Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Jacob
“I see that you got the attention of the two older Bennett brothers.” Duncan juts his chin toward the bleachers where Becca and two young men are sitting.
The burning sensation in my gut eases a bit, only to be replaced with shame at the jealous thoughts running through my head. Of course, those are her sons. My gaze drifts to the bleachers to see them glaring at me. Not undeserved, considering the way I was acting a few minutes ago.
“And I’m pretty sure that J.T. ‘The Jet’ Thornton is not living up to their expectations after they caught you checking out their mother.”
Heat creeps up my neck, and I pinch the bridge of my nose. Great. Just great. Nothing like having the sons of the woman you think you want to date hating you. “What do you mean?”
“Caleb, their dad, was a huge fan of yours. I bet the incentive for them to be here was more to meet you than to watch their younger brother practice. Speaking of Steven,” Duncan bobs his head toward the kid working his tail off on the ice. “He looks great.”
Steven continues to run through the Puck Punisher, and seeing him nail it, I have to agree. I know he’s exhausted, and yet he’s out there like he could go another round. When he finishes that last movement, I call him over.
“Great job tonight, Bennett. Your footwork is much better. Your breakout routes are less predictable, not to mention if I didn’t know what your weak side was, I’d have to really study you to figure it out.”
A small speck of pride crosses Steven’s eye, and when he looks at his other coach, Duncan nods. A satisfied grin lifted the corner of his mouth. “Go ahead, grab some water, and take your gear off. We’re done for tonight.”
“Got a soft spot for the kid, huh, Denier?” I say as I lean against the boards and watch Steven skate toward the bench, shoulders slumped. Turning to Duncan, there’s a proud look on his face.
“Just one of the boys on my team,” he grunts before pushing up and walking over toward Scarlett.
Shaking my head and recalling the brute he was on the ice, I can’t help but chuckle. I would’ve never believed the man who was once one of the fiercest goalies in the NHL is now a mush.
“Daddy!” Three kids scream almost simultaneously, and my focus shifts to see Duncan’s movie star wife, a wide smile on her face, and his kids running over to him. He lifts the two girls up, their giggles echoing throughout the rink, all the while his son hangs on his leg, cackling.
When he greets his wife, a pang of jealousy grips my chest at the sight of them, and for the first time in decades, I regret not settling down. My gaze moves toward Becca, only to find her two older sons scowling at me, and a painful swallow works its way down my throat.
Becca and I have had a snippet of a conversation about the past, but not one about feelings. I have no clue if she forgives me, or even still feels anything for me. I mean, she didn’t even remember me before I walked into The Bleacher Bean last week. What if I’m the only one wanting more?
Running a hand along my chin, I pull in a deep breath, attempting to calm my nerves. I’ve dealt with hostile fans before, and I know how to de-escalate a situation. The only difference is that I’ve never wanted to impress any of them as much as I want the good opinions of her sons.
Watching her two hulking boys glare at me, my pulse thunders against my chest. Looking for support, my eyes are drawn to the one person I know in this equation: Becca. She shrugs as if to say she doesn’t have any control over this.
Blowing out a breath, I smile at Miles and Wyatt, only to have them walk past me like I’m not even there. Becca’s hand flies to her mouth, her hazel eyes sparkling.
This is worse than I thought.
“I’m so sorry,” she giggles, pink tinting her cheeks, making the green in her hazel eyes pop. “Apparently, Wyatt and Miles are a tad overprotective.”
Turning my head to find them teasing Steven, I narrow my eyes and throw a thumb over my shoulder. “Those two? Never would’ve guessed it.”
Becca leans in, and her sweet scent surrounds me. I’m torn between wanting to pull her closer and backing away, terrified the boys will see how close we are. I quickly glance over my shoulder to check if they’re watching, and blow out a sigh of relief when I find they aren’t.
“They’re harmless,” she whispers, her eyes dancing. “But watching you squirm is kind of fun.”
“What did I do that’s causing this reaction?”
“They caught you checking me out.” My brows shoot up, and she grins.
“Oh, wonderful,” I groan, scrubbing my face. “I guess that’s one way to get your boys to hate me.”
“Do you care?”
My hand freezes, and my eyes find hers. Staring back at me is a vulnerability I remember from when we were younger, and a question that begs to be answered. My heart leaps. “I’d want nothing more than to gain your boy’s approval, Becs.”
She glances up at me through her lashes, and a lopsided grin crosses her mouth.
“Mom,” Wyatt says, stepping in between us and backing me up. “Miles and I talked to Steven, and we all want to head to Moretti’s for dinner. It’s—”
“Tradition,” I chuckle, finding Becca’s eyes and acknowledging she wasn’t teasing me when we went there last week.
When I glance up, yes up, I’m over six feet tall, but so is Wyatt, and it’s to find narrowed eyes pointed in my direction.
I give him a stiff smile that does nothing to decrease the hardness glowering back at me.
“So Thornton,” Miles slaps me on the shoulder, and I quirk a brow at him, using my last name. “You should come with us. We,” he points at himself and then his two other brothers. “Need to talk to you.”
Becca squeaks, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth to keep the laugh that’s begging to be released. Pressing my lips together in response, we both earn a few stern looks from Wyatt and Miles.
“Steven’s taking a quick shower, and I’m going to wait for him,” Wyatt announces. “Mom will go with Miles and you,” he points at me. “Will meet us there.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I nod and give him a two-finger salute, which earns me a laugh from Becca. “Why don’t I head over now and get us a table?”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Miles responds. “Make sure you get a corner booth…in the back. Far back.”
Nodding, I turn and head to the parking lot. When the exit doors close behind me, a grin breaks free. Caleb would be very proud of his sons for caring for their mother. Heck, I am too. Becca deserves to be adored, and the men in her life should do that.
Her sons should also make sure to screen any man who shows interest. I hope I can prove my worth to them so that maybe one day they’ll let me adore her too.
That is, of course, if Becca still wants me.