Page 32 of Over the Moon

Bring it on, Grumpy Smurf.

“Did you tell Emilia that you’re training my brother? That he’s been improving every day,” he said, putting his hand up to stop me before I started to answer. “Specifically, did you mention that you and he went out on the ice for the first time this week?”

“I-I, er, yes? Emilia and I met for dinner after Clark and I had gone to the ice rink. Was it supposed to be a secret?”

“Nope. Just a fact. Thanks for clearing that up,” he said, looking directly at Clark.

“Come on,” Clark said. “There were several people at the ice skating rink. And everyone in town knows that I’m training withEloise because she’s living here full-time while she’s training me. It’s not a secret. You’re reaching.”

“What am I missing?” I asked hesitantly, directing my question to Lulu and Henley.

“TheTaylor Teawrote an article about Clark getting out on the ice for the first time yesterday. They made it sound like there was an issue because he was skating with his physical therapist, so they assumed something must be wrong.” She shrugged. “But Emilia Taylor is not the only person who knew you were there.”

“Oh, do we think that Old Man Moe, a man who can barely form a complete sentence, is writing a weekly column in theTaylor Tea?” Bridger hissed. “Come on, now. The man had his pants on inside out the last time I saw him. He’s not savvy enough to pull this off.”

“Old Man Moe runs the ice rink,” Henley whispered, leaning over Lulu to fill me in.

“Emilia assured me that she is not involved in the family business. In fact, she has no idea who is writing that column,” I said, reaching for my glass of wine because the man across the table looked like he might murder me.

“Oh, then, by all means, if Emilia doesn’t admit that she’s the devil, she must not be,” he deadpanned, his voice void of all emotion.

“Bridger, you need to take it down about twenty notches. You’re being rude.” Keaton stared hard at his son.

Ellie smiled at me and then turned her attention to her eldest child. “Yes, you should listen to that song I sent you from Jelly Roll, “Dead End Road.” It’s about how you’ve got to stop living on a dead-end road.”

“And you’ve got to stop quoting Jelly Roll to get your point across, Mom,” Bridger grouched, and more laughs filled the room.

“Honey, I’m telling you, that man is deep in thought. TheTaylor Teais not something you can control. You need to quit living on that dead-end road, my love,” Ellie said.

Rafe took a moment to contain his laughter as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I agree, brother. You need to let it go,” Rafe said.

“Yeah. I really like Emilia. I just stopped by her shop and got a couple of bouquets for the house, and she’s really great. I think you’re misreading her.” Lulu lifted her wine glass and took a sip.

“And she would be happy to sub on the Chad-Six anytime we need her,” Henley said, softening her gaze as she looked at Bridger.

“I saw her play during free play, and I think we can pass on that offer.” Easton shrugged before looking at me. “Sorry. No offense to her. I just like to win.”

Axel barked out a laugh. “At the rate people are dropping from the Chad-Six, I wouldn’t count her out.”

“Well, if you all choose to wear blinders, be my guest. If she plays on our team, I will walk.” Bridger spread some butter on a roll and set it down on Melody’s plate.

“Thanks, Unc-ee,” she said, which was damn cute coming out of that sweet girl’s little mouth. “What’s bwinders?”

“Blinders,” Bridger said, surprising me with how patient he spoke to his niece. “It’s when people show you who they are, and you choose not to see them.”

“Doesn’t Jelly Roll have a song about that, too?” Isabelle asked.

“What is the deal with Jelly Roll?” I leaned forward and whispered to Lulu and Henley.

“Ellie and Keaton went on tour for a few weeks with Jelly Roll. They followed him all over the US,” Lulu said. “And Isabelle and Carlisle joined them in a few cities.”

“They’re superfans,” Henley said over her laughter.

Keaton was still discussing the meaning behind the lyrics to a particular song, and Bridger looked displeased.

“Okay, can we move on from this ridiculous Emilia Taylor discussion? I get to start running in a few days, so cheers to that.” Clark held up his beer bottle and clinked it against my wine glass, and everyone joined in.

“I think Eloise might be a little stronger player than you are on the court, so I’ll leave it up to you guys to decide who plays,” Easton said, reaching for another roll.

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