Page 52 of Wild Desire

She glanced over at me. "Are you getting at something? I know Tori and Xander worked out, and they were friends as kids."

"And Walker and Addison dated in high school and got back together. I'm just saying maybe those relationships shouldn't be dismissed so easily. They're important because they shape us."

"That's an interesting idea."

"I'm feeling sentimental since I'm home," I said, suddenly uncomfortable that she hadn't seen the parallel with our relationship. But then again, we had been friends but not in the way that Xander and Tori were. We had been teammates, and I was her captain; it was a little different.

"I like this new side of you. You used to be all about snowboarding."

"I still am, but I'm starting to see that there's so much more out there. It's like I was living half a life before. Now I want to spend time with Joey and get to know Dakota. I don't want life to pass me by."

Noelle reached across the console and touched my thigh, squeezing it. "You're a good man, Killian."

All the air whooshed out of my lungs at the contact. My heart was beating overtime. She moved her hand away too soon. She pulled up to my parents' house that was tucked into the woods, giving us privacy from the resort.

The driveway was lined with trucks and SUVs. It looked like everyone was already here. "Are you ready to hang out with my family?"

"Are you sure it's okay that I'm here?" Noelle asked.

I smiled reassuringly at her. "They won't even notice an extra person."

Noelle gave me a dubious look right before the door opened, and my mom stood there, her gaze shifting from me to Noelle. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Mom held her arms out, and Noelle walked into them.

"Thank you for taking care of my boy. He can be stubborn sometimes."

"Mom," I chided but couldn't help but chuckle when Noelle said, "He is grumpy."

Dad appeared behind Mom's shoulder. "Dinner's almost ready, and everyone's here."

Noelle hugged my dad while I greeted Mom. "I'm so glad Noelle is here."

"Me too," I said.

I greeted Dad, and then we headed inside to the kitchen where everyone was gathered around the island. There was finger food to snack on and glasses for drinks. Dakota was playing with Joey in the living room. It looked like some kind of card game.

I greeted my brothers one by one, starting with Xander.

"You came to see me, didn't you?" Xander asked with a smirk.

Tori looped her hand through his elbow. "Ignore him. He's giving Killian a hard time."

Noelle's brow furrowed. "Why would he do that?"

I leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Because he's my brother and he can."

Oliver stepped forward next. "Good to have you here, Noelle. You remember Carolina?"

"It's good to see you again," Noelle said.

Carolina guided Noelle around the rest of the room.

I didn't like her being away from me. I wasn't sure what my idiot brothers were going to say to her. I moved to follow her when Oliver approached, stopping me.

He raised a brow. "You brought her here because?—"

"It's family dinner night, and she's staying with me."

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