Page 46 of Power Forward

I let out a sharp gasp, and my hips automatically press up into his touch. “I’m sure I can make it happen.”

“Good.” He moves in closer, taking my bottom lip in his mouth before kissing me hot and fast. But before it can go any further, he pulls away, stands up, and adjusts himself. “I think we both need a minute, but are you ready to be welcomed into chaos?”

My grin almost splits my face in two. “I’m more than ready.”

“Hayden?” Isabela appears at my side, peering up at me with her wide blue eyes that are an exact match to Jackson’s. “Can I have a drink?”

“Yeah, of course,” I say with a smile. I take her cup from her and refill it with water from the fridge. I slowly crouch down and hand it over. “Do you need anything else?”

She shakes her head and whispers a quiet “thank you” before running back into the family room with her cup.

Any nerves I had about being around Jackson’s kids have vanished because these last few days have been incredible. Jackson wasn’t kidding when he said the kids were excited to see me that morning. From the moment I got downstairs, they were back to full energy and smothered me with attention. I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. Ryan was asking me a million questions about my time in the NHL, and Isabela had been so obsessed with my tattoos, Jackson had to force her coloring book in front of her to give my skin a break.

I’d let her do whatever she wanted as long as she felt comfortable with me, but it turns out she can get obsessive, and Jackson doesn’t want to enable that behavior.

He had an away game in Philadelphia last night, so his parents had the kids to keep to their routine. It was the first night we had alone together, but by the time he got home, I was fast asleep in his bed, and we didn’t have time foranything this morning as the kids came back early when his parents arrived to help with dinner.

And that’s another thing. I wasn’t anticipating this many people to come for Thanksgiving. I thought maybe Peyton, considering he’s now single, and possibly Zach, as Carter is in Denver because he has a game tomorrow.

Jackson’s parents, Peyton, and Zach are both here, along with Elliot, Blaine, and Alex, and Ethan and Jacob are on their way. If they think it’s weird that I’m here, they haven’t said anything, but I wouldn’t be surprised if when a certain Mr. Ethan Parkes turns up, there will be some questioning looks. Especially after he caught us sneaking back downstairs at Peyton’s Halloween party. The only person who’s missing is Jackson’s sister, but she’s spending the day with her husband’s family.

“What isthat?” Elliot points to a dish with slight disgust.

I follow the direction of his hand, then swallow down my laughter. “Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.”

His eyes widen. “Withmarshmallows?”

“You’ve never had it before?”

“No!” He practically lies on top of the counter and takes a deep inhale. “It smells fucking awesome, though. Like my teeth are gonna fall out.”

“Whose teeth are falling out?” Blaine appears with a beer in hand.

“Mine when I eat that.” Elliot points to the casserole. “Have you ever had sweet potatoes with marshmallows?”

“Uhh, no? Who would put marshmallows with potatoes?”

“It’s a holiday classic, you dingus.” I grin at the twins’ puzzled faces.

“I thought you were Canadian?” Elliot frowns.

“I was born in Maine, but I grew up in Nova Scotia.” I roll my eyes. “You two were clearly deprived as children if you’ve never had this.”

“Maybe.” Blaine shrugs. “Do you know what time the old man is getting here?”

I arch a brow, urging him to elaborate.

“Ethan,” he clarifies.

“Old man? He’s the same age as me.”

Blaine looks me up and down, then shrugs again. “Yeah, do you know when he’s getting here?”

My mouth drops open. “You asshole.”

“Hey! My husband had a crush on you, I’m allowed to be mean to you.”

“It doesn’t work like that.” Alex appears, patting his hand on Blaine’s ass. “I was a teenager when I had a crush on Hayden. Plus, I marriedyou, remember.”

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