Page 22 of At the Edge with You

CHAPTER

TEN

Jett

“Well, hot damn, is that Fable Winthrop?”

I glance over at my buddy Liam Cutler and then follow his gaze to where Fable sits with the Belles. My girls and Kitty have their cross-stitching projects out in front of them as they all stare at me. Even Fable is watching me. Heat courses through my body, and I stand a bit taller. I don’t know why they’re staring at me, but I sure do enjoy my ice princess’s eyes on me. Her fingers are picking at the label of her beer as she watches me thoughtfully.

What the hell are you thinking, ice princess?

And why do I have the need to yank off my jersey, have her wear it while I play shirtless?

Would she like that?

God, she drives me insane.

Swallowing hard, I tear my gaze from my fan club to look at Liam. He’s been my buddy for years; we went to school together and always kept in touch. He went off to play for Alabama but didn’t make it to the NHL. Instead, he came home and took a job with the Ice Thistle as our AAA manager and the 16U coach. He’sbeen working for us for over ten years, and I’m proud of how hard he works to make our teams successful.

He’s a good dude, around 6’2” and built like an ox. He’s good-looking, I guess, and a catch, but he hasn’t been in a relationship since Chelsea’s mom. Jaime, his ex, is a great co-parent, and I always wonder if he regrets breaking it off with her. They got pregnant with Chelsea at sixteen, and thankfully, Jaime was super supportive of his dream to play hockey and moved with him to Alabama. While he got his degree in sport management, Jaime got hers in accounting at night school, so someone was always with Chelsea. They tried to make it work, but they were too young and ended up parting ways when Chelsea was around ten. Jaime is happily married, while Liam is happily coaching and living his best life.

“She’s fucking hot. Did you see her flash everyone at the funeral? I’m pretty sure she had no panties on,” he says, waggling his brows, and my face twists in confusion but also anger.

I’ve never heard him talk like he’s interested in anyone.

And I sure as fuck don’t like him finding her attractive.

What the hell?

Dean Moore leans in and nods. He is the youngest fire chief in town history. He went to school with us, played hockey for a D2 school, and came home when he was done. While he is a firefighter, he subs a lot for us since he stays back at the firehouse while his buddies all play for their team, the Hat Trick Heroes. Thistlebrook doesn’t have much crime or even many fires. The fire department is usually busy during travel hockey season, though, so he plays a lot more during their off times. He has a daughter, Skyye, who’s fourteen. He never loved her mom—they’re better as friends—but he sure loves Skyye.

With a glint I sure as hell don’t like, he says, “So hot. Is she single?”

I blink, completely caught off guard. Sure, we’ve discussed women we find attractive, but they don’t get to talk about Fable like that.

Hell, I don’t even want them looking at her.

I try to control the confusing fury that is coursing through me. I don’t understand it. I’m pissed that she owns half of the Thistle now, that once more, my dreams are being controlled by the Winthrops. I am thankful she is staying since I don’t want it to go to Richie, but fuck, it’s supposed to be mine. I don’t want to run it with her. I want to run it by myself and prove that I am worthy of doing so. I should hate her; I should want to make her leave, but I know I can’t.

And not because the Ice Thistle will go to Richie.

No. Because I want her here.

But I don’t want anyone talking about her. Or asking if she’s single.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The fury is almost crushing as I grit out, “She’s off-limits.”

I feel their gazes, but I don’t look at them. Dean scoffs. “Is that right?”

“Why?” Liam asks, leaning on the boards as everyone warms up. We should be doing the same since our hips aren’t what they used to be, but none of us moves. “Finally going to shoot your shot?”

I roll my eyes, but I don’t know if I’m believable. “Not at all. She’s working here for a year. She has no interest in getting attached.”

My statement isn’t all lies.

Dean grins. “Hey, no one said that hooking up leads to getting attached.”

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