Chapter 11 #2
We get out of the shower and get dressed in comfortable clothes. By the time we’re heading out to meet everyone, the parking lot is bustling with fans, but security clears a path for us toward the family area.
Leila’s the first one I see, with Knox and Riven standing beside her, and Jagger. Fuck, Jagger sees Levi and immediately opens his arms wide, ready to hug him. Levi groans from beside me.
“Levi! My man!” Jagger shouts, closing the distance and wrapping Levi in a hug that lifts him slightly off the ground. “I am sooo sorry about punching you in the face.”
Levi groans, squirming in Jagger’s grip. “Get off me, asshole.”
I suck my lips into my mouth, trying not to laugh. Any sudden noise could turn him on me, and while I don’t mind Holt in small doses, I do not want him hugging me in public.
“Why did you marry this guy?” Levi demands, looking at Leila over Jagger’s shoulder. “Seriously. What were you thinking?”
“He’s very charming when he’s not being a complete idiot,” Leila says, smiling at her husband.
Jagger finally releases Levi and turns to me with that cocky grin. “Good game out there, Kane. Respect.”
“Thanks,” I say as my eyes find Abby. She’s standing slightly off to the side, looking amused by the whole scene. “Where are the twins?”
“With Aspen and Arlo,” Leila says. “They wanted to keep them for the night. It gives us a chance to come to the game and celebrate.”
“Are you sure they’re safe?” Abby asks, raising her eyebrow. “I can’t imagine Ridge wanting to be anywhere near Lyra and Lawson. That pompous asshole would probably bore them to tears talking about how to become a self-made millionaire.”
“They’re very safe with Aspen and Arlo,” Leila reassures Abby.
Jagger throws an arm around Leila’s waist. “Come on, let’s go eat—I’m starving. All that punching takes it out of a guy.”
We head to a restaurant that’s used to hosting athletes, where we are shown to a private booth and given our menus.
“So,” Jagger says, looking at the menu, but he is clearly more interested in talking. “Levi, did you know that when you threw that punch, your face got all scrunched up like an angry potato? It was adorable.”
“Shut the fuck up, Jagger,” Levi shoots back.
Abby tries to hide her smile before jumping in. “I agree with Jagger—he really did look like an angry potato.”
“Traitor!” Levi exclaims, pointing at her.
“I’m just telling you how it is,” Abby says, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Your face was all twisted up. It was hilarious.”
Jagger looks absolutely delighted. “See, this is why I love Abby. She gets me.”
Leila adjusts her necklace and shoots Jagger a look. “You two are terrible influences on each other.”
Jagger grins. “We just appreciate the art of roasting.”
“The twins are going to end up just like you two,” Leila says, shaking her head.
“And they’ll be awesome,” Abby jokes. “Honestly, I think Lyra’s already mastered eye rolls. She learned them from watching me.”
Knox changes the subject. “Landon, that first goal was solid. Nice footwork.”
“Very graceful,” Jagger adds. “Almost balletic.”
“Did you call me balletic?” I ask.
“I did. There’s nothing wrong with being elegant on the ice.”
Abby laughs. “Oh my god, Jagger, you’re insufferable. I love it.”
“Thank you,” Jagger says, taking it as a compliment. “I work hard at it. And you know what else? The twins are going to think I’m the coolest dad alive.”
“The bar is on the ground,” Levi mutters.
“And you’re still struggling to reach it,” I add.
“By the time they’re five, Lyra’s going to be asking to go everywhere with me,” he insists.
The food arrives just in time to shut him up after that comment, and for several moments there’s peace. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long.
“You know what’s interesting?” Jagger says, mouth half full of food. “Landon played really well. Almost as if he was trying to impress someone.”
I freeze, my fork halfway to my mouth.
“Shut up, Jagger,” Levi says.
“I’m just saying, he kept looking at the stands.”
Abby leans forward with interest. “Really? Which area?”
“Where a certain beautiful woman in a fishing shirt was sitting,” Jagger says with a smirk.
“Oh my god, you’re an idiot.” Abby laughs, but she also looks at me. “You were playing well. I forgot how much I enjoyed watching you all play.”
“I was playing well because it was our first game with the Cyclones,” I say defensively. “That’s all.”
“Suuure.” Jagger grins. “That’s definitely all it was.”
Riven clears his throat. “Either way, good hockey. That’s what matters.”
By the time dessert is finished, Leila gets everyone’s attention.
“I have an announcement,” she says. “And I wanted everyone here.”
The table goes quiet, and everyone turns their attention to her.
“I’m pregnant,” she announces, her hand moving to her stomach.
Jagger lets out a whoop of excitement, pulling Leila close and kissing her deeply. Riven grins like an idiot, leaning over to press a kiss to her temple. Knox’s eyes light up, and he reaches for her hand, squeezing it like she gave him the best news of his life.
Abby jumps up from her seat with a squeal, nearly knocking over her chair, and throws her arms around Leila, bouncing up and down like she’s the one who’s pregnant.
“Oh my god! Oh my god! Congratulations!” Abby shrieks, hugging Leila so hard I’m worried she might hurt the baby.
Levi leans back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Please tell me this one’s not Jagger’s,” he says, shaking his head. “Two of his crotch gremlins are enough. I can’t handle a third one running around causing chaos.”
“Crotch gremlins?” Jagger turns to look at Levi, mock offended.
“You heard me,” Levi says with a shit-eating grin, though he loves those kids and they love him just as much.
Riven catches my eye across the table and grins, and I smile back.
Another addition to this chaotic, beautiful family.
As much as it pains me to admit, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I am glad things with Abby are better, as not seeing her at family events the last few years was pure torture.
Because she is a part of this family, even if we are no longer together.