Page 156 of Wild Blades

“It’s not that simple.”

“No, but like you said, it’s a start.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Wade

“What’s up, pretty boy?” Leon startles me as he slaps my bicep, followed by Ash, Thomas, Joe, Brayden, the Eagles assistant coach, and lastly Buster Matthews.

Buster Matthews? What the hell is he doing here?He’s an Eagles legend. Played for them from the age of eighteen, and after he retired, started writing crime books. He also owns a sports bar in Edmonton with Leon. One I always avoided, because I knew they’d call Ash and Brayden as soon as I arrived.

Too shocked to move, I’m rooted to the spot as they invade my home. They’re like giant ants all over my kitchen, in my fridge, putting the kettle on, and helping themselves to food.

“What the hell are you all doing here?” I ask, sounding disorientated and wondering if they all drove out here to Caulder Creek together. I can’t imagine spending two hours in a car with Leon. He’s hyper twenty-four-seven.

“We’ve come to save you from yourself.” Leon dips his hand into the biscuit tin. Lucky for him, I had groceries delivered this morning, or he’d come out empty handed.

“What?” I slam the door shut, causing a huge waft of cold air to flow into the house.

“Marcus’s press release will go live in two hours. You can’t be here by yourself when that happens.” Ash comes over to stand by my side and wraps his huge arm around my shoulder. “It’s like girls’ night without the girls. We’re like the best gal pals you ever had. I’ll be your shoulder to cry on.” Ash grabs my head and lays it on his shoulder. “Buster looks good in panties though, so if you grab a pillow, he’ll show you his moves and the best way to win a pillow fight.”

“It was one time, for fuck’s sake.” Buster groans, making everyone laugh.

“Jordy sends his love, by the way.” Ash kisses my cheek. “He couldn’t make it today. Game tonight, Brayden was given a hall pass.”

“Aw, look at you two. You look cute together.” Brayden points at Ash and I, then stuffs a cookie into his mouth. “And when the hell are you coming back to work? It’s not the same without you. No one fights like you do. It’s boring as hell out on the ice.”

I push Ash away from my side, making him laugh. “You’re a bunch of assholes.”

“Anyone want some grilled cheese?” Leon asks, switching on the stove.

“Oh yeah, just help yourself.” I drop into one of the dining chairs to watch how this plays out because I have no idea what the hell is happening in my own home.

Thomas, who has been quiet this entire time, pulls out one of the chairs and sits beside me. “This is what you need.”

“You sure about that?” I’m particular about the way things are in the house. It’s the way Gretchen left everything. “Don’t move any of the decorations or Gretchen’s things, please.”

Brayden mock salutes me in acknowledgment. “We won’t.”

“They all want to help,” Thomas says in his calming voice.

“They’re making a mess.”

Joe parks his backside on the chair on the other side of me. “And they will clean it up after.”

Thomas grabs my shoulder firmly. “We’ve given you enough time. So, tell me, how have you been?”

“I've been better.”

“It’s a lot to process,” Joe adds, making Thomas nod his head in agreement.

I let out a huge sigh and focus my attention on a dot on the table, because the guys are destroying my kitchen and it’s stressing me out. “I don’t know how I feel anymore. It’s like there’s this pressure.”

“Where do you feel it the most?” Thomas asks.

“Here.” I point to the back of my neck. “My head.” I rest my elbows on the table and push my fingertips into my temples. “Here.” I rub the sore spot between my eyes. “And it hurts in here the most.” I lay my hand over my heart.

He then asks, “Did your conversation with Marcus help yesterday?”

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