Page 88 of War

Yeah, I’ve heard from him. He texts nonstop. But I haven’t told anyone. I’m embarrassed. And if Tyler found out, he’d probably pay his stepbrother a visit. The last thing Tyler needs while we’re working to adopt Josie is to end up in a fight with Xander, but if he knew what Xander was texting me, his fists would fly.

“He’s texted a few times.”

Hannah holds out her hand. “Give me.”

“What? No.” I push back my chair, as if that will stop my determined fixer.

“Ava Marie Warren, give me your damn phone, or I’ll tell Beckettyou’re upset that he didn’t throw you an engagement party. If I have to do that, we both know you’ll have the entire city of Boston offering you well wishes when he puts on a parade in honor of all the love matches he likes to take credit for.”

Sara dissolves into a fit of giggles. Swiping at her eyes, she sucks in a breath. “He so would.”

Grumbling a few pretty curses, I take out my phone and hand it to Hannah.

With every text she reads, her face grows redder and more creative obscenities escape her. The girls pass it around, and when the device makes it back to me, I stare down at the messages, my stomach sinking.

Xander: What the fuck is this about you marrying my asshole stepbrother? Is this some kind of ploy to get me to apologize? Okay, fine. I’m sorry I left you there. But how the fuck are we supposed to get married and have kids if the guys my father works with think you play stupid games like this?

Xander: Ava, pick up your phone.

Xander. Call me.

Xander: The marriage is REAL?

Xander: You cunt. My mother says you really married the asshole. This is fucking insane.

Xander: Okay, you’ve made your point. Now pick up the goddamn phone so we can work this out.

Xander: Did you move in with the asshole? I just stopped by your place, and the doorman says you don’t live there anymore.

Xander: WHAT THE FUCK, AVA?

Xander: CALL ME.

Xander: Slut.

Eyes unfocused, I ignore the rest of the chain. He hasn’t stopped. The most recent came in an hour ago.

Xander: Having dinner with my parents and your asshole husband tonight? Nice. I seriously don’t know what the fuck happened to you.

He’s not wrong. I don’t recognize myself anymore either. But unlike him, I see the change as a positive thing. I’m so glad I’m no longer the woman I was when I thought Xander was a good guy and Tyler was the asshole. I truly had it all wrong back then.

Changing the subject, I say, “I need to get a birthday present for Tyler. What the heck do you get a guy who can buy himself anything he wants?”

Hannah’s lips curve up deviously. “Oh, hunny. The only thing that man wants from you is something he can’t buy.”

Sara giggles. “Yup. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do a little shopping this afternoon to make his gift look extra pretty.”

Lennox leans forward, a big smile on her face. “She means you. You’re the only gift your husband needs. And we’re going to make sure we give him something pretty to unwrap.”

THIRTY-FOUR

TYLER

“How are things with the wife?”

Fitz and I have been watching film of Seattle to prepare for our next game. Brooks too, but he just stepped out to take a call. Goalies are some of the most dedicated players in hockey. They play far more than the rest of us. We’re subbed out every few minutes, but Brooks typically plays an entire game, and the stress is nothing short of incredible. That’s the reason I choose to do extra sessions with them when it doesn’t conflict with my own training. Every moment I spend with him makes me better at what I do and who I am.

Might be an odd choice for my birthday, but knowing I have to see Dory tonight has made it impossible to relax. I swear if she so much as looks at Ava the wrong way, I’ll lose it.

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