Page 60 of Second-Rate Superstar

I stared wide-eyed at the exchange. Hannah clearly had no regard for her personal safety, as she had intentionally provoked the second largest man in the room—the only one larger being the one she currently hid behind.

Natalie leaned over the back of the couch where Braxton and I sat, a smile in her voice when her head came between us. “Welcome to the family, Dakota. I can’t wait til you find your voice and start sparring with the rest of us.”

Chapter 14

Braxton

Jeez, Natalie, chill out.

As if the display Hannah had put on wasn’t enough, Natalie was going to scare Dakota off with talk of becoming a member of the family—found or not. She had no idea how hard I’d worked to get Dakota through the door today, and she was seconds away from ruining all the progress I’d made.

Thankfully, a yell of “Uncle Basston!” had every head turning toward the ball of energy barreling right toward us, the earlier scuffle quickly forgotten.

Knowing what was coming, I held my arms out wide, bracing for impact as Charlie didn’t slow down on approach, launching herself at my chest. She might only be three, but that girl was strong, and the air was knocked from my lungs at the collision.

Crawling onto my lap, she circled her arms around my neck, and I hugged her tightly. My youngest niece was fierce. She worked hard at keeping up with the boys—Beau and Knox especially, as they were onlya few years older than her. She didn’t take shit from anyone, and I knew she would be responsible for Jaxon’s first gray hairs.

“Charlie girl!” I pulled back, bopping her on the nose, and she giggled. It was easily my favorite sound in the world. Turning to Dakota, I explained, “This is my niece, Charlie.”

A brilliant smile lit up Dakota’s face, and she waved at Charlie. “Well, hi there, Charlie. My name is Dakota.”

Charlie’s tiny brow wrinkled, and her lips pursed in thought. Slowly, she said, “Hi, Da-pota.”

It took everything in me not to chuckle and embarrass my niece, but damn if it wasn’t the cutest thing that she couldn’t yet say certain names right. Mine also was a casualty with the X-sound in the middle.

Grabbing my face with two hands, Charlie demanded my attention, declaring, “I wanna play hockey!”

Smiling at the determined expression on her face, I asked, “Are the boys being mean and not letting you in on their game of mini sticks?”

She frowned, shaking her head. “No. I wanna go on the ice!”

Surprised, I glanced around the room. Well, at least what I could view around the toddler front and center in my field of vision. “I’m sorry. I think I’m in the wrong house. This desperate plea for help is not something I would expect to hear from one of Jaxon Slate’s kids.”

Natalie sighed. “She’s not handling the transition to big sister very well.”

Hannah chuckled. “Can’t say I blame her. Stars that shine as bright as us don’t like to share the spotlight.”

“Anyway,” Natalie continued. “She’s got it in her head that we will pay her more attention if she plays hockey, like Beau, since we’re always at the practice rink for him. That, and she’s always been a daddy’s girl and has grown up watching Jaxon play.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, there aren’t enough hours in the day with the team’s travel schedule andfivekids.” Sheshot a glare at my brother. It was no secret that Max hadn’t been exactly planned.

“Don’t you worry,” Hannah cooed. “Auntie Hannah and Uncle Cal will teach that poor girl how to play.”

Hugging Charlie to my chest, I protested, “No way. That right falls to her blood uncle.”

Benji piped up. “I think I’ve proven most recently that I am the master at youth hockey training. Knox is lighting it up this season—hisfirstseason, I might add.”

Jaxon groaned. “I’m so glad no one thinks I’m capable of teaching my daughter how to skate or play.”

Seizing a rare opportunity to tease my older brother, I threw a jab. “Maybe she’s too intimidated to have you as her instructor. She requested me, and I don’t think I can say no to this sweet little face.”

Dakota jumped right in, offering, “She can join us during my lessons any time.”

Stunned, my head snapped to her, and a shy smile graced her perfect rosebud lips. Fuck, if we were alone, I wouldn’t have been able to resist kissing them.

Bouncing Charlie, I declared, “That settles it. Charlie, you get to come on our next rink date.” I winked at Dakota, and she blushed. The color creeping onto her cheeks only made her look more beautiful.

I knew if she could survive the day with this group, I would be that much closer to sealing the deal. I wanted her for my own, and I would stop at nothing until I made that happen.

Dakota was the missing piece from my life.

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