Page 262 of Come Back to Me

“Christmasiscoming up in a couple months,” Mike teases.

“The house is overflowing with hockey players who are here for my bro’s wedding.”

“Shit time to get married. Even I know most of ‘em get married in the off-season.”

“Cole’s hockey family is Canadian so he knew they would come if he held it on Thanksgiving.”

“Oh, shit. Of course.”

“For the most part, the schedule’s worked out for him. He plays in New York but there’s no game between Saturday night and Wednesday, when they have to be in the city.”

“That is lucky.”

“Some of his friends can only be there for the ceremony before flying out again. They laid on a private jet to get everyone back to Chicago in time. Then, they have to fly to their respective homes.”

“How the other half lives,” he drawls.

“Guess it’s proof that he’s found his people.”

“How does that make you feel?”

“I’m happy for him but… it makes me remember that I lost mine.”

“You’re finding a new place for yourself though, aren’t you? At the detachment.”

“No.” I grimace. “Maybe. Marty’s all right. Dion’s a twatwaffle—Tee’s label, not mine. It’s quieter than I’d like, but that’s probably what I need. Nunez’s competence is appreciated, but that makes sense—he served too.” Brogan’s big, wet nose nuzzles my chin. “I have extra roles now.” The sanctuary takes up a lot of my time, despite having Bree and Sinjin on board.

“That’s good.”

“Is it?”

“You tell me.”

“I…” I hesitate. Then, I think about how goddamn happy Cole was when his guests and hockey fam started showing up at the ranch and how that happiness increased with every incoming guest. “…wish it were my wedding.”

He whistles. “Big step.”

“I know. Too fast.”

“Statement or question?”

“Statement and wishful thinking.” I release a breath but can’t deny that I feel better for making the admission. “They’re breaking ground on a plot of land on my family’s ranch in a couple weeks.”

“What about it? The dog haven you mentioned before?”

“No, they broke ground on that a few weeks back. I wanted to get started on my own place?—”

“Oh, the life of the idle rich. With a click of your fingers, architects have all the plans ready and local government just rolls over so you can scratch their belly.”

“Has to come with some perks,” I jeer then wince. “I know it’s unfair.”

“Didn’t stop you from abusing the system.”

“No. It didn’t.”

“Your conversation’s very sporadic today. Are you getting tired of living with your family?”

“I’m getting tired of sharing Tee with my family.”

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