Chapter 29 #2
“Rehab, but close enough. She works with the endangered animals in our area, but ends up taking care of everything with a heartbeat.”
He tucked a curl around my ear. “Guess the Valentine sisters both have big hearts.”
“Maybe.” I looped Mouse’s leash around my hand and we went over to the lion’s den. My brother’s crew were in a circle with an iPad blaring either a game or a highlight reel. They were forever picking apart games whether it was in season or not.
Mouse’s nose was working overtime with the plates of food everywhere.
Jack’s freckled face split into a wide grin when he saw Mouse. “Hey, Phee. Who’s your friend.”
“Jack meet Mouse. He will try to con you out of everything on that plate.”
Jack handed the plate to Cutter. “Hold this.”
“I’m watching the game, man.” Cutter didn’t look away from the screen, but held onto the plate.
I released the leash and Mouse went right to Jack to accept all the love.
I made introductions, but Dutch’s eyes started to glaze over when I got to the fourth one.
It didn’t really matter, none of them did much more than give him a brief nod before they erupted into yells.
A few were pissed, while the others crowed.
My brother, less than enthused with the outcome, pushed himself out of his chair. “Hey, Flower Power. How’s it going?”
I hugged him. “Happy Birthday.”
“Thanks.” He nodded to Dutch. “Who’s this?”
“Keaton, meet Dutch. He’s my boyfriend, be nice.”
“Boyfriend? Since when?” Keaton didn’t offer a hand. His eyes were already unfocused. The beer had definitely been flowing. “You that guy who paid a zillion dollars to live on the lake?”
Dutch shrugged. “My publisher did.”
Keaton snorted. “Must be nice, rich boy. Way to go, Flower. Get your bag.”
“Keaton!”
“What? Good for you. You should get to visit easy street for once. Glad one of us can.” He flicked one of my curls.
He narrowed his eyes on Dutch. “Hurt my sister and I’ll make sure no one finds your body.
” He gave Dutch’s shoulder a tap as he staggered around him to the tent where the coolers were.
I sighed. I hoped being around his friends would have kept Keaton from being an asshole for one day. “Sorry about him.”
“No need to be sorry. I could have been him.” He lifted our linked hands to his lips. “I’m the lucky one. Does your family have any idea how successful you are on your own?”
I shrugged. “We don’t really discuss it.” I led him away from the rowdy guys. Mouse seemed in his element and I was pretty sure he was going to clean up on the unattended plates. “They worry more about Keaton than us.”
“That’s bullshit.”
I laughed. “We’re used to it. Life revolved around Keaton when he was the rising hockey star of our town. My mom was just as obsessed with his career. I’m pretty sure Liberty’s first steps were actually on the ice.”
“They did realize they had other kids, right?”
“It was the Keaton show. We were just the supporting cast.” I linked my arm through his. “Why I’m so close to Liberty. I made sure she knew there was life beyond the rink. She’s a helluva goalie though.”
“And you?”
“I’m chaos on the ice. Small and fast.” I led him around the edge of our family property. As the sounds of the party faded, I realized how much I preferred my quiet life with Dutch and Mouse. “I never loved the endless games and travel. Hockey season is legit the longest season of any sport.”
“Phoebe!”
I turned at the sound of my mom’s voice. She waved us in. “Looks like it’s time to eat.”
We crossed the wide field of grass to where everyone was already seated at the picnic tables. We managed to sit between Lance and Liberty and got a bite of antipasto. Lance gave me a rueful smile as he passed over the burned hotdogs on cold buns.
My brothers and his friends had demolished all the catered food as usual.
Dutch seemed to be able to make conversation with everyone except my mother. She couldn’t pull herself away from the hockey guys. I was pretty sure she was trying to convince them to do a few hockey camps with the youth team.
Like usual, I ended up on the cleaning crew. Dutch jumped in to help without complaint. Pretty soon we had the leftovers wrapped up, not that there was much to speak of. My brothers, Liberty, and Keaton’s friends ended up transitioning into a poker night as the sun set.
Dutch and I were finishing up in the kitchen when my mother finally came in.
“Oh, there you two are. I thought you left.”
“Nope. Been here all night.” I scrubbed the counter a little more forcefully than needed.
“Don’t be difficult Phoebe. We’ve got a lot of guests.” She leaned against the kitchen island. “We haven’t gotten to talk much, Dutch. Are you settling into Haven?”
“Yes. I’m fascinated with the lake’s lore. It’s been great inspiration for the book I’m working on.”
“Lance mentioned it to me that you’re something of a celebrity.”
“Something?” I pressed my lips together and forced myself to spread the cloth over the edge of the sink instead of chucking it at my mother’s head.
“I don’t know much about authors. Well, other than a few hockey romances I’ve tried. They don’t usually get the game right, however. What do you write?”
“Psychological horror and thrillers.”
“Oh.” My mother’s eyebrows rose. “I suppose between the two of you there might be a modest enough income. I was hoping Phoebe would eventually grow out of her little drawings. It’s a good hobby, but not sustainable for a real future.”
My mouth dropped open. She could say what she wanted about my work, but I’d be damned if she insulted Dutch.
He touched my lower back. “I’m not sure where you’ve gotten your information about your daughter, but her career is well past modest. She’s done three major installations in as many months right in this town, not to mention the hotel restaurant at one of the Adirondack resorts.
She’s booked through the summer already and has her pick of projects because she’s beyond talented. ”
My mother’s mouth thinned. “I don’t need you to tell me about my daughter’s accomplishments.”
“You sure about that? Seems the only accomplished child in your eyes wears skates and those are tarnished. I watched you ignore everyone but Keaton all afternoon. Not only do I love your daughter beyond measure, but I’m so proud of her that she leaves me in awe every damn day.
You’re missing out on a lot Mrs. Valentine, but I’ll be sure to show her how amazing she is for the rest of my life. ”
He pulled me into his side and I was so shocked I couldn’t form a coherent thought, let alone words.
“I appreciate your hospitality today, but I’m going to see myself out before I say something that would harm whatever relationship we can salvage. I learned the hard way not to take anything for granted. I hope you will too.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll go grab Mouse.”
I nodded mutely.
“What the hell was that?” My mother’s voice was icy.
“That’s a man who puts me first. I gotta say it feels really good.” When she didn’t say anything, I had to let it go. I wasn’t sure she’d ever willingly own up to the tunnel vision she had for Keaton.
When I got to the back door she finally spoke.
“He needed me more than you ever did.”
I turned back to her. “Keaton needs to stand on his own. He acts like an entitled prick because you allow it.” I hurried out the door. The raucous laughter from the poker table wasn’t where I wanted to be.
I hurried around the side of the house and found Dutch standing out front with Mouse’s leash in his hand. I ran to him and threw myself into his arms. He caught me, just like always. “No one has ever said anything like that about me.”
“Then I’m damn happy to be the first and the last.”
“I love you, Dutch. More than I could convey in all the colors of my arsenal.”
He set me down and framed my face in his hands. “I love you too. Every dark corner in my life has been lit up because of you. I’m looking forward to the future for the first time in my life.”
Mouse wiggled between us and we both laughed.
“Because of you too.” Dutch ruffled his ears.
I wrapped my arm around his back. “Let’s go home.”