Page 67 of When Alec Met Evie
“A hockey player,” I tell her. “He plays for the Appies.”
“Oh. Oh! I’ve heard hockey players areverygood with their hands.”
“Victoria!” I say, laughing at her suggestive tone.
“What? They would have to be, wouldn’t they? With all the…stick handling and…puck moving?”
“Why do I think you don’t know anything about hockey?”
She huffs out a sigh. “Because I don’t. But I have read a hockey romance or two, and let me tell you, that man could star in one of them.”
I laugh. “I’ll let him know you think so.” I wipe down the table and throw away our trash from lunch, but after my conversation with Alec, a thought keeps niggling at the back of my brain.
I didn’t lie to Alec when I said I wasn’t talking to Devon. Not really. I have no desire to get back together with my ex-husband, no matter why he’s calling.
But if somethingisgoing to happen with Alec, I need to figure out what’s going on so Devon doesn’t blindside me with a surprise visit or suddenly wanting to be involved in Juno’s life. Unlikely, but it could be awkward with Alec. I need to knowwhy Devon is calling. Why it’s so important to him that we have a conversation when, as far as I’m concerned, everything we needed to say to each other has already been said.
“Hey, Victoria, do you mind if I make a quick phone call before we jump back into work? It should only take a few minutes.”
“Of course, dear. Take your time.”
I take my phone onto the porch and drop onto the top step next to an assortment of bright orange pumpkins. Apparently, Victoria’s husband is an avid gardener and has an enormous pumpkin patch every year. She already sent me home with a few to put on Alec’s porch, one she said would be perfect for carving a jack-o-lantern.
I took them to humor her, knowing Juno is much too young for me to go through the effort, but Theo and Carter were excited enough for all of us when I showed up with pumpkins, and now Alec’s front porch is adorned with two surprisingly well-carved jack-o-lanterns.
I pull up my text thread with Devon and read through the messages one more time.
Devon
Can we talk?
Evie
Texting is fine.
Devon
Evie, please.
I really need you to call me.
I sigh and close my eyes, digging deep to find my courage—and my backbone. Then I open my eyes and make the call.
CHAPTER 17
ALEC
The twins arein the kitchen eating cereal when I show up searching for coffee on Friday morning. Theo is staring at his spoon with bloodshot eyes, like even the idea of lifting it and dipping it into his cereal bowl is exhausting, so they must have been out late. We played and lost a messy game last night, so we were all in a low mood when we came home. When I got home and realized Evie had already gone to bed, I went straight to my room and crashed and assumed the twins did the same, but I was zoned out enough they could have gone back out without me realizing.
I swallow my judgments as I fill a travel mug with coffee. It’s not like I never partied when I was their age, but partying was never more important than hockey, and that meant taking care of my body.
I shoot Carter a concerned look, and he shrugs as if to say there’s nothinghecan do about it. The trouble is, there’s a lot Carter is already doing that he doesn’t realize. I’d put money on him being the older twin because he looks out for his brother in ways that Theo never reciprocates. Carter is the one who makessure they get to practices and games on time. Carter is the one who takes care of their meals, who does their laundry. He shouldn’t have to do any of that, and I’m not sure why he does.
Except, Theo probably has the edge on the ice, and they’re both better together than they are on their own. That might be enough motivation for Carter to cave and keep acting the adult. He knows he has a better shot of a big career with Theo beside him.
That will all go away if Theo doesn’t stop messing around. He needs a lot more than raw talent to make it in this sport. He needs focus. Discipline. Work ethic. And leaning on his brother will only get him so far.
I lean against the counter to face them. “So about the dinner tonight,” I say to Carter, hoping Felix will forgive me. “The dream team dinner. Why don’t the two of you come?”
