Page 159 of Penalty to the Heart

Maybe one day, Roxie and I will build a home like this one—a place where we can create memories together.

Not while she still has a room dedicated to her late husband, you’re not.

“Hey, are you okay?” Erin asks when my mood turns into melancholy.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lie. “Before I forget, here. This is yours,” I say before giving her the velvet box that contains Jack’s Stanley Cup ring.

Her eyes sparkle with unshed tears when she looks inside.

“I already showed it to Jack,” I explain.

“You did? I’m sure he loved it.” She smiles, swiping a stray tear away from her cheek. “Thank you for bringing me this. And… thank you for the speech you gave after the win. I… it… really touched me.”

“You watched the game?” I ask, surprised.

“I’d never miss it. Just because I’m angry at you doesn’t mean I stopped loving you. You’re the brother I never had. You’re my family.”

“Shit, E. You’re going to make me cry. And Mom already made me cry like a little bitch before we got here.”

“I’m happy that you two have made amends. It wasn’t right of her to put the blame on you. You did nothing wrong.”

“Not true,” I reply, looking her in the eye. “I did the one thing I never dreamed I’d ever do—losing faith in my brother. You never stopped believing in him. And for that, I owe you an apology. You’re right. Jack is a fighter. And if there is any chance that he can return to you and the girls, then I know he’ll take it.”

“Now you’re the one who is going to make me cry,” she half-laughs, half-sobs.

I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head.

“Sorry I lost my way for a second. But I’m back now. Okay?”

She pulls back and looks at me with endearment in her eyes.

“You might be back, but you’re different somehow. Something’s changed. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Love will do that to a man.”

“Hold up! You’re in love? With who? Do I know her? When did this happen?” she starts darting out questions left and right.

“Ah, E. We’ve got so much to talk about.” I grin. “But first things first, I need to see my girls.”

After a long afternoon of pampering my nieces and making up for lost time with Erin and my mother, I’m ready to go home and get my Roxie fix.

But just as I park my car at her doorstep, my hackles rise when I see four strange men walking out of her house and into a large white van parked across her street.

The fuck?!

I use my key and rush inside, panic setting in as I call out her name, “Roxie! Where are you?!”

“I’m upstairs!” she yells back, easing the tension on my shoulders when I hear her sounding like her usual self.

Still, I’ll feel better when I see her for myself. The idea of four strange men just walking out of her house does not sit well with me.

I take the stairs two at a time , my frown deepening when I don’t find her.

“Are we playing hide and seek or something? Where are you, love?”

“I’m in the bedroom!” She giggles.

“I’m staring at our bedroom, and you’re not here.” I scowl, not liking this game one bit.

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