Page 77 of Breakaway

“Right.” I nodded, hoping to memorize them this time. I peered around the room, spotting a few others I didn’t know.

“And them?” I asked, nodding in the direction of the other couch.

A guy with similar hair to Dax’s sat in the middle of a guy with dark hair and earrings along one ear, and one with glasses and curly dark hair. He looked to be the youngest of everyone, maybe around twenty-two.

“Ah, that’s Soren in the middle, Henry, or Rey, as most everyone calls him, on the left, and Mateo on the right. Soren and Henry are together, as well as with Sawyer.”

“Oh, he’s the skater! Is Sawyer here?”

“Yeah. She’s around somewhere.” He looked over his shoulder like she might be hiding there. Just how short was she if he thought that was possible?

Just then, Rhett walked in with a guy in a button-down shirt and tie and a girl with blonde hair that could only be Sawyer. Okay, so maybe she was short.

“Ah, there they are,” Milo said, clearing his throat. I wondered briefly if he regretted inviting me to sit beside him with all of my questions.

“Henley Henshaw!” Sawyer bellowed, shocking me at the volume. A wide grin spread across her face as she practically bounced over to me. Damn. And I thought Scar was hyper. This girl radiated sunshine and rainbows, making me want to put her in my pocket and carry her around with me.

I stood just in time as her tiny arms wrapped around me and her petite body slammed into mine. I felt like a giant at my 5’9” height.

“Um, hi,” I said, patting her back.

“Oh, em gee! I’ve heard so much about you. Everyone is always like, Henley this, and Henley that. I swear, they did it to make me envious, and it worked! I’ve been dying to meet you. Like dying! Even my adopted father got to meet you before I did. Man, I wish I could’ve been there for him to meet you and your guys. I heard about the giggle, and I’ve been teasing him every day. Speaking of…” She turned to look up. “Eek! Reed Cole! BIGGEST FAN!”

Her eyes turned big as she fanned herself, and I worried they’d fall out. I glanced around, hoping her men wouldn’t get jealous of her gushing, and checking I wouldn’t need to stage an intervention or something. Reed stood next to me, his arm wrapped around my shoulders. He peered down at her like she was an exhibit at the zoo—curious and unsure if she might bite.

“Baby, I think you’re scaring them. You gotta dial it down when you meet someone for the first time,” Rhett said, shocking me further. I’d never heard him say so many words strung together before. It was usually grunts and commands to stretch more.

“Holy shit,” I whispered to Reed, who nodded. Sawyer stepped closer to us and faced Rhett, nodding her head so fast I worried she was part bobblehead.

“Right? It’s shocking when he speaks. The first time I met him, I thought he was mute. The fucker let me go on and on, talking with my hands and gesturing forever before he graced me with his words.”

Rhett smirked, raising one eyebrow in a move that was so baller I momentarily got stuck staring at it. Sawyer leaned closer and whispered.

“Don’t let the eyebrows fool you. He practices in the mirror. I caught him once.”

Snorting, I decided I liked her. She said what she thought and didn’t make apologies for herself. She was a tiny tornado of sunshine.

“Oy! Has Sawyer code oranged all over Henley yet?” Finley shouted, sticking her head into the room.

“It’s happening right now,” Ty answered.

“Ah, man. I missed it.”

“Just wait another five minutes, Sis. She’s about to drool over her hockey crush,” another guy on the couch said, chuckling. Based on his complexion, I assumed he was Finley’s brother. Sawyer stuck her tongue out at Finley, only shrugging at her boyfriend on the couch.

“Code orange?” I asked, curious. I kinda loved that she didn’t get bent out of shape with their teasing. It spoke of a deep connection built on trust and time together.

“Yeah, it’s what my adopted father called my word vomit moments. I tend to do it a lot. The filter part of my brain is not attached to my mouth.” She giggled, the sound light and airy. “I met Charlie when I was in foster care, and he owned a hockey rink. So, code orange became our phrase. You know, when you fall in skating, and it’s a big ouchie, and you’ll need some meds to feel better.”

Grinning, I nodded. “Got it. Did I hear it right? You’re a hockey fan?”

“Oh, yeah.” Her eyes became more owlish as she nodded. “If I hadn’t been so short, I would’ve played. Alas, I fell in love with ice skating. But I still show these goofs up on the ice.” She placed her hands on her hips with pride.

“Not true, babe. I just think it’s cute when you score,” Oliver said, walking into the room with a dish towel.

“Yeah, sure.” Sawyer smirked, rolling her eyes. Ollie dropped a kiss on her forehead before glancing at everyone.

“Food’s ready. Grab a plate and then a seat; the show starts soon!”

---