Page 65 of Don't Look Back

“Do you follow hockey?” Jax perks up at the idea of having someone to talk to.

“I do. I don’t follow any specific team, but I love watching games.”

“I think you just lost your fiancé to Jax,” Charlie mock whispers as she wraps her arms around me.

Between her living in California for so long and me living in Maple Springs, I haven’t seen her in almost ten years.

“She’s not losing me to anyone,” Colt says, taking my hand in his. He never stops his conversation with Jax though.

“The real question is do you like hockey or baseball more?” Wyatt steps up next to Colt with a big grin on his face.

“How often do they fight over which sport is better?” I arch a brow.

“Every damn time they get together,” Wes sighs. “It’s so much worse when we’re at home since Leo plays with Wyatt. It’s always two against two. I just don’t watch any of them anymore.”

“Oh, that’s such a lie! Whenever the Pit Bulls or Pythons play, you’re practically glued to the TV! Last week I fell asleep during a game and woke up to you screaming like a crazy man because Jax got a penalty for elbowing some jerk in the face.”

“Did ya like that, Pops?” Jax lifts his chin with a smirk on his face.

“He deserved worse.”

“This isn't the minors anymore, Dad. We can’t be throwing elbows every chance we get or slamming people into the glass.” Cody rolls his eyes, but he’s not annoyed. I think he’s entertained.

“Exactly how many professional sports players are in your family?” Colton asks as soon as we get a moment to ourselves.

“Well, Jax and Cody play hockey for the Pythons. Wyatt’s married to my cousin, Charlie, and he plays baseball for the Pit Bulls. No one else in my direct family plays anything.”

“What about your indirect family?” He teases me.

“So, Uncle Wes has a massive pseudo-family. He treats everyone like family so it’s hard to keep up with. I know at least three of his friends have sons that play with Wyatt. Scouts are showing interest in Wyatt’s little brother. He might be going pro after high school for football.”

“Geez, any other famous people I should know about?” Colt runs his fingers through his hair and shakes his head.

“How much time do you have?” I scrunch up my nose.

“I’m not sure if I should be impressed or terrified of your connections.” He wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me against him. “I'm glad I'm on your good side. I don’t want to know what it’s like to be hated by the people who have your back.”

Chapter 37

Colton

Six Months ater

Tugging open the door to the elementary school, I glance around at the kids rushing through the halls. School is going to start in five minutes, but they don’t seem to have a care in the world. They only have a week left of school before summer and they’re so excited.

I smile as I enter the office and find my beautiful wife sitting behind her desk. Sometimes it still catches me off guard to see her with blonde hair instead of dark brown. She’s so stunning no matter what color hair she has though.

After we came home from Philadelphia, she went to the salon and bleached her hair. The stylist was able to get the color so close to her natural color that you can't even tell it’s growing out. She’s so much happier now and I think part of it has to do with finally looking like she did before she met Jimmy.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

Zoey jumps to her feet and rushes around her desk to greet me with a big hug and a kiss.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to check on my wife. Is that ok?”

“Of course.” She smiles as a few little girls run down the hallway screaming at the top of their lungs.

---