Page 55 of Face Off
“Friend?”
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry I ruined tonight for you and Camden. I know this is your first Christmas without your parents.”
Yeah, because I couldn’t tell Brooks that I’m the owner’s daughter when I spilled my guts. I choked like Toronto in the playoffs last year.
“Honestly… this is probably the first holiday that felt like a real family Christmas,” I say, pulling her in for a hug. “My parents always made Christmas a huge spectacle or a boring dinner.”
“Gotta admit… Drilling Channing with all those questions about that puck bunny was entertaining,” she says, walking back toward the door with me.
“Yeah, but let’s not make a habit of this when I have parties, okay?”
“Deal.”
???
Brooks loads the dishwasher, while I get Camden settled for bed. It’s nice having him here to help me out with all of this. This is how it should have been all along. The family dynamic that Camden has deserved all those years. Yeah, my parents do a great job trying to make his life seem as normal as possible, but nothing about it is normal. He has an over-worked mom, an absent father, and grandparents who spoil him way too much.
Watching Brooks with Camden as he opens gifts makes my chest fill with warmth. He’s wonderful with Cam, so good that I can’t help but imagine him with a child of his own. One that looks just like him with dark-brown locks and blue eyes that sparkle every time they see him. Kind of how Cam lights up every time Brooks is around.
Deep down, I know Brooks could be my forever. The more I spend time with him and see Camden with him, I can’t help butenvision a future together. But would Brooks be willing to have all that with me? Start a family with Camden and me. Build a life together with room to grow.
“Thank you for doing that,” I say, staring at him as he loads the last dish.
He waltzes up to me, his hand wrapping around my waist, pulling me close to him before brushing his lips against mine. “You’re welcome.” He kisses me a few more times before pulling away. Worried lines marring him forehead.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just a little tired. Come, let’s sit. I want to talk to you about something.”
I follow him to the sofa, a warm fire roaring in the fireplace as soft music filters in the background. The light from the Christmas tree illuminates the barely lit room. He hands me a glass of red wine, before sitting down with his own glass of whiskey.
“Are you all right?” I say, taking a sip of my wine and snuggling into his side.
His stare bores into the flames of the fire as he swirls his glass of whiskey gently. His finger runs up and down my arm as tension builds in the room. “Did Vince say something to you at dinner? You’re acting strange.”
“No.” His response is clipped and quick. “No, I just… you told me everything. Everything about Boyce and whatnot, right?”
I knew Vince said something to him. Boyce probably sent him here to plant seeds of doubt in my relationship with Brooks. But for what purpose.
“Yes,” I say, reassuring him.
He nods before pulling me back into his side, a warm kiss pressing to the top of my head. “Hey,” I mumble into his chest. “I was thinking… maybe we should talk about you staying over here on like a more permanent basis.”
“Are you asking me to move in with you, Red?”
“Only if you want to,” I say with a small smile. “I know you have your place, but it’s nice having you here. And I know Cam loves you being around.” I like you being around. “You don’t need to give me an answer tonight, but I just love having you here. I love you.”
The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them. I know he mouthed them to me before the game in Arizona, but I thought he wasn’t being serious. That it was a ruse. Yet the way his lips fuse to mine after I’ve said them now, solidifies any shred of doubt I have.
“I love you too,” he says back before his mouth meets mine again. Claiming me.
He is mine.
Brooks
Ihadn’t wanted to bring up the stuff Vince had brought up to me last night at Christmas dinner. He’s her ex’s best friend. And if there’s one thing I know about bro code, it’s always to have your boy’s back. Whether it’s the truth or not. Boyce knew exactly what he was doing, trying to put another wedge between Hayley and me so he can swoop in and do whatever it is he’s planning to do.
I love her.
