Page 116 of Pucking Revenge

“Come in,” he shouts.

The moment I open the door, my inner lunatic emerges again, and I dart for Ethan. I tackle him and squeeze him tight, drowning in relief and excitement at seeing him after months apart.

“Jeez, Sar. Let me breathe!” he teases. But when he drops the controller and swivels in his gaming chair so he can throw his arms around me, I know he’s just as excited to have me home as I am to be here.

I sigh and squeeze him tighter. “You look good.”

He stiffens in my arms, probably spotting Brooks behind me, and wriggles free of my hold. “Holy crap,” he mutters out of the side of his mouth. “You’re really dating Brooks Langfield.”

Brooks’s bellowing laugh from the doorway makes me smile and sends my heart soaring. “Believe me, I’m amazed she agreed to be my girlfriend too.” He steps into the room and nods toward the screen. “That NHL 22?”

Ethan’s smile splits his face. “Yeah.”

“Have another controller?”

“You play?” my brother breathes, his brows in his hairline.

“Not as often as I’d like, but yeah, I think I can keep up.”

Ethan laughs. “We’ll see about that.”

With that, Brooks is taking the proffered second controller and settling on the floor beside Ethan.

I’ve essentially been dismissed.

“I guess I’ll go help Mom with lunch.” I throw a thumb over my shoulder and back toward the doorway.

Neither of them so much as acknowledges me. They’re both 100 percent focused on getting Brooks set up.

At the door, I rest my head on the frame and soak in the sight of them for a moment. My brother may not be able to do all the things the Langfield kids can, but the instant Brooks met him, he found a way to bond with him. I shouldn’t be surprised. Even so, it makes my heart all gooey.

“You’re very smiley,” my mother says as I enter the kitchen.

I am, in fact, very smiley.My heart is still melting, and I’m pretty sure I floated my way down the hall to get here.

“Ethan looks good.” I sidle up beside her.

She’s standing at the counter, plating an absurd amount of food.

With a frown, I take it all in. There’s chicken and side dishes and rolls and even a plate of cookies. “Is someone else coming over for lunch?”

“You’re dating a big hockey player. He needs to load up on carbs before the game.”

With a laugh, I rest my head against my mother’s shoulder. “That’s very cute of you.”

“Your brother is so excited to go to the game.”

I warm at the thought. “I’m glad you guys are coming. It’ll be fun.”

“And things with Brooks…” She picks up the platter of chicken, but she doesn’t move. She just tilts her head and takes me in. “Are they serious?”

“I think so.”

Her eyes go wide. I’ve never had a serious boyfriend, and I’ve certainly never brought a man home to meet my family. I’m fiercely protective of them.

With a nod, she takes the platter to the table. “He better be good to you.”

“He is, Mom.” I pick up the basket of rolls and follow. “He’s one of the good ones.”

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