Chapter 9
Zach
I’m gripping the steering wheel as I glance over at Lainey, who’s sitting in the passenger seat, twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger. The sun is shining, and we’re on our way to the “Pucks & Pups” event—a dog adoption event hosted by a local shelter.
My team and I do this every year, and this time, Lainey is tagging along. Our second date, if you can even call it that. She looks great in her casual jeans and simple white tee, her hair pulled into a messy bun. Of course, I’d never admit that out loud.
“Zach,” she says suddenly, her tone hesitant.
I glance at her, my brow raised. “What is it, baby?”
Her eyes narrow, but the flush creeping up her cheeks betrays her annoyance. “Zach, no one is around. Stop calling me baby.”
“Why, baby? It’s great practice.” I say, leaning back casually against the seat, dragging the word out just to annoy her.
She lets out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re adorable when you’re flustered. What’s up?”
Her fingers fidget with the hem of her shirt. “I kind of told Chloe about our fake dating.”
My grin falters. “You what?”
“At the golf tournament,” she adds quickly, her words rushing together.
“Lainey…” I draw out her name, my tone teetering between exasperation and disbelief.
“I panicked!” she says, throwing her hands in the air. “You left me alone with her! She’s my best friend, Zach. I can’t lie to her.”
I scoff, shaking my head. “She lied to you for eight years about Wyatt being Jasper’s dad.”
Lainey sits up straighter, glaring at me. “I knew, so that doesn’t count.”
“Great,” I mutter, focusing back on the road as the light flickers to yellow for the cross-traffic. “Now Wyatt’s going to know.”
“She promised me she wouldn’t tell anyone,” Lainey says, her voice softening into an apologetic tone.
I glance at her, letting the weight of silence settle for a moment. “Just like you promised we’d keep this a secret?”
Her lips press into a guilty pout. “Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry.” She bats her lashes at me, her big blue eyes shining like she’s about to ask for a puppy.
I don’t take the bait, keeping my gaze fixed on the light.
She leans over, grabbing my arm. “Will you forgive me, baby?”
That does it. A laugh escapes me, and I shake my head. “Okay. I can’t stay mad at you, baby.”
She perks up, her face lighting up with relief—until I add, “Hearing you call me baby made it all better.”
She narrows her eyes, her hands landing on her hips. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you love it.”
“You forgive me?”
“Almost,” I say with a smirk. “But since we’re sharing secrets…” I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. “I told Wyatt.”
Her jaw drops, and she stares at me in disbelief. “What?”
“Yup,” I say, popping the “p” as I slow down for the next light. “Mentioned it to him at practice the other day.”
Her hands fly to her lap as she gasps. “You gave me a hard time just now, and you told Wyatt? You hypocrite!”
I chuckle, enjoying the way her cheeks flush with frustration. “I had to. He’s my best friend. I figured you told Chloe. I might as well even the playing field.”
Lainey narrows her eyes at me, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. “That’s not funny, Zach.”
“It’s a little funny.” I glance at her again, her arms still folded and her lips pursed in annoyance. With a quick movement, I lean over and plant a quick kiss on her lips just as the light turns green.
“Zach!” she exclaims, her hand flying up to cover her mouth as I straighten and pull forward.
“What?” I say, feigning innocence, though I can feel the warmth of her glare.
“I can’t believe you just did that!”
I glance at her out of the corner of my eye, catching her flush deepening. “Apologies for messing with you, baby.”
Her response is a light smack to my arm, though the corners of her mouth twitch as if she’s fighting a smile. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you like it,” I tease, steering us into the parking lot of the event.
The “Pucks & Pups” event is pure chaos. Kids chasing each other with balloons, volunteers hauling crates of supplies, and the occasional bark punctuating the hum of chatter and laughter.
Banners bearing the LA Knights logo and the shelter’s name flap in the breeze above tables stacked with adoption papers and bowls of dog treats.
Lainey adjusts her sunglasses as she steps out of the truck, her gaze sweeping over the bustling parking lot. She looks like she’s trying not to organize everything in her head, but I can see it in the way her lips press together.
“This is great,” she says, her voice tinged with excitement. “I love seeing events like this come together.”
I grin, leaning against the truck. “You’re not running this one, so don’t even think about taking over.”
“I’m not here to take over,” she says, lifting her chin. “But if they need help, I’m more than happy to jump in.”
Of course she is. I shake my head, stuffing my hands in my pockets as we head toward the entrance.
“Uncle Zach! Aunt Lainey!”
Jasper’s voice rings out over the crowd, and before I can turn, he’s sprinting toward us. His eight-year-old energy is off the charts, and his smile could power the event all on its own.
“Hey, buddy!” I crouch to catch him in a hug, ruffling his hair as he clings to me.
He turns immediately to Lainey, throwing his arms around her waist. “You’re here! You’re the best at picking dogs!”
Lainey crouches to his level, laughing softly. “Well, I know you, so I think we’ll find the perfect one together.”
He beams at her before grabbing both of our hands and tugging us toward Wyatt and Chloe, who are standing by a nearby pen. Chloe’s got a golden retriever puppy squirming in her arms, and Wyatt is keeping a wary eye on Jasper like he’s waiting for his next move.
“Took you long enough,” Chloe teases as we approach.
“I’m fashionably late,” I reply, letting Jasper drag me closer to the pen.
Chloe’s green eyes narrow, but there’s a mischievous glint in them. “So… how’s dating life?”
Lainey freezes for a second, her hand tightening on Jasper’s. Then she straightens, her voice cool and composed. “Zach knows.”
Chloe’s smile falters, her face falling into a pout. “You told him? I had so many plans for messing with you two!”
I laugh, leaning casually against the fence. “Don’t feel too bad. Wyatt knows too.”
Chloe turns to Wyatt, her eyes narrowing. “You knew? And you didn’t tell me?”
Wyatt raises his hands, his expression innocent. “Guys have to have each other’s backs. It’s a rule.”
Chloe gasps, feigning outrage. “So I’m just left out? That’s how this works?”
“Babe, come on,” Wyatt says, moving closer. “It’s not like that.”
Chloe crosses her arms, her lip jutting out in a perfect pout. “I can’t believe you, Wyatt.”
He’s immediately backpedaling, his hands on her shoulders. “Okay, okay. You’re right. I should’ve told you. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
Chloe lets him squirm for another second before breaking into a laugh, pulling him into a hug. “You’re too easy.”
I glance at Lainey, her eyes flicking between Wyatt and Chloe with a flicker of guilt.
“See what you’ve done?” I say, stepping closer to her and dropping my voice low. “You’ve started a feud between them. We’ll probably have to deal with this all day now.”
Her brows pull together. “I didn’t mean to. Guys don’t fight over this.”
I hold up a hand. “Relax, baby. I’m just playing.”
She lets out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “You’re the worst.”
“Accurate.” I smirk, watching as Chloe and Wyatt go full lovey-dovey in the middle of the field.
Chloe wraps her arms around Wyatt’s neck, murmuring something that makes him grin and pull her closer. I pretend to gag, earning a snort of laughter from Lainey.
“Knock it off,” she says, her tone teasing.
I nudge her shoulder lightly. “You’re just jealous of their romance. Admit it.”
“Hardly,” she says, rolling her eyes. Then, softer, “I’m waiting for my Mr. Perfect.”
I pause, the corner of my mouth lifting. “You’re looking at him.”
Her cheeks go pink, and she quickly turns away, muttering, “You’re impossible.”
“Impossible and perfect. What can I say?”
The event flows smoothly after that, with fans stopping by to snap pictures and kids lining up for autographs. Jasper drags us between pens, gushing over every dog he meets until, finally, one catches his eye.
“Dad! Mom! Come quick!”
They follow him to a pen where a tiny black-and-white puppy is bouncing on its paws, its tail wagging so fast it’s a blur. Jasper is already kneeling by the gate, his face lit up with joy.
“This is him!” Jasper announces, turning to Chloe and Wyatt. “This is Stanley.”
Chloe crouches beside him, brushing a hand over the puppy’s fur. “Stanley, huh?”
Wyatt looks at me, then at Jasper, his expression softening. “You sure about this one, buddy?”
“Yes!” Jasper says, nodding firmly. “He’s the best!”
The puppy yips as if agreeing, bounding over to Lainey and planting its paws on her knees. She laughs, scooping him up as the puppy licks her chin.
“Looks like he picked you, Aunt Lainey,” Jasper says, grinning.
Lainey turns to Wyatt and Chloe. “What do you think? Should Stanley go home with you guys?”
Wyatt sighs, glancing at Chloe, who’s already nodding. “Looks like we’ve got a new family member.”
“Yes!” Jasper cheers, throwing his arms around Lainey and the puppy.
Everyone coos over Stanley.
As the event winds down, Lainey and I find ourselves sitting on the grass with Jasper and Stanley, watching the crowd thin out. She leans back on her hands, her expression thoughtful as she surveys the field.
“This was fun,” she admits.
“Don’t sound so surprised,” I say, nudging her foot with mine.
She glances at me, her eyes bright with something I can’t quite place. “It’s nice. Seeing you like this. With Jasper, with the fans… you’re not half bad.”
“High praise,” I say, smirking. “Careful, or I might start thinking you like me.”
“Don’t push it, Darling.”
But as the sun dips lower and Jasper calls for us to play with Stanley one more time, I can’t help but wonder if maybe—just maybe—she already does.