Page 94 of A Major Puck Up

His responding growl starts low in his chest and works its way up to his throat. Before I have a chance to tease him about it, he’s striding away. I scurry after him, and when we reach the elevator, he steps to the side, silently urging me in first. His jaw is rigid as he follows me in and hits the button for the fourteenth floor.

“Oh, the top. Fancy!”

At the sound of my voice, Vivi squirms until she can see me. Then she gives me a sweet smile. Her daddy just gives me a bored expression. I make faces at her, and the little brown-eyed cutie squeals and kicks her feet.

When the elevator door opens, I let him step out first so I can follow.

“Baby Hall!”

I turn and find a group of guys sitting in an open space set up with couches and beanbags and a couple of TVs. It’s minimalistic and modern, with sports memorabilia hung on the walls.

Hit with a wave of relief that not everyone here is annoyed by my presence, I start in their direction.

Gavin’s growly again when he calls my name. “Where are you going?”

Over my shoulder, I give him a wink. “Saying hi to my brother and his friends. Give me a minute.”

Daniel hops up and meets me halfway, wrapping me in a bear hug and lifting me off the ground. “Mills! What are you doing here?”

I squeeze him back. “Have you gotten bigger?”

He’s been taller than me since he shot up when he hit puberty, but he was still pretty lanky through high school. Now he’s nothing but muscle and pure strength.

My cocky brother doesn’t disappoint. “Sure have.” He sets me down and takes a step back, his shaggy brown hair falling into his face as he studies me. “You look good, Mills.”

“Thanks.” I peer over his shoulder. “What are you boys up to?”

One of my brother’s teammates gives me a flirty smile, and it’s met with not one but two growls.

“Don’t even think about it,” Daniel says.

“Eyes off my nanny” comes from behind me.

I turn around and glare at Gavin, but he’s laser focused on the guys and misses the figurative daggers I’m launching at him.

“Nanny?” Daniel asks.

“Ah, Vivi’s got a hot babysitter!” Aiden teases. He’s decked out in his typical blue Bolts attire and kicked back on the couch.

“Baby Hall,” Tyler Warren adds from beside him with a wink. Talk about a hot hockey player. The man has dark hair and piercing blue eyes, and with the ink peeking through wherever skin shows, he has bad boy written all over him.

Daniel drops his head back and groans. “Seriously, dudes. No talking about my sister like that. Remember,” he says, pointing to Aiden, “you have one too.”

“Who happens to be my bestie and a total hottie,” I remind them all.

Gavin lets out a heavy sigh. “Can we go now?”

“Wait. Not until you explain what this is about.” My brother stands taller, his gaze bobbing between Gavin and me.

Gavin may not be a ripped hockey player, but he’s just as formidable. He takes a step closer, and then the men are zeroed in on each other, eyes narrowed.

With a huff, I take the baby from Gavin’s arms. “Viv and I are going to be spending some time together.”

“Which means she’s off-limits.” Gavin crosses his arms over his chest, the move punctuating his decree.

Laughter threatens to spill out of me at the display, but I bury my head in Vivi’s neck to stifle it, making her giggle. Yeah, my ex is totally over me and not possessive at all.

Ha.

---