Chapter 25
DANIEL
The sisters I was warned to avoid are waiting for us when we pull onto the property.
Spring has her arms crossed over her chest while standing on the steps of the back porch as if she has a bone to pick. Winter has a beekeeper’s helmet tucked under her arm, looking like we’re holding her day up.
I scan the area for Autumn and Dolly. I spot Autumn, but Dolly is missing, which is out of the ordinary.
An ambush?
I’m not scared of anyone my size, or even bigger. But women, especially when they’re amassing, make me a little nervous.
I finally spot Autumn at the far side of the yard, where my son is currently flying off a swing ten feet in the air.
I can handle having a tooth knocked out, getting a bloody nose, or a broken bone. When it comes to my son, I prefer him in one piece and the way he was when I left him. Not that I can blame the Season Sisters. He’s clearly been working on his dismount for the past two days while we were gone.
I exhale when he lands it.
Roman comes running to the car as soon as I park and cut the engine.
I open the door just in time to catch him jumping into my arms. In the city, he usually smells of the soap used to wash his school uniform.
Out here, I pick up the subtle scent of sweat and adventures he’s had playing outdoors.
He’s getting the childhood I want for him. “Hey buddy, missed you.”
“Missed you, too, Daddy.”
Summer comes around with the garment bag protecting her dress in one hand and rubs Roman’s back with the other. “Good to see you, big guy.”
With his legs still wrapped around me, Roman leans over to hug her and rest his head on her shoulder. “I’m glad you’re back.” Popping back up, he giggles. “I got good at jumping off the swing.”
“I saw. You were really high.”
I set him down, and he dashes to the house. “Time for sweet tea,” he announces from the porch like his last name is Season and not Sutton. Seeing him happy always overrules my sensitive ego.
Opening the trunk, I pull our bags from it. Summer says, “They know.”
I look up, not sure what the hell she’s referring to. “Who knows what?”
“My sisters. They know about New York.”
Her eyes stay on her sisters, who haven’t so much as said hi, much less greeted us in any form. I can’t even say I’ve seen a smile out of even one of them. After shutting the trunk, I grab the handles of the luggage. “It’s not a surprise. We told them we were going.”
“Nuh-uh. They know.” She whispers, “Everything. We all have a sixth sense when it comes to each other. You can’t keep secrets in this family.”
I’m learning that, as level-headed as Summer is, her imagination gets away with her sometimes. I’m not sure if I should encourage it, but when in Rome . . . “What secret were we trying to keep?”
We start walking toward the house. Out of the side of her mouth, she whispers, “They know about—”
“That must have been some getaway,” Spring says.
All three hold up their phones with a different gossip page on each screen.
Oh that . . . Not so much a secret since I knew we’d make headlines, but I can see how it might have come as a surprise to someone not in the loop.
Or three specific someones used to being all in their oldest sister’s business all the time.
Winter’s looking at me when she asks, “Want to fill us in?”
Our bags in my hands, I give the firing squad my best paparazzi grin, hoping I live to kiss Summer again. “Did I mention I play hockey?”
“Nope,” Spring replies, sitting down as she shoots Summer a fire-fueled look. “Neither did our sister.”
Summer takes the first step. “I thought you already knew.” Defensively, jabbing her chest, she says, “I was the only one in complete darkness when it came to Daniel.”
Winter shifts, sets her hat on the steps, and moves to stand near Autumn. “We knew because we use this thing called the internet.” Her sarcasm is on point.
I shrug, glancing at Summer. “She has a point. It is odd you didn’t know who I was.”
“Wow.” She’s shaking her head as she ascends the steps. “They turn on you so quickly.” When she reaches the top, she turns back with a big grin on her face. “As fun as this is to tease me, the event was at the last minute. I have to tell you about the princess treatment.”
Autumn sweeps in and takes the garment bag off Summer’s hands. “Can I borrow this dress? It will be perfect for a charity event that the hospital has coming up.” I’m assuming the question is rhetorical since she’s already walking away.
Standing up, Spring dusts her backside off.
“I’ll admit,” she starts, looking at her phone again, “you look beautiful, sis.” When she glances between us, her expression morphs into her usually sunnier disposition.
“You guys really do make a stunning couple.” Coming down the steps, she shoots me a doe-eyed look as she passes.
“And if you have any teammates that like small-town girls, you know where to find me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind next time I see the team.”
She says, “Oh, especially that number twenty-four. He’s hot.”
Twenty-four? “Dave Mackley?” Summer and I look over our shoulders at her. I say, “He’s engaged.”
Spinning, she laughs. “He’s not married yet.”
“Spring Lily!” Summer snaps. “That’s terrible.” Annoyance tugs her brows together, and she rolls her eyes.
“Double-naming me? I really struck a nerve. Anyway, I’m just kidding,” Spring starts laughing again. “I’d be okay with thirty-seven.” Apparently, she’s memorized the entire Breakaways roster. “And I already confirmed he’s single.”
“LeBeaux is an asshole. No way would I do that to you.”
Her arms fly from her sides with car keys in one hand. “Maybe I’ll just stick to guys in the tri-county area. Gotta run.” Walking backward, she smiles. “And welcome back, lovebirds.”
Summer says, “I’m starving, unless you two want to have fun at our expense?” Her tone is light, and I love seeing her so happy.
Autumn says, “I’m good.”
With her hands up in surrender, Winter adds, “I’m good as well. Jealous, but good.” Hooking her arm with Summer, she starts dragging her inside. “Now tell me everything. Do they shout your name on the red carpet? Did you meet any celebrities?”
“Oh my God, I met Brad Pitt . . .” she replies before the screen door closes. The man could be my father, and she’s drooling over him like he’s, well, like he’s me.
The screech of the door opening again has me looking up. “I forgot to tell you something, Daniel.”
“How you picture Brad Pitt in your head when we’re making love?” I deadpan. “That’s why you come so fast?”
She laughs as she crosses the porch to me. “You know none of that is true. Why would I have to imagine him when I have my very own heartthrob?” Wrapping her arms around my neck, she hugs me. “But I did forget to tell you what an amazing time I had in New York with you.”
Having an apartment to ourselves, having her to myself spoiled me in ways I didn’t expect.
“I did too.” She fits so perfectly into my world like a puzzle piece that’s been missing.
She’s exposed the cracks in a world I thought I had built of steel, that was supposed to be impenetrable.
The dad, the player, the man—she’s exposed that I’m also human and need more than air, water, and hockey to survive.
I need her. “It was nice being just the two of us.”
She’s brought parts of me back to life that have been dormant for years.
This place and her family bring her to life.
Bridging our lives won’t be simple, but it will be a masterpiece when it’s done.
Rising onto her toes, she kisses me, but holds my face in her hands afterward while her eyes search mine. “And I love you. Three words Brad Pitt will never hear from me.”
“I like that. Both parts.” Jealousy misplaced. Look at my girl choosing me over that other guy who we shall not name anymore. “I love you, too, Sunshine.”
Reaching for a bag, she says, “I can help, you know?”
“Got it covered, and I’m right behind you.”
My phone rings. It’s the ringtone that didn’t disturb us in the city.
My agent sent plenty of texts, but he was smart enough not to call.
“I’m going to take this first.” She nods before returning to the house.
I set the baggage down on the porch and walk toward the water for this conversation. “Hey, Jimmy.”
“What’s going on, Daniel?” What I used to consider happy to be working with me now sounds like an effort to sell me a lemon of a used car. “How’s summer treating you?”
I cover the last few steps before stopping and staring ahead. “Listen, I know you saw the event coverage.”
“I did. That’s quite the spitfire on your arm. Red-hot candy.”
My blood shoots straight to boiling. “Watch your mouth, Jimmy. She’s not arm candy. She’s my girlfriend.”
“Oh whoa, whoa. Didn’t know you were dating anyone. Apologies.” He’s so fucking slimy, every word spoken is faker than the previous. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. Or maybe I ignored it since he’s good at his job. “I can meet her on the Fourth. I think the owners will be happy—”
“I don’t give a shit about the owners when it comes to my personal life.”
“I hear you. I hear you loud and clear, buddy. I want to touch base with you. We’re going into negotiations at the end of July and—”
“We aren’t.”
There’s a pause, and a buzz as he says, “Hm.” Voices pull my attention back to the house where the three sisters are talking with Roman in the mix.
Winter grabs her beekeeper’s hat, and Summer waves before they head toward the woods.
The woods past the shed, where I was forbidden in rule number two?
“Yeah, it’s right here on the calendar. July thirty-first. Ten a.m.”