Page 96 of A Major Puck Up

My fingers ache to slide against the ivories, but I squeeze them tightly, swallow thickly—willing my heart to return to its rightful place—and take a deep breath. When I’ve found a modicum of composure, I turn and join what has become a party.

“You ready for your first road trip with us?” Camden asks as I join them in the kitchen.

Daniel is the one who answers. “You’re going to travel with us?”

Tyler nudges him. “Looks like you’ll have to keep it in your pants for the rest of the season.”

I roll my eyes. “Please, I’ve been watching him parade his flavors of the night around for years. Don’t go changing for me, Danny.”

“Danny!” Aiden crows.

“Oh no,” Gavin grumbles.

The rest of the room falls eerily silent.

“What?” I frown and scan the guys, who are all side-eyeing Aiden.

Aiden steps forward. “Summer lovin’,” he croons.

“What’s happening?” I whisper, eyes wide.

Tyler leans in close. “Aiden lives in song, and you just brought up his favorite musical. I guess this road trip will be Grease inspired.”

My brother’s face is fixed in a murderous expression, and he’s directing it right at me.

I hold up my hands and mouth, “I didn’t know.”

Vivi is still fussing, but when Aiden takes her from Gavin and bounces, she goes quiet, and when he breaks into a rendition of the Grease song, she shoves a finger into her mouth and watches him with rapt attention.

“Vivi girl, got a new nanny,

Vivi girl, she’s pretty fancy,

She’s Hall’s twin, and she calls him Danny

Don’t call her baby, or my brother will flip

Vivi girl, you’re going to be

Oh ah, the happiest girl”

I lean closer to Tyler. “Does he not know the words?”

He shakes with silent laughter. “The kid remembers the day he lost his first tooth like it happened yesterday—and he’ll tell the story in detail—this is just his thing.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and sways along to the beat. “By the way, everyone calls me War. Welcome to the team, Baby Hall.”

THIRTY-THREE

MILLIE

Gavin left early for practice, kissing Vivi goodbye before reminding me of her schedule for the sixth time. The only interactions we’ve had since he kicked the guys out last night and disappeared into his room with Vivi have revolved around that schedule.

I took my time organizing my clothes—which basically took me no time at all because there is only a small dresser that’s already half-full of kids’ stuff. No way was I going to move it and risk getting yelled at by Gavin again. I’d rather live out of my suitcase.

As promised, there’s a bunk bed in the room, but fortunately, the bottom bunk is a double mattress and surprisingly comfortable.

Though when Vivi woke in the middle of the night, I did hit my head on the top bunk. I rushed into her room, only to find Gavin already changing her. Without a word, I tiptoed to the kitchen and made a bottle. When I offered to give it to her so he could go back to sleep, he just turned away and settled in the cream-colored rocking chair, his eyes trained on Vivi and Vivi alone.

It’s how it should be. He’s a devoted dad. I saw that within moments of meeting Vivi, though being so easily dismissed stung. It’s not that I even wanted his attention all on me. I just wanted to stand in that room and watch him rock her and talk to her in that soothing voice.

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