Page 75 of Tempting the Goalie
“Hello,” he answers after one ring.
“Hi,” I say. “How is little Braden doing?”
“We’re walking around the maze,” Luc says, and my heart grows even fonder.
“Give him kisses for me,” I say to him.
“Will do,” he answers and falls silent. “Where are you?”
“I’m going fishing with my brothers,” I say to him.
“Nice. Enjoy.” I hear Braden whining in the background. “I think the little man is hungry. I’m going to stop at one of the picnic benches and make him a bottle.”
“Okay, sounds good,” I reply. I want to compliment him on being so good with Braden, but I don’t want him to take it the wrong way and think I’m trying to push the wanting kids issue.
“Bean, get off the phone with Loverboy. We’re heading out,” Asher shouts from the shore.
“My brother is being annoying,” I say to Luc.
He chuckles. “Your brothers are so closed off to relationships that they don’t know what they’re missing,” he says.
“You aren’t wrong. Love you. Got to go.”
“Love you too.”
We end the call, and I head out to the boat.
“I can’t believe how mushy you and Chabot are being,” Becket says.
“I have no words. You should be finding someone to settle down with,” I retort.
“Not a chance in hell,” he replies.
“Right, you’re married to your job, just like Daddy,” I say to him.
“Damn straight,” he agrees.
We get to the boat and settle in. Phoenix drives us out onto the water. It’s a calm day and the sun shines. I inhale the fresh scent of the lake.
Eric hands me a sandwich wrapped in paper. “Eat. You’re probably living on love and air.” He chuckles.
I take it. “Thanks, Dad.”
Becket cracks a beer open with the edge of the cooler. “So, senior year. You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I say, taking a bite of the sandwich.
Asher flops back, letting his legs dangle over the edge. “You’re not nervous?”
“Nope.”
Phoenix throws me a look. “About Luc?”
I knew that was coming. “No.”
Eric raises an eyebrow. “C’mon, Bean. The guy’s headed to the NHL. That’s not a regular college boyfriend.”
“He’s still Luc,” I remind. “Same guy who used to climb through my window when he couldn’t sleep.”
