Page 57 of Hockey Boy

“This is weird,” I whisper as Sara practically drags me up the steps of Liv and Beckett’s brownstone. After Millie said yes to the dress and we all teared up, the four of us went for cocktails down by the seaport. While we were there, Beckett texted Liv, informing her that his brothers had come over to hang with the kids while we were out and they were now ordering dinner. Of course it was a given that Sara and Millie would head over, but me? I planned to go home, but Liv insisted I come. So now here I am, about to walk into my fake boyfriend’s brother’s house, to spend a Sunday night with his family.

I need another cocktail. Or ten.

“Will you stop being weird?” she mutters. Without giving me even a second to collect myself, she throws the front door open and strides in, expecting I’ll follow her.

“Hands up! And no quick movements.” A kid sporting a fro points a Nerf gun at me as I cross the threshold.

“I’ll protect you,” Aiden booms as he flies through the air in front of us, coming to rest at my feet. He blinks up at me from the floor, face sweating and eyes filled with wonder. “Hey, Lex.”

“Finn, my man, let’s try to keep my star player from getting hurt before the season starts, please,” Gavin groans as he appears in the hallway carrying his nine-month-old daughter. He ruffles the rambunctious kid’s hair and assesses Sara and me. “Where’s Peaches?”

I can’t help the smile that forms. “Missing your bride already?”

“Always,” he says, not even trying to hide his affection for her.

Aiden tugs on my ankle and hits me with a devilish grin.

My core clenches as an image of him looking up at me the other night as he put my shoes on hits. And when a memory of how he touched me last night surfaces, my heart takes off. Shit. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since,so I’m glad to see he’s still acting so…hmm how is he acting?

Flirty?Yeah. He seems back to normal after his jealous insanity.

Not that I exactly hated the fallout from the jealousy.

A teasing smile stretches across his face. Clearly, I’ve been making googly eyes at my fake man friend for too long. “You gonna help me up, Princess?”

That nickname does it again. My core clenches, and I silently scold my kitty, warning her that she’ll be having no playtime. The bitch needs to stand down.

Instead, she purrs and arches her back. The ole girl wants more attention.

I wiggle my foot out of his grasp. “Pretty sure you can help yourself, Hockey Boy.”

Aiden grins like he can read all my dirty thoughts.Ass.

“Didn’t think I’d see you so soon, Lex. Miss me so much you’ve taken to stalking me?” He jumps up like a human Gumby, practically swaying to his feet.

He’s wearing his typical Bolts blue shirt and a pair of jeans. It’s unfair how good this man wears a shirt. The perfect way it stretches across his muscles makes me dizzy with need.

“I’m not stalking you. I was dress shopping with the girls when Liv got the call from Beckett, and then she invited me.”

He tilts in close, causing the curls on top of his head to fall forward. The urge to yank them is irrational, but I fist my hands to keep from acting on the insanity.

“I’m glad you’re here.” Then, without warning, his lips are on mine.

When I stand, frozen in place, and don’t return the kiss, he bites my bottom lip.

“Relax,” he murmurs against my mouth. “We’re supposed to be a couple, remember? Play with me, Princess.”

Right. I’mallowedto kiss him.Allowedto want him. Okay, maybe not the last thing, but no one has to know how much I’m truly enjoying this fake relationship, right?

So I kiss him back. And I enjoy it. Melding my lips to his. Licking at the seam of them until he opens and kisses me deeply, making my toes curl and my kitty pulse.

“That’s not Auntie Jill.” The words are like a record player scratch. I immediately pull back and suck in one harsh breath after another.

Wearing that damn infectious smile of his, Aiden wraps an arm around me and spins me so I’m facing the pint-sized troublemaker. He’s lowered his Nerf gun to his side and is studying us with skeptical brown eyes.

“You’re right. It’s not. This is Lennox. My girlfriend. Lex, this is Liv’s son, Finn.” There’s no hesitation, no sugarcoating. Aiden’s voice is strong, and he doesn’t squirm, even as the little guy tilts his head, clearly preparing his next zinger.

Fortunately, Millie opens the door behind us, and Finn’s attention is diverted. “Princess Peaches is here.” He runs straight for her at an unnatural speed.

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