Page 85 of One Touch

Reese was the first to notice us. “Great game, guys!”

Everyone turned, the sound decreasing to only the children chasing each other around the room. Landon swooped in for a dual hug, followed by Braden, Reese, and Cam. Once they were clear, I broke free and kissed my mother on the cheek.

“Son, you played wonderfully.”

“Thanks, Mom. Not going to say anything about the kiss?”

“What kiss?” she teased. True to her word, she hadn’t used my relationship with Miller to her advantage. It seemed she was going to stick with it. “It’s lovely to see you again, Miller.”

Miller kissed her other cheek and gave her a big hug. Evangeline Silver was no match for the loveable man and had fallen under his spell.

“Lovely as ever, Evangeline.” My mother preened under his praise before turning to his parents. “Mom, Dad, so glad you could make it. Have you met Lathan’s mother?”

Miller introduced everyone, though it seemed they had bonded in the box during the game. I loved that hockey had the power to do that.

“Hell of a shot,” a deep voice said behind me. I turned and almost choked on my tongue.

“Reed Cole. Um, thanks.”

Reese snorted at my reaction and smacked the brute in the stomach. “Stop scaring my friends.”

“I didn’t do anything,” he protested.

“Daddy!” a little girl squealed as she ran into him. He scooped her up into his arms, and his whole demeanor changed. Henley Henshaw, Reese’s sister, strolled over with the baby my mom had been holding in her arms.

“Sorry to dip out, but this one needs to be fed and then put to bed,” she said, motioning toward the baby boy.

“Thanks for coming,” Miller said, hugging Henley, Reed Cole, and Fletcher Cromwell. Another blond guy walked out with them, laden down with more bags than two kids seemed to need, but what did I know?

“We’re going to head out, too. Braden has to be in Seattle for tomorrow.”

“Good luck,” I said, clapping him on the back. Cam and Landon hadn’t made the playoffs this year, but Braden’s team was still in it. The room became quieter after a round of goodbyes to my brother and his family.

Miller and I stood together, chatting with everyone until the yawns caught up with us.

“We should let you both go. We’ll see you in the morning for brunch.”

“Thanks for coming,” Miller said to his parents.

“Of course, honey. We don’t know much about what is going on, but we love watching you play,” his mom said.

“Reese was teaching us the rules. They have a way of making it make sense,” his dad added.

“And I traded bracelets with them,” Lottie said, showing off her arm.

“Oh! I got one for you,” I said, remembering the one Miller had helped me make.

I pulled it out of my pocket and handed it to her. In block letters, it read “LILSIS.” She squealed when she read it and threw her arms around me.

“Yay! Another brother.”

Miller chuckled and tugged on her braids. “Hey! He’s mine first.”

“We can share,” she said, not backing down.

“Not happening,” he teased, wrapping his arms around my middle so I was bound by two Fahns.

I turned my head and kissed his cheek. “I’ve never had a little sister,” I said. Miller smiled and relented.

---