Chapter 39
thirty-nine
BLAIR
The Rogues win the game three to one, and Reed and I are both flying high.
“So we’re going to meet him in the family room?” Reed asks, his eyes wide and glittering. “That’s so cool. Let’s go.”
Laughter bubbles out of my chest as my little brother drags me out of our seats and into the crush of people filing out of theirs. Everyone smiles, chattering animatedly after such an exciting game and a win at home.
Having never really been a big sports fan, I can see why people love hockey after tonight.
The collective euphoria, the camaraderie of cheering along with thousands of others, the excitement of each stopped goal attempt made by the opposition, and the glory of each goal the Rogues sunk…
It’s all a massive shot of adrenaline and dopamine.
“Do you know where we need to go?”
“Kind of?” Logan told me how to get to the family room, but I’ve never had the best sense of direction, and between that and the crush of people, I’m not confident I’ll be able to find our way.
Which is why I stop and ask a security guard for help.
It’s not my buddy, Joe, but he gets on the radio to verify Reed and I are on the list of people with approved access, then leads us through the crowds.
Isla, Lexi, and Mira squeal when they see us, and not only do they crush me in a group hug, but Reed too. His cheeks are adorably pink, making his freckles stand out more than they normally do across his nose and cheeks.
“Oh my god, you’re here,” Mira says. Her eyes are slightly glassy and her cheeks are flushed. Something tells me they had a few drinks in the family box tonight. “You’re going out with us, right?”
I glance at Reed, who nods so emphatically, his curls bounce. “Yeah, we’re in.”
“Yay!” Mira claps. “Did you see your man make that shot?”
Spine stiffening and sure every eye has turned my way after Mira’s loudly uttered question, I surreptitiously scan the room. No one is paying us any special attention, and I blow out a breath. “It was pretty incredible.”
“Hell yeah, it was,” Lexi agrees. “He’s been playing really well lately. I wonder why that is?”
I chuckle at her antics when Lexi waggles her eyebrows and elbows me in the side. “He’s just a great player.”
“I mean, yeah, obviously, but I think there’s a little more to it.”
“All our guys played better after they fell in love,” Isla adds, grinning.
“He’s not in love with me.” Once again, my eyes sweep the room as I shift from one foot to the other. “We haven’t been dating that long.”
“He’s totally in love with her,” my traitorous brother pipes up. The little shit looks smug as hell as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. “I found them like this the other day.”
Knowing exactly what Reed’s about to show the girls, I reach for his phone, but his wingspan is too long, and he holds it out of my reach with a boyish giggle. The photo of me sleeping on Logan’s chest, drool and all, has the girls practically cooing.
“Ohmygod, that’s fucking adorable,” Lexi says as she takes the phone from Reed’s hand and enlarges it. Isla and Mira gather around her, hearts in their eyes. “Look at how happy he looks, even in his sleep.”
They’re making enough of a scene now that we’re attracting attention.
Despite knowing that everyone in this room is a close friend or family member of someone on the team doesn’t completely ease the tingle of discomfort that crawls up my spine.
I’m still not ready to publicly announce our relationship.
I’m not confident enough that my job will be safe, and as much as I’m falling for Logan, Reed depends on me, and that has to come first.
What I want will always come second to that.
The back of my neck prickles, and I shiver. I steal another glance at the people around us, going still when I see a familiar face. One I’d rather not see again.
“What the hell?” I mutter. Isla must hear me, because she turns her head to see what I’m looking at, and frowns.
“What’s he doing here?”
So far, the man I ran into earlier hasn’t noticed me, so I turn back to my friend, hoping it stays that way. “Who is that?”
“You don’t know?” Isla’s eyebrows rise. “I guess that’s not surprising. I only recognize him because of Madds. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him at a game.”
Tapping my foot, I glance back at the older man. “Who is he?”
“That,” Isla says, her voice low and missing her typical generosity, “is Logan’s—”
“Dad?”
I turn at Logan’s voice, and everything clicks into place.
Seeing the two of them standing next to each other, it’s no wonder Owen struck me as familiar.
They have the same gray eyes, similar jawlines, and they’re close in height, though Logan is far more muscular than his father.
Looking at Owen Byrne, I can’t help wondering if I’m looking at Logan twenty-five years in the future.
If I were the one seeing my dad after one of my games, I’d pull him into a big hug. But that’s not what Logan does. He extends his hand, jaw ticking.
“Son. Congrats on the win. You got lucky with that goal.”
My hackles rise for Logan as I watch my boyfriend’s shoulders stiffen. His jaw ticks again, jutting out stubbornly. “Right. Luck.”
“What a dick,” Mira whispers a little too loudly.
Reed nods. “No kidding.”
The rest of the guys file in around Logan, and I don’t miss the way every single one of his closest friends glares at Owen Byrne.
I’m not the only one who isn’t a fan. The point is hammered home when Maddox, Bash, Ryder, and Griffin take up position at Logan’s back, rather than immediately greeting their wives and girlfriends.
“I got us reservations for dinner. We can discuss everything you could have done better then.” Despite being an inch or two shorter than Logan, Owen somehow manages to look down his nose at his son.
A flash of hurt clouds Logan’s eyes for a moment until he scans the room and finds me watching. He inhales deeply, posture loosening when I offer him an encouraging smile, and something warm expands in my chest.
It’s like watching Logan realize he can breathe freely after being held underwater, and I did that for him simply by being here.
“I’m not free tonight, Dad. I already have plans.”
Owen frowns, as if he’s entirely unaccustomed to being told no. Hell, he probably is. He sure seemed surprised when I shot him down.
“You can go out with your teammates another night. I traveled here to see you.”
Logan takes a deep, steadying breath. “Yeah, well, you never told me you were coming, so unfortunately, I’m not free. Next time, give me a heads-up, and I’ll keep my schedule clear for you.”
Owen looks at the men surrounding his son. “Surely none of you mind if I steal my son for the evening?”
“They’re not the ones I have plans with,” Logan says. His voice is steady, but I don’t miss the tension in his tone or his jaw. His turbulent gray eyes lock on mine. The question is clear.
Save me?
I give him a subtle nod, and his smile is so bright and relieved, my chest fizzes with pride and pleasure.
I guess we’re going public.
Logan extends a hand to me, palm up, and I close the distance between us. He tugs me against his side before pressing a firm kiss to my temple. “Hey, angel,” he whispers for only my ears. Then he turns back to face his frowning father.
“I have plans with my girl and her little brother tonight, and I’m their ride. We’ll schedule another time to get dinner.”
Owen Byrne’s eyes narrow on Logan’s hand where it grips my hip. “Your girl? No wonder your playing was sloppy tonight. You were distracted.”
Logan’s chest rumbles. His fingers dig harder into my hip, just shy of being uncomfortable, but I don’t mind. My boyfriend needs me. Needs our connection. I don’t know everything about the relationship dynamics with his dad, but I know enough for my protective instincts to surge hot and fiery.
“I was not distracted tonight. Far from it.”
Owen shakes his head. “Women are always a distraction. You know better than this, son.” Once again, his eyes roam over my body, but this time, they’re full of disdain rather than heat. “It’s not like there’s anything special about this one.”
Logan sucks in a sharp breath, Maddox mutters a curse, and Reed takes a step toward me, his expression thunderous. They’re all about two seconds away from rising to my defense, but I’ve got this.
“You didn’t seem to think that when you tried—several times—to get me to go out with you tonight.”
Owen stiffens as Logan barks out a caustic laugh.
“He was the creep you texted me about?”
Looking up at Logan, I try desperately to keep from laughing as I shrug. Is it wise to insult your boyfriend’s dad the first time you meet them? Probably not. But I’ll be damned if I let Owen make Logan or me feel small. “Yep. I didn’t know he was your dad, obviously.”
“Awwwwkward,” Griffin sing-songs, a look of absolutely unhinged glee overtaking the rage that had previously darkened his face.
Owen frowns at Griffin, then turns back to Logan and me. With a haughty lift of his chin, Owen focuses on his son. “Are you going to let some puck bunny talk about me that way?”
“Oh hell, no,” my brother growls. Luckily, Lexi grabs his wrist before he can do anything stupid, and I shoot her a grateful look.
Lexi knows all too well how volatile confrontations with a hockey dad can get.
As much as my heart swells with love for my brother’s protective instincts, I don’t need him to defend me.
I’m perfectly capable of doing that myself, and I know Logan won’t let something like that slide, either.
“Blair is not some puck bunny.” Logan glares at his dad.
“Don’t be na?ve, son. You’re good-looking, rich, and successful. Women will do anything to entrap a man like that. You can’t honestly believe this one’s any different?”
Owen crosses his arms over his chest. If he notices that every eye in the room is on him—on us—he doesn’t show it.
“It’s only a matter of time before she falls pregnant and tries to take you for everything you own.
And even if she doesn’t, she’ll talk you into marriage and make you feel guilty for insisting on a prenup. ”
What. An. Asshole.
I’m vibrating, my fingers pulled so tightly into fists that my nails bite into the flesh of my palms. I open my mouth to tell Logan’s dad where to shove it, but my boyfriend beats me to it.
“You don’t have to worry about that, Dad. You know how I feel about marriage and kids.”
The world slows, and everything tilts. My gaze seeks out Reed and the girls and finds them frowning.
What does he mean by you know how I feel about marriage and kids? Because yeah, Logan’s never been a relationship guy, so I’m sure he never thought he’d get married, but does he really still feel that way?
Of course he does.
We’ve only been dating for what, three weeks?
Did I really believe he’d magically change his mind about everything he’s always believed because he decided to call me his girlfriend and amend his one-and-done rule?
Logan’s told me enough about his past and the number of marriages his dad has gone through that I shouldn’t be surprised Logan seems so firmly against it.
But marriage is something I’ve always wanted. The ring, the wedding, the commitment to love and be loved for the rest of your lives. My parents loved each other. They were happy and solid. I want what they had.
And the whole kids thing… I don’t want babies.
But I sort of already have a kid, and Reed’s not going anywhere.
When he says how I feel about kids, implying that he’s never wanted them, does that include my brother?
They’ve been getting along so well, but that doesn’t mean Logan wants to step in and be a permanent part of his life.
My breathing picks up and my hands feel clammy.
Owen’s lips curve as he watches me. Bastard. He can see the wheels turning in my head, and he’s enjoying my panic. Of course he is.
Unaware of the turmoil inside of me, Logan drops his hand from around my waist and laces our fingers. “We’re done here. Come on.” He looks over his shoulder at his friends, who are also frowning. “We’ll meet you guys at Chasers.”
My internal storm rages so loudly I can’t seem to form a coherent thought as Logan tugs me out of the family room. I’m only vaguely aware of my little brother slipping his palm into mine and squeezing.
The Minnesota wind chill doesn’t even register because I’m already frozen through.