Page 75 of The Enemy Face Off

I crouch, and Jonah bounds into me, giving me a big hug. Josie is hanging back, and as I straighten, I notice the children's grandparents approaching.

Milo introduces Mike and Robyn to me, and we chitchat for a few minutes. Milo told me they were really nice, and it checks out. They seem lovely, and I'm glad Milo is developing a good relationship with them so that they can be in their grandkid's lives.

"We should get going," he says after a short while.

"I agree. And I'll drive this time since we'd like to get there sometime this year."

Josie giggles. "Daddy drives slowly."

"I drive to the speed limit," Milo says a touch defensively but with a smile.

He gives Josie and Jonah a big hug, answers Mike's question about the TV system, reminds them he'll have his phone on him at all times even though reception may be spotty, and then turns to me.

"Right. I think I'm ready."

I smile. "Let's go." I give Jonah a high five and say goodbye to Josie, who's inched forward a little.

"Hope you like the red heart," she says, looking up at me with a small grin.

"Red heart?" I look at Milo, confused.

"Uh, we should get going," he deflects, then grabs my arm and leads me over to my car.

With a wave, we set off for Evie and Fraser's second attempt at a wedding. Due to the time constraints of the hockey season, there's no rehearsal lunch or dinner, just a quick, intimate ceremony today before Fraser, Milo, and the rest of the Swifts jump on a red-eye for their game tomorrow night in Chicago.

Evie is possibly the only girl in the world who isn't bothered by spending her honeymoon watching her new husband play hockey.

"Well, the weather couldn't be any better," Milo observes from the passenger seat, leaning toward the windshield, his handsome face tipped up to the brilliant blue sky.

"First thing I did when I woke up this morning was race to the window to check," I say.

"First thing I did when I woke up this morning was step on Jonah's fire truck that has way too many sharp and painful edges for a children's toy."

I smile. "Mike and Robyn seem nice."

"Yeah. They're great. They're always going to be in the kids' lives, so I'm glad they're cool people."

"How are the kids doing?" I ask.

"They're fine."

I'm driving, so I can't peel my eyes off the road for too long, but Milo's tone doesn't match his words. "What's the matter?" I ask.

He huffs out a breath. "Nothing. Josie and Jonah are both doing great. It's just…a life on the road isn't a life meant for kids."

"Are they struggling?"

"No. They love it. Room service is their favorite thing ever. I'm the one wracked with guilt."

"About what?"

"About them not having a normal dad who has a normal life and lives in a normal house. I want them to grow up in one place, feel safe, have roots, you know?"

"I get that." I drum my fingers against the steering wheel. "Well, the season ends in April, June if you make it into the playoffs, right?"

"That's right. How do you know that?"

"I may have only ever watched one hockey game in real life, but I've readalllllthe hockey romance books. I've picked up one or two hockey-related things. The point I'm making is that the season is coming to an end. You can figure stuff out then."

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