Page 53 of Vital Blindside

“Red is overrated,” I reply.

“It’s so beautiful, though. Unique too,” Ava adds.

There’s a vibrance to her green eyes that is either from the number of fruity, alcoholic drinks she’s had today or just from pure enjoyment of our conversation. It’s probably the first option.

“Sure. It’s great until you spend most of your school years being asked if every freckle on your face represents a soul you’ve taken. It didn’t help being named after a shade of red either.” The two girls stare at me, looking equal parts surprised and intrigued. I suck air through my teeth. “Sorry. A bit bitter, I guess.”

“Don’t apologize. You know, I actually remember that stereotype from when I was in school,” Ava says.

Gracie frowns. “If I hear Oliver saying anything like that to one of his classmates, I’m going to kick his ass.”

Ava makes a noise of agreement. “Same with my kids. Maddox’s best friend’s sister has red hair a bit darker than yours, Scarlett, so I hope he knows better. I’m sure if Braxton heard him making fun of her sister, she would kick his ass for me, though.”

“Doxxy and Braxy sitting in a tree!” Tinsley starts to sing before Maddox shouts over at us.

“Don’t, Tiny!”

Gracie giggles. “His cheeks are so red.”

“Young love,” Ava says on an exhale.

“Just wait until it’s your Adalyn blushing over the thought of a boy,” Sierra teases, running her fingers through her daughter’s hair.

Oakley’s scoff is loud and comes from the direction of the inside of the yacht. He’s making quick work of the distance between himself and Ava, a bottle of beer in his hand and a scowl spread wide on his face.

“Not happening until long after I’m dead,” he says.

Tyler and Braden follow after him, but I don’t see Adam.

Instead, I feel his presence slide up behind me seconds before two large hands cover my shoulders and squeeze. I lean back into his touch.

His lips brush my ear when he bends over and presses his jaw to the side of my head. “Give me your hand.”

Confused, I reach behind me and give him my hand. I gasp when something cold meets my palm. Pulling back my hand, I stare at the dewy water bottle.

“Figured you might be thirsty,” he whispers before leaning back, his lips grazing my hair along the way.

My stomach is a mess of flapping wings. “Thank you.”

Another shoulder squeeze, and then he’s no longer hovering over me. A frown threatens to form.

“What are we talking about?” Braden asks a beat later, distracting me.

I focus my stare across the deck and see him bypassing Noah and scooping both his wife and daughter up in his arms before sitting in Sierra’s chair and putting them both on his lap. Sierra leans her head on his chest and smiles.

Oakley flops down on the lounge chair on Ava’s other side. “The unspeakable,” he grumbles.

“You know, big bro, I think your son gets his grumpy attitude from his old man of a father,” Gracie pokes.

“And where do you think I got my grumpy attitude from? Oh, that’s right, I spent too much time with your husband,” he replies coolly.

Tyler chuckles, and I watch the interaction with a weird appreciation. This group has an interesting dynamic, but it’s almost comforting in a way. I didn’t expect this casual, playful attitude from either Tyler or Oakley. Not after watching them on the ice for so many years being the exact opposite.

It almost makes sense, though. Adam could never be around people who didn’t at least shine half as bright as he does.

It makes me wonder why he’s so adamant about spending time with me.

My muscles grow taut when Adam sits down on the end of my lounge chair, between my feet. He keeps his attention on the conversation happening around us but slowly places one hand flat on the cloth material of the chair and the other on my shin. His fingers splay across my skin before slipping to the underside of my leg and cupping my calf.

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