Page 74 of The Only Goal

“He was talking total smack, and we had no idea what was up with him.”

“Then we sang him ‘Happy Birthday,’ and he started dancing on the stage!”

Jolie gasped while Caroline’s mouth opened with one of those silent laughs that was so strong she couldn’t even make a sound.

She flopped against her cousin, who was close to hysterics as well, and then we all couldn’t stop giggling.

After that, Mikayla, who was well tipsy on wine tasters by this stage, snorted hot sauce up her nose. Tears were pouring out her eyes, and her nose didn’t stop running for like fifteen minutes. The funniest part of it all was that she’d dared herself to do this. So, yeah, maybe she was drunker than I thought.

Thankfully, she’s currently in the shower and hopefully sobering up so my sweet little four-year-old doesn’t have to see her totally hammered.

Caroline and Jolie have left now. I think they’re meeting up with Casey and some of the other guys at Offside. Lani and Ray are in the kitchen finalizing their thoughts on wine, which doesn’t really interest me.

I skip down the stairs, pushing up my sleeves as Kai and Baxter walk in. My little boy comes racing over to me, and I catch him in my arms, lifting him high and swinging him around.

“How’s my boy?”

“I want to be a hockey star!” he shouts. His loud enthusiasm surprises me, and I can’t help laughing as I share a quick look with Baxter.

“Do you now?”

“Yeah, I want to be like Casey and go fast and get goals like Ethan.”

“Or you could be a goalie like Baxter. Saving the day all the time.”

I love the way Baxter’s cheeks splash with color whenever someone gives him a compliment.

Kai tips his head in thoughtful consideration, then wrinkles his nose and wriggles out of my arms. “No, I want to score the goals and go fast!” He takes off, running for the kitchen, and I turn to Baxter, my eyebrows rising high.

“Okay, who is that kid, and what have you done with my son?”

He gives me a shy smile. “He loved being there today. You should have seen his face.”

I’m instantly disappointed that I didn’t join them. Not that I’d been invited. Kai was clear it was a boys’ trip, and it was so freaking adorable, I couldn’t argue with him.

“Maybe we should take him to a game sometime.”

“I’d love that.” Baxter’s eyes start to dance as he glances around us, checking the coast is clear before pulling me into his arms and lightly kissing my lips.

I chase his mouth when he pulls away from me, giggling and palming the back of his head, forcing him to deepen the kiss and give me some more of his delectable sugar.

He obliges, and my insides simmer with desire.

We haven’t shared another night since the weekend. With the house full and Kai sleeping in the same room as me, it’s a little awkward. But the girls all know now, so maybe it’s okay for me to sneak up to Baxter’s room tonight.

I pull away from him, ready to tell him about my afternoon when my phone starts ringing. Tugging it out of my back pocket, I glance at the screen and deflate.

Baxter frowns, looking at the screen too.

“Oh,” he murmurs. “I guess you better get that.”

“Do I have to?” I mutter.

“He’s Kai’s father, so… yeah, you have to.” His voice is flat as he lets me go and walks away without a backward glance.

With a heavy sigh, I slide my thumb across the screen and shuffle into the parlor for a little privacy.

“Hi, Hudson.”

---