Page 56 of Power Forward

“Oh, wow, thanks.”

It’s not until I take the first bite that my stomach rumbles loudly. Shit, I think I skipped lunch.

“So, how’s Hayden?” Alex asks.

I swallow down my bite of bagel and glance up. His eyes sparkle with a knowing look. I’m about to open my mouth, ready to play dumb, when Jacob comes rushing out of the kitchen.

“Wait! Don’t answer that without me!” He quickly walksover and nudges Alex with his hip to move up so he can sit down.

My gaze darts between the two brothers. Both of them are wearing matching bright expressions.

“How is Mr. Tall, Blond, and Handsome?” Jacob asks. He lets out a happy sigh and props his chin on his hand.

“Don’t think we didn’t notice the tension between you at my wedding.” Alex smirks.

“Or how you came downstairs pretty much together at Peyton’s Halloween party,” Jacob adds.

“Or—” Alex’s lips tip into a wicked grin as he continues. “—the way you kept making heart eyes at each other at Thanksgiving.”

I shoot my gaze down at Isabela. She’s not paying any attention to us as she’s too engrossed in eating her cupcake.

“You two are hellions,” I grumble under my breath. “We might be seeing each other.”

Jacob lets out a loud “whoop,” and Alex fist bumps the air.

“I think Hayden’s great. He’s done so much for Blaine over the years. And let’s be honest, he’s really easy on the eyes.”

“Don’t let Blaine hear you say that,” I chuckle.

Blaine’s oddly possessive over Alex, something I know Hayden likes to wind him up about whenever he can.

“Eh, it’s all part of the fun. But seriously, I’m happy for you both.”

“Me too,” Jacob agrees. “And I’m assuming this is on the DL?”

I nod, lifting my hand to rub the back of my neck. “Uh, yeah, it is.”

Alex mimics zipping his lips. But Jacob scrunches up his nose. “Ethan’s the one who pointed it out, so I can’t exactly stay secret. But he’s the only one who knows!”

This doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. Ethan has always been so observant.

At the mention of his partner, I seize the opportunity to change the subject. “How’s his recovery going?”

“It’s all going well, except he’s bored. I think with this being his first season in retirement and having to spend it resting, it’s been a bad combo, but he’s getting there.”

“Daddy,” Isabela whines quietly and holds up her frosting-covered hands.

While I’m wiping her hands clean with a napkin, Jacob must have gotten up and boxed up a few more cupcakes because he slides a box in front of me on the table.

“One for Ryan and yourself and another one for Isabela.” He smiles.

“Thank you.”

He gives me a wink, then lowers his voice. “Let me know when Hayden’s next in town. I’ll make sure you have some more of those and let you in on a little secret that’ll bring a whole new meaning to if you use too much frosting, it won’t fit in your mouth.”

My jaw drops open.

Is he implying what I think he is?

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