26. Cal
Chapter twenty-six
Cal
Being stuck at home on crutches for the next week wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but there was an infinite amount of things I’d rather be doing.
Breaking down boxes for recycling.
Scrubbing the bathtub with a toothbrush.
Cleaning the gutters with a fork.
Changing a flat tire blindfolded.
Not to be dramatic or anything.
Although . . . it was nice having Noelle around. She insisted on continuing to nanny Khia because, well, mobility was an issue. Watching her with my daughter did things to my heart. Khia lit up in a whole new way, and Noelle looked at my girl with so much affection I had to catch my breath.
The first afternoon, Noelle spoiled us with her millionaire shortbread bars.
I groaned at the first bite, not even caring Coach might have a few things to say about my current eating habits. I was an injured man, and Noelle was an amazing cook. You do the math. I wasn’t turning down anything.
“I’ve missed these.” I snagged another one off the plate after polishing off the first in two bites.
Noelle flushed with pleasure. “I haven’t made them in ages. And making them gluten-free can change the taste.”
“Nah, they’re perfect. And I hate to admit it, but the Brits got one thing right when it came to dessert.”
“Careful, they might revoke your American card,” she teased.
I laughed, but when I shifted on the stool at the counter, it ended in a grunt. I should probably elevate my leg again.
Despite how I tried to hide the wince, Noelle spotted it like she had a pain radar. And maybe she did.
“More meds?” she asked, scanning the small whiteboard on the kitchen wall with a list of times I’d taken painkillers.
“Yeah,” I agreed reluctantly.
“Daddy, can I have another one?” Khia asked, chocolate smeared on her cheek.
I swiped it clean with my thumb. “One more.”
Noelle slid a glass of water and a few pills across the counter. “You should probably put more ice on now.”
I sighed, glancing longingly at the sweets. “Yes, ma’am.”
She rolled her eyes but came around to my side of the counter, easing an arm around my waist as she helped me towards the couch.
Did I want her to have to help me? No. But if it meant I got to be this close to her?
Well, no complaints. I tried to discreetly sniff her hair without being a creep.
Because sniffing hair was weird, right? But her coconut shampoo smelled amazing and haunted my dreams after last night’s hug on her porch.
Halfway to the couch, a sharp knock rapped at the door, followed by a “Hello?”
Greyson.
“Come on in!” I hollered. My house was the new communication central apparently.
All morning my family had been blowing up my phone with messages and offers of help.
Muchly appreciated, fam, but we were good.
Except now, they’d sent in the sniffer dog to ferret out if I was lying.
I loved my family, but, man, were they nosy.
Noelle’s shoulders stiffened under my arm. Oops. I was used to having my brother drop in unannounced, but I’d momentarily forgotten about The Feud.
“Sorry,” I murmured. “I didn’t know he was coming by.”
Noelle offered a tight smile full of steely resolve. “It’s fine.”
Her mantra. I hated those two words, but there was no time to argue; Greyson was already staring at us.
“Is it a bad time?” he asked gruffly.
Well, I couldn’t exactly say Yes, now go away. Could I? Nah. Greyson would just have to deal with it.
“Uncle Grey!” Khia saved us all by running towards him.
He swung her up. “Hey, Princess.”
“I helped Miss Noelle make dessert, and she’s taking care of Daddy.”
I lowered myself onto the sofa, and Noelle waited until I was situated to prop a pillow under my knee.
“I’ll grab the ice,” she murmured, and hurried to the kitchen. Not that it was much protection since it was an open-floor concept with no walls to hide behind, but maybe putting the island between her and my stormy-faced twin had its merits.
I sighed. “Why are you here, Grey?”
“Checking to see if you needed anything.”
Called it.
When Khia started to wiggle, Greyson set her down. “I was heading to the store.”
“You could have texted,” I pointed out.
“I did. You could have answered.”
I frowned, glancing around for my phone.
Noelle handed it to me along with the ice pack. Greyson watched us silently, that wrinkle between his eyebrows deepening. Right. He had opinions and was keeping an eye on us.
I unlocked my phone, and sure enough, he had texted. “Sorry. Yeah, there’s a grocery list on the fridge.”
“Oh, I was going to do that,” Noelle quickly offered.
Greyson grunted. “I got it.” He slipped into the kitchen and snatched it from under the magnet. He scanned it quickly. “I’ll drop them off later.”
Code for: we’re going to talk when you don’t have an audience.
Oh, goodie.
“How are you feeling?” Greyson asked, studying me intently.
I shrugged. “Like I’m thirty-two and not twenty.” When he arched an eyebrow, I flashed an exaggerated grin. “Lighten up. I’ll be back on the ice and ready to take you in a match in no time.”
His eyes narrowed. “In your dreams.” He clapped my shoulder and turned to leave.
“I made millionaire shortbread bars”—Noelle motioned to the plate on the coffee table—“if you want one.”
Greyson’s face could have won a statue award.
Not even a blink. But I knew my brother.
He wanted to refuse the offer with every fiber of his being, but those mini morsels were gold, luring him to accept.
In fact, they were his favourite. Something Noelle knew.
She used to bake him a tray for his birthday every year.
Our birthday technically, but he never shared them with me.
Every second he hesitated, Noelle deflated. And as much as I loved my brother, I hated seeing her shrink even more.
Determined to save her, I jumped up, wincing at the jar to my knee. Greyson didn’t expect my sudden motion, giving me the upper hand to snatch the plate. I shook them tauntingly. “All mine, brother.”
Greyson’s eyes narrowed. Excellent, I’d engaged the laser-focused competitive Grey. He’d be fighting me for these babies now. Simply because I had them. Sibling rivalry at its finest.
Of course, I forgot I was currently Hopalong Cassidy.
Greyson bounded over the couch in one smooth jump—show-off—and swiped the plate from me in two ridiculously long strides.
Khia giggled, and Noelle smiled. Oh well. If I was going to look the fool, it might as well be for a good cause. And her smile was worth it.
Greyson grunted between bites. “They’re good, thanks.”
Noelle lit up like an Easy-Bake Oven. Food might be the way to a man’s heart, but note to self: words of affirmation were the way to Noelle’s.
Mission accomplished. But I wanted my snacks back.
I snagged the plate from him. “You’ll have to visit me again if you want more.”
He shot me a withering frown. “Some of us have jobs.”
“Sounds like a you problem, big bro.” I shrugged and shoved another bar in my mouth for good measure, groaning. “Thesearedivine.”
“Daddy, don’t talk with your mouth full!” Khia sassed.
Greyson rubbed a hand over his mouth, hiding the smile, and Noelle chuckled.
I sighed dramatically. “You’re right, kiddo.” I winked at Noelle. “These are divine.”
She flushed bright pink, and satisfaction rolled through me, knowing I was responsible for that.
Amusement gone, Greyson grunted. “I have to head out.”
Khia scampered over and demanded a hug.
He swung her up easily, his flinty expression easing, and a small sliver of me twinged. Greyson was great with her. With all his nieces and nephews. He didn’t talk about it much, but I knew it cut him and Paisley both up that they weren’t able to have kids. They’d be incredible parents.
After peppering her cheeks with kisses and promising to come back soon, Greyson set her down and nodded at me. “See you later.”
“Wait!” Noelle hurried after him to the door, holding an olive branch of the buttery, chocolatey morsels. The little traitor, those were my snacks. “Here.”
He accepted the container slowly. “Thanks.”
She smiled, but he didn’t return it. Simply nodded and strode out the door.
“Hey.” I hobbled over to her, nudging her shoulder. “Don’t let him bother you. He’s just an uptight ostrich who needs to pull his head out of the sand.”
She shook her head. “He’s right not to trust me.”
“Self-deprecation doesn’t look good on you, sweetheart.”
She shot me a look.
“There’s my girl.” I winked at her. “And don’t worry about Grey.
He’ll come around. He’s . . .” I trailed off, not quite willing to spill my brother’s secrets.
Even when we were little, he’d always been protective.
But in the last few years, it had gotten worse.
Losing his buddy Liam on a mission overseas during his last deployment five years ago had started it, and Paisley’s accident this summer had brought it out in full force.
He was right to be protective, but his ire was misplaced.
Not being able to fix something killed him. Which gave me an idea.
“How do you feel about bribery?” I asked.
Noelle blinked at me. “What?”
“Bribery. You know, the action of influencing someone to your side with money or some other bargaining chip.”
“I know what bribery is, Cap. You perfected it into an art form when it came to me and tacos.”
“Yes, well, how about you use that brilliant logic on my brother. Your millionaire shortbread bars are something he can’t say no to.”
“You want me to bribe a retired Marine with baked goods? Don’t they have some sort of training about that? How To Not Be Taken In By A Bribe 101?”
“I think that’s the police.” I waved a hand. “Besides, if there’s one thing about Satterfields, it’s that we can absolutely be bribed with food. Ask Jules. She lives for my pancakes.”
“Uncle Grey’s are better!” Khia said, without looking up from her colouring book.
I shook my head. Kids—they kept you humble. “I’ll convince her of the truth one of these days. So, what do you say? Ready to win him over?”