Page 99 of Rowdy Hearts

“I texted you the address.”

“Thanks, brat. I appreciate it.”

“I’d tell you not to do anything stupid, but you already did that. You let her go without telling her how much you care about her.”

“I don’t need you to rattle off my faults. And since when did you become an expert in relationships? Last time I checked, you’re not in one.”

“I’m not ready.”

I heard the ache in her voice and my hands clenched the steering wheel until it groaned. “Rain, you just say the word and I will hammer that man into the boards so fucking hard, he won’t wake up for a week.”

Another sigh. “And you’ll be suspended for the season, even in our league. I don’t need you to fight my battles, Rowdy.” A pause. “But I appreciate the sentiment.”

We’d all wondered why Rain had dated Mo Zelinsky, the captain of the Deer Run Stags. The guy was grade-A dick, on and off the ice, and not at all good enough for my baby sister, but she’d told us all to keep the hell out of her business because she was a fucking adult and could do what she wanted.

So we had. And that bastard had broken her heart. Coach was careful to keep me off the ice when he was on, because he knew I’d flatten the guy. And not in any way that would be good for our team.

“But I suggest when you get to Tressy’s place, you don’t immediately tell her you’re gonna fix everything for her.”

“I didn’t?—”

“Rowdy. I know you. Dad’s the bull in the china shop, but you’re the golden retriever whose tail wags all over the damn place, knocking shit around. You mean well, but you’re a fucking hurricane.”

“Did you seriously just compare me to a dog?”

“Ugh. Stop. Just listen to me, okay? Don’t try to take over. Just be chill.”

“Do you know me?”

She snorted, which wasn’t as adorable as when Tressy did it. But I was a smart man and kept that to myself.

“You’re right. I do. Just be yourself, Rowdy. That’s the man she fell for.”

I mulled that over after I hung up with Rain, blasting the stereo as I cruised through Jersey and finally into New York through the Lincoln Tunnel. I fucking hated the traffic. All the cars, the buses, the taxis. All the fucking people and none of them looking where they’re going or giving a shit if they walk into the street against the lights. I swear it took me longer to drive to the parking garage I found near her address than it did to get here.

But as I walked to her home, I realized that this part of the city wasn’t as hectic. Yeah, there were more people on the streets than I think our entire arena held, but most of them looked like they lived here. Not like tourists. They talked and laughed, holding their kids’ hands while they hustled to wherever they were going. Little old ladies wheeled shopping baskets down the sidewalks. People dressed for business carried briefcases, weaving around everyone.

It only took a few minutes to walk to her building and, when I found it, I took a few seconds to take it in. It looked like money. Three stories, all brick. Decorative wrought-iron grates over the windows and a wrought-iron fence around a small courtyard in front of the building. The front doors looked intimidating. The building looked pretty as a picture, but no one was getting through those doors without a key or a battering ram.

I’d planned to call her when I got here, ask to see her. Or maybe ask to take her and Krista to dinner. Standing here now, I realized I’d leaped without first looking to see if there was anything to land on.

“Shit.”

I stood there for a few minutes, trying not to look like I was stalking the place so someone didn’t call the cops on me. I pulled out my phone and opened my texts and was just about to message her when I heard someone shout my name.

“Rowdy! Rowdy! Rowdy! You’re here!”

Turning, I grinned when I saw Krista come flying down the sidewalk, an older lady trying her best to keep up.

“Hey, Krista, did you miss me?”

The little girl held out her arms, and I scooped her up so she could hug me tight. Okay, maybe I held her just as tight.

“I’m so happy to see you!” She pulled back so she could pat my cheeks with her pudgy little hands. “Ididn’t want to leave you, but Mamma said she had something she had to do, and Mrs. Santiago took me for brunch, even though it’s not Saturday. I’m so glad you’re here. Do you want to come in and wait for Mamma to get home?”

“Krista! You can’t run off like that. I’m so sorry. She got away from me. You can put her down now. Please.”

I understood the fear in Mrs. Santiago’s eyes. I was big, and I probably looked like one of the homeless guys on the corner with the too-long hair. At least my clothes were clean.

---