Page 88 of Waiting Game

“I did!” he defends. “But then she’s vetting the rest. You know she’s going to struggle putting up with someone else in our lives. I figured the least I could do was let her have the final say.”

“You watch. You’ll end up with some kind of Tolkien-esque troll.”

Liam grins. “I don’t mind. If she’s jealous then it means I gotta up my game so she knows she doesn’t have to worry about any bullshit like that.”

I hook an arm around his neck. “You’re soooooo thoughtful, Liam,” I croon then smack a kiss on his cheek.

“Fuck off.” He shoves me in the side even as he’s swiping his cheek on his shoulder.

“Leave my fiancé alone.”

Both our heads pop up at the reprimand as we spot Gracie walking down the tunnel that leads to the parking lot.

Liam shoots her a dopey smile. “Hey,bébé.”

“What did I tell you about using dirty words at work?” she grouses, even as she leans up on tiptoe and presses a soft but quick kiss on his lips.

“Since when was that a dirty word?” I argue, peeling the banana and taking a massive bite.

They look at me; Liam’s expression is smug, but Gracie’s is world-weary like she’s a parent with a bawling kid on a flight. “Piece it together, Cole. Jesus Christ.”

“Ew,” I whine, mock-gagging on the banana. “I’m too young to hear this shit.”

“Then go outside, brat. I have to speak to Liam.”

“Are you going to fuck in the tunnel?” I inquire with a fake leer.

Gracie frowns at me. “Do you think I’m shooting porn here, Cole? I got a Stanley Cup to win.”

I raise my hands in defeat and toss the banana into the nearest trash can. “It’s my role in life to give you shit. And, in my defense, I never mentioned you getting caught fucking in the hot tub last season?—”

“Why did I trade for him again?” she asks Liam.

“Because he was wasting away with the Blue Demons.”

Gracie winces. “Yeah, I forgot about that.”

“It’s wonderful to feel loved,” I drawl, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “If you’re going to ask Liam about Bradley, then I’ll gladly snitch—the fucker’s using bag skates as punishment.” With a wink at Liam when Gracie turns bright red with fury, I murmur, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

As I walk off, I find Burrows’s one of the few cars remaining in the lot. When I jump in, he passes me a protein shake and I accept it gratefully.

“To the stables, sir?”

“Korhonen, Burrows. Honestly, it makes me feel like you’re talking to my father and no one needs that.”

Burrows smiles a little. “Very well, Korhonen.”

I grunt. “Yup. The stables.”

A deep yawn escapes me as I rock my head back against the rest.

These earlier-than-usual starts and late nights are fucking with me. I’m already up before the sun, but this routine with Mia is killer. Still, it’s worth it.

I grin at nothing when I think of what happened with her this morning until my cell buzzes.

Drawing it from my pocket, my brows lift when I see that she’s sent me a message.

Oooh, I forgot we could do this now.

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