Page 16 of Rainbow Kisses

“Sure. No problem.” I smiled, totally ignoring her scowl. Then I switched my attention back to Brian. “I don’t know if you remember, but the players are asked to volunteer a few hours at the festival. At the nighttime skates, especially.”

Brian nodded. “I forgot about that. I’m sure I’ll have time to volunteer. Your dad still play Jack Frost?”

I grinned, shaking my head. “Actually, we have a new Jack Frost this year. Dad said he was getting too old, even though he secretly really loved it. But the cold was getting to be too much for him. So Dad roped Rowdy into taking over.”

Brian shook his head, grinning. “Rowdy’s really stepping into your dad’s shoes, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, he is.”

Brian’s gaze narrowed. “And you’re okay with that?”

“Of course.” The words were out before I even thought about what to say, my smile already in place. “That’s been the plan for years. Why wouldn’t I be okay with it?”

Brian sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest. I had to force myself not to stare because, damn it, the man had a chest I wanted to pet.

“Because this is your team just as much as it is your brothers’.”

No one had ever said that to me. I mean, I knew Dad and Rowdy appreciated everything I did to make the team run, but to have someone else say it…

“Thanks. It’s nice to hear.” Momentarily struck mute, I tried to get my brain to move past the fact that Brian had realized something I didn’t think a lot of people did. This wasn’t just my job. I loved the Devils just as much as my brothers and my dad did. It was my second home.

Seconds later, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Maddy look between the two of us, gaze narrowed. This kid saw way too much.

Shaking my head, I smiled again, this time making sure to include Maddy. From the look on her face, though, she wasn’t buying it.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re cool about helping out. I appreciate it. I know some of the guys think it’s stupid, but I think the carnival gives the community something to look forward to in the dead of winter instead of just hibernating. And hockey. Of course.”

“Of course.” Brian’s comment was dry but amused.

“Seems like hockey is the only thing this town has going for it,” Maddy said. “Guess you’re outta luck if you don’t like watching grown men beat each other up.”

If I hadn’t seen the grin Maddy aimed at her uncle, I would’ve thought that was a dig. And maybe it was, but Brian reached over and ruffled her hair, and her grin widened reluctantly.

“Guess after a few weeks of living with me, you’ll be happy to see me take a few knocks to the head.”

The mask Maddy wore most of the time slipped and the love for her uncle shone through so brightly at that second, I swore I got a toothache from the sweetness.

“Nah. I love you, Uncle Bri.” Then she paused, and her grin got that wicked edge to it. “But that could change in a heartbeat, so watch your back.”

FIVE

Brian

Maddy wasquiet for the first minute after we got in the car, looking out the side window so I couldn’t see her expression. I had no idea what she was thinking about.

But then she turned to stare at me, and I knew exactly what she’d been mulling over.

“So, you got something going on with her, huh?”

I blinked, Maddy’s question stumbling through my brain for a few seconds while I considered my answer. At least I could answer this truthfully. “You mean me and Rain? No.”

Maddy made a sound between a huff and a snort, that I recognized as a perfect imitation of her mom. My lips started to twitch into a smile, but I managed to cover it.

“She’s definitely into you.”

Really?“No. She’s not. We’ve just known each other for a long time.”

Maddy’s arms crossed over her chest. “And you’re totally into her.”

---