Page 28 of Worth the Chase

“I am the most charming. But the competition is pretty bleak,” I added with a grin.

The truth was that I was good with people. I liked making them happy and felt like it never took much for that to happen.

“What do you think?” Thomas asked before eyeing both of us.

“I’m not sure why we never thought about it before, to be honest,” Patrick said.

I suddenly felt like things were starting to look up.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but didn’t want to pressure Matthew before he was ready,” Thomas added. “Would you even be interested?”

I found myself nodding. “I would. I mean, I only know half the stuff Dad does, but I think I could be really good at it. Maybe. What do you think he’ll say?”

That was the real question. I had no idea if our dad would back this or push against it. My brothers had been here, making a name for themselves at the resort, while I’d been away, playing hockey.

“Leave Dad to me,” Thomas said. “But the three of us will have to meet with him at some point. He won’t believe that you want to do this unless he hears it from your mouth directly.”

“Sounds good to me,” Patrick said as he pushed to a stand. “We done here?”

My brother couldn’t wait to get back to work. I wanted to feel that way again. I’d assumed that nothing could make me feel as passionate and fired up as playing professional hockey, but this was the most excitement I’d felt since I’d been back. Bells and all the things I wanted to do to her aside.

“I put an offer in on a house,” I announced, and Patrick sat right back down.

“What?” both of my brothers asked in unison.

“When?” Thomas wondered.

“I literally just suggested that to you the other day,” Patrick added with an incredulous look.

“And I listened to you.” I grinned, letting him think it was all his idea. “Bells took me. We put in an offer, and we’re going back and forth a little in negotiations. But I love this fucking house,” I said as the weight on my heart started to feel a little bit lighter.

Things in my life were maybe going to be okay. I had lost my hockey career, but I could still turn out all right. Maybe, just maybe, I could have it all.

“Did she go under duress?” Patrick asked, referring to Bells.

“Did you have to kidnap her?” Thomas laughed, and I growled at them both. “I bet he had to kidnap her.”

“Definitely forced her to go.” Patrick nodded in agreement.

“Are you two done?”

“Not really,” Thomas said.

“This is fun.” Patrick grinned.

I sat there and took it, knowing that I’d been just as annoying to the two of them since I’d moved back home. But being on this end of the verbal jabbing was nowhere near as enjoyable as being the one who was doing it.

“Where’s the house at?” Thomas cocked his head to the side.

“It’s in the Knolls. Gated. Land. Stunning,” I answered. “As soon as they say it’s mine, we’ll go see it.”

That little bud of excitement started blooming in my chest again. It had been crushed since the day I’d gotten injured on the ice and never made a full recovery. I could have continued playing in the league. My coach would have let me, but I’d never be the same kind of player that I used to be and we all knew it. That was why I retired. So, looking forward to something new felt foreign. A little uncomfortable even.

“This is big news. Congratulations.”

Thomas stood and reached for me, pulling me into a hug.

“Thanks. Not mine yet, but hopefully soon.”

---