32 #2
The guy never gets angry, or at least never shows it.
Something about the energy coming off him says he’s not so much angry, but protective.
The protectiveness that comes from loving someone so much it scares you.
When I think about the feisty redhead in the other room and the life she’s carrying, I totally understand how he feels.
I’ve always respected Hunter for the devotion he has for his baby sister, and now that he sees me as a threat to her happiness, I can only imagine what’s coming and brace for impact.
He shuts his eyes, takes a deep breath, then shoves away from the door, stepping toward me. “You know I’m not a violent man. And you know I love you like a brother.”
“I know that, Hunt. And I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.”
He nods, then reaches around me and grabs a set of Japanese Baoding balls off a shelf, twirling them in his palm. “I’ll be honest. You two lying to me is probably what hurts the most. You blindsided me.”
I place a hand on his shoulder, but when he glares at it with fire in his eyes, I regret it and slowly pull it away.
“That was never our intention. We’ve been…
It’s sort of…” I squeeze my eyes shut, unsure how to say this.
Unsure of how much to tell him. “That’s all on me.
She wanted to tell you sooner,” I lie. Maxine insisted on waiting, and had the opportunity not presented itself tonight, I’d have continued keeping it a secret for her sake. But I’ll take the blame for her, too.
He exhales hard through his nose, his eyes never leaving mine. The balls knock together like some intense metronome, ramping up the tension.
“The thing is, Mitch, and I don’t mean to hurt you by saying this, but you’ve always been a drifter. I trust you with most things, but I’m not sure I can trust you with my sister’s heart.”
There’s kindness in his blue gaze, and that’s what I hold on to despite the hurt that echoes through my chest hearing my best friend speak those words.
I nod, dropping my gaze to the wooden floor.
“I get it. Hockey does that,” he goes on. “One contract ends, another one starts. New team, new life. But Max—” His voice catches slightly. “Max is rooted here. She’s not going anywhere.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Hearing his doubt, knowing he won’t give us his blessing is probably the last thing I expected, but I respect his hesitation.
“How the hell am I supposed to believe that one day you won’t get another offer and disappear? Leave her here. Leave the baby.”
My brow sinks because now he’s just being mean. “I told you, I’m done with that life,” I say.
Hunter scoffs. “You say that now, but eventually, the game will call you back. You’ll need it.”
I shake my head. “No, I won’t,” I insist.
“How can you be sure?”
I think of the house by the sea. The way the windows rattle when storms roll in.
The quiet mornings and the smell of coffee drifting in the air.
Maxine’s laugh when I tickle her. The days waking with her in our bed by my side, her small hands on my skin, the way she kisses my temple and whispers, “Good morning.”
There’s nothing like it.
“Oakwhite has slowed me down,” I explain.
“It’s made me see things I never noticed before.
Like, who knew I actually enjoy fixing things?
I like knowing my neighbors. I like being close to you all.
Waking up every day and not wondering where I’ll be the next week.
The next month. A year from now. It’s where I belong. ”
Hunter studies me, his brow furrowed. “And what about Max? How does she fit into this?”
I don’t hesitate. “She keeps me grounded, Hunt. She calls me out when I’m full of shit. And she believes in me even when I don’t. She always has. It just took me way too long to see it.”
His shoulders ease a fraction, but he still looks doubtful. He’s not convinced.
“Hunter, I’ve loved her since we were kids, but I kept it a secret,” I admit quietly.
“And I already adore that baby. I’ll never need the game the same way I need your sister.
The way I need them both.” I grip his shoulder and meet his eyes.
“You know me better than anyone. You can trust me on this.”
Silence stretches between us, serious but not bitter.
Finally, Hunter claps a hand on my shoulder. “And if you ever leave her,” he warns, “I don’t care how big you are, I’ll—”
“I won’t.”
“And if ever you hurt her,” he continues, his voice low, “I will end you.”
Hunter is as peaceful as they come. He’s always been kind and mild-tempered. And I guess that’s why his threat feels so much more severe than anyone else’s would.
“That’s fair,” I reply.
He tucks his tongue into his cheek, considering, then grins. “Then you have my blessing.”
Relief crashes through me so fast my knees almost buckle. He pulls me into a hug, and I don’t think I’ve ever hugged him back so hard.
“I love you, man,” he says.
A laugh forces itself out of my lungs, releasing any lingering stress. “Love you, too.”
Later, when everyone is chilling by the fireplace with filled bellies and filled cups, Max finds me outside on the back steps.
“Hey, you.” She hands me a new beer and slides into my arms as if she’s always belonged there. “You doing okay?” she asks softly.
I take a deep breath of fall air and release it, then kiss her temple. “I am now.”
“Seems Hunter took the news pretty well.”
“Yeah, I told you he would,” I say, earning her elbow in my side.
“You did not,” she answers while I chuckle.
“Okay, I was a little worried. But you know how he is? Hunter just wants us all to be happy.”
She shakes her head. “Fucking hippie.”
“Whoa, careful, you’re starting to sound like Spencer.”
“Well, shit. Guess it’s time for us to leave, then.” She drops her head onto my shoulder and releases a contented sigh, then wraps her arms around my waist.
I’m so fucking comfortable. I could sit here with her all night and take in the soft breeze, and stare out at the beautiful garden. For the first time since I left Oakwhite for college, I don’t feel like I need to run away from anything. Or that I don’t quite fit in.
Maxine shivers in my arms.
“Are you ready to get going?” I ask.
Smiling, she looks up, her arched eyebrow hinting at one thing. “More than ready.”
I feather her lips with mine. “Okay. Let’s go home.”