Page 35 of Rainbow Kisses

Rowdy took a seat on the bench in front of my locker, dressed in a suit that made him look like a legit businessman, except for the hair to his shoulders.

“Thanks. Felt good to be out on the ice, though I think I’m gonna regret a few of those checks tomorrow morning.”

Rowdy’s smile widened. “You’ll get used to it again. That pass you made to Weller was a beauty. You haven’t lost your touch.”

“Let’s see how I play tomorrow. I’m kinda afraid I won’t be able to get out of bed.”

“You’ll be fine. You’re notthatfucking old, Whiskers. You going out with the team?”

I shook my head. “I should probably get Maddy home. It’s getting late.”

“Dude, it’s like nine-thirty.” Rowdy laughed at me. “Besides, I think Maddy and my sister already made plans for tonight, so you might want to rethink that.”

My brain couldn’t compute that immediately. “Plans? What plans?”

“Rain told me you can pick up Maddy at her place. They headed out a few minutes ago, with Krista leading the way.” Rowdy’s grin softened. “Krista was saying something about a girls’ night, but they were already out the door, so I didn’t get all of it. Rain said to stop by on your way home to see if Maddy wanted to go home with you, but if I know Krista, she’s gonna get her way.”

I got Rain’s address from Rowdy then headed out. I’d never been to Rain’s home, and honestly, I was curious as hell. I’d imagined getting invited inside Rain’s house at some point. Imagined what we could do all alone. I hadn’t factored in two kids being there.

Probably better to have chaperones so I didn’t make a fool out of myself and do something I couldn’t take back.

When I pulled up to her house, I had to smile because this place looked like Rain. It was just fucking adorable. A small Cape Cod on a side street filled with other small homes, each one different in its own way.

Rain’s house was stone, with a bright blue door and two large windows on the first floor, where light spilled out onto the small patch of yard. I pulled into the tiny driveway and parked in front of Rain’s garage. I could barely hear music coming from thehouse and when I walked up to the door, I saw Maddy and Krista dancing around the living room.

Maddy actually looked happy. Carefree. Like the kid she was supposed to be.

I didn’t want to walk in there and interrupt. Didn’t want to disrupt Maddy’s fun.

Dammit, I should’ve called before rushing over here.

Wind whipped down the street, the cold piercing my clothing and making me shiver. I couldn’t stand out here all night. I just needed to make sure Maddy wanted to stay. And that Rain was okay with the company.

I knocked on the door and immediately heard someone running toward the door. I was smiling when Krista flung it open, curls a wild halo around her head and her smile so wide it had to hurt.

“Mr. Whiskers! Are you here to party too?”

I don’t know how anyone could resist that smile. “I don’t know. Am I allowed to join?”

“Of course. Everyone’s allowed to join.”

Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. Maddy stood to the left, staring at me like I’d caught her doing something she shouldn’t. I hated that she felt like she wasn’t allowed to have fun.

“Hey, Mads. You have a good time at the game?”

I saw her gaze go to the bruise on my jaw, where I’d taken an errant stick to the face, before she nodded.

“You okay, Uncle Bri?”

“Ooh, you got a boo-boo, Mr. Whiskers. Rowdy gets those too sometimes.”

“I’m fine. Doesn’t even hurt.” But it would tomorrow. I knew that from experience. The girls didn’t need to know that though.

“I can get you some ice for that.”

Rain spoke from somewhere behind me, and I turned to see her staring at me, her expression not giving anything away.

“Nah, I’m good. I’ll go home and put some on.”

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