Page 77 of Pucks and Coffee

I smile just thinking of it as I hug my sister. I’ve never been this happy, this free from all the pains of my past life. Love can be a splendid thing, and of the five McDavid girls, three of us have found it.

Austen’s lips dust my temple. I hate that for the longest time, I’ve carried a bit of guilt when it comes to her. I had figured out that when I was quiet and made myself smaller than I was, the men of our cult would leave me be. But Austen never had that option. She was too young and experienced way too much. Not that she blames me for anything. No, Austen McDavid only loves me. But I should have protected her more. The problem was, we were all so focused on doing everything we could to shelter Elliot and Clara. We succeeded, but it angers me at the cost.

“How was your drive in? Was he surprised?” she asks as we part a bit, but her arm stays wrapped around my shoulders. She tears me from my thoughts, and I cup her jaw.

“You’re losing weight.”

She waves me off. “No, I’m gaining. Dimitri and I have started running, and he makes me eat all the time. His mom? Liza, no joke, she cooks all the time. She’ll come over and drop off a whole meal, even if we’re not there. She’s been so kind.”

I smile widely. “That’s wonderful. Has his dad warmed up?”

Austen beams. “So much so. He called me the good daughter the other day when Katarina was raging through the house.”

I grimace, but it’s for show. I love how crazy Katarina is. She reminds me of Elliot. “What is it now?”

“She wants to go back to Russia, but they won’t give her the money. So, she’s working at her honorary aunt’s cupcake place until she can make enough. Problem is, she likes nice things and blows everything she earns. So then, she tried to get a sugar daddy, and Erik lost his ever-loving shit,” she exclaims, and I love the light in her eyes. Before, this kind of thing would scare her, but now, it only makes her laugh. “Dimitri stays clear, but I was sitting in awe, tasting all kinds of Russian desserts as they all argued. It’s crazy ’cause when they’re mad, it’s not like a vile mad, but a loving mad. I wish we’d grown up with their family.”

“Yeah,” I agree, squeezing her side. “So, where is the sugar daddy, and is she going to Russia?”

Austen snorts. “No, sugar daddy ran when Erik Titov, Shea Adler, and Lucas Brooks met him for dinner.”

My eyes widen at the mention of the OGs of the Nashville Assassins. I don’t even know these men, but I know they’re badass. “Now that had to be terrifying.”

“Oh, it was, especially when Tate Odder rolled up.”

I cackle. “That’s one of Dimitri’s honorary uncles?”

“Yup. And whoa nelly, was it a show. It’s the talk of the family right now.”

The family, being the group of OG Nashville Assassins who still hang out together and love one another as much as they did when they were playing. From what I’ve seen, they are loud and overwhelming, but it pleases me that, instead of a cult, my sister has stumbled into a loving found family. She squeezes me. “Enough about me. I know you hate driving so far. How was it? Was Coleson surprised?”

“It was fine. Louisa drove the whole way, and I did some ordering for the bookstore and the coffee shop. She only cussed out everyone and almost hit a few.” I throw my comments my eldest, road-raging sister’s way, but Louisa ignores my teasing. Austen giggles while I add, “And yes, he was.”

“Dimitri likes him a lot, says he’s a funny guy.”

I smile proudly. “He is when he lets himself be. I’m glad to hear he is that way with the team. I was nervous he would shut down.”

“Does he do that?”

“God, yes, and it drives me mad. He’s so worried about what people think, and I hate that it holds him back.”

She beams at me. “Lord, you love him something fierce.”

“I do,” I agree, beaming back at her. “Though, I thought the surprise would be ruined. He did not like that I didn’t answer his texts and calls.”

Austen snorts. “I’m sure he didn’t. Dimitri would have tracked me down.”

“I’m surprised Coleson didn’t,” I tease, shaking my head. “But we had a nice afternoon, had lunch in the hotel, I took a nap, and then he left. Though, we did have some drama.”

Her brows furrow. “What the hell do you mean?”

I pat her side. “No, he was great. Don’t get all fussy now.”

“Oh, okay. What happened?”

Lousia leans in, eyeing me. “I’ll sic Elliot on him.”

I snort at that, waving her off. “Please don’t, ’cause she’ll pop him one without even thinking.”

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