Page 22 of The Dragon's Surprise
Daniel turned, followed his gaze, and then faced him again with a laugh. “What did you do?”
He grunted, and Daniel rolled his eyes. “You can be a grumpy bastard, but despite it all, you keep your huge heart well hidden, and I know you always want the best for people. Judging by your look, she’s the reason you’re here. So apologize to her, grovel, and then try to win her over. Is she your true mate?”
For a second, he thought about changing the topic. But after so many years of being alone, of keeping people at a distance, he didn’t want to do that any longer. Even though his job meant being around others all the time, he had never really been a part of the clan. And he wanted that again, even just a little.
So he leaned close and whispered, “My dragon thinks so. But I fucked up, Daniel.”
He squeezed Kyle’s shoulder. “We all do sometimes. So apologize and sweep her off her feet.”
“I want to, but then there’s…my son.”
Daniel’s face softened. “I know it’ll be a little more difficult than if it was just winning your true mate. However, if you want Ethan and Lexi, it’s definitely possible. You’ll just have to work harder. Are they worth it?”
“Of course,” he blurted.
“Then you can start winning them overafterthe horseshoe tournament. It’s males versus females, and we need you. Despitehow uncoordinated Jenny can be at times, she’s a natural at this game, and I don’t want to lose.”
At Daniel’s sulky tone, Kyle smiled. “If a female who’s seven months pregnant can beat you, I don’t think there’s any hope.”
“Some friend you are.”
“You wanted the truth.”
Daniel snorted, and Kyle realized how much he’d missed his best friend.
His dragon said softly,You have a second chance. Use it.
Kyle put an arm around Daniel’s shoulder and whispered, “Okay, maybe if we do this…”
And as they planned their strategy, Kyle’s gaze kept drifting to Lexi, but she never noticed him. He only hoped she was a little less mad at him. But even if she was, he would start winning her over, no matter what it took.
Ethan spotted him, his eyes widened, and the boy ran over. When he stopped in front of him and Daniel, he said, “Kyle, you’re here!”
He ruffled the boy’s hair. “Sorry, Ethan. I’ve been busy helping people at the clinic. But I’m here now, and Daniel tells me we’re on the same team. Have you ever played horseshoes before?”
Ethan shook his head. “No. I listened to the rules, but I still don’t know if I can throw it right.”
“Well, then let me give you some pointers. I used to be really good at this game when I was a kid, and I need some practice myself. Would you like to toss a few together, and I can help you?”
“Yes! I don’t want to make our team lose.”
Kyle took Ethan’s hand and tugged the boy off to where all the males were together, and Daniel followed them.
For the next few minutes, he taught Ethan how to toss the metal horseshoe better. With each cheer and smile from theboy, Kyle’s earlier troubles faded a little. While he still needed to work for Lexi’s forgiveness, the stress from his two days of surgeries melted away as he enjoyed being outside with his son.
As Lexi listened to Jenny and her sister-in-law argue about ways to distract the males to help their chances—there really were more of them—her gaze drifted, looking for Ethan.
She finally found him with the group of guys, which included Kyle. She nearly frowned. When had he shown up?
Kyle stood next to Ethan, gesturing with the horseshoe in his hand, no doubt teaching him how to throw it. When he grinned at his son, some of Lexi’s anger evaporated. Oh, she was still mad at him for being so rude. But to see the dragon doctor outside, smiling and laughing with the other males, made her wonder if her words had made a difference.
Then Kyle’s eyes met hers, and she could just make out his flashing pupils. Even though they were at least twenty feet apart, his intense gaze made her shiver. She wouldn’t deny he was handsome.
And yet, attraction wasn’t enough, not by a long shot. If he couldn’t talk with her instead of shouting when he got uncomfortable, they had no future. Especially since being with him meant Lexi would have to uproot her life and maybe give up her career.
Eventually, she looked away and the game began, distracting her. Words of encouragement, cheers, and trash-talking made the time fly, and somehow, with Jenny’s skill, they managed to take the game.
Jenny beamed as her mate rushed up to her. “I told you we’d win, even with fewer players on our team.”
