Page 1 of Sleighproof

Chapter 1

Slater

I absolutely believe in Christmas miracles.

For instance.

Take the fact that I haven’t roasted my little brother’s nuts over an open fire for not only dragging me to do his last-minute Christmas shopping with him but ditching me in the middle of said shopping to do something even more moronic than running out the holiday clock.

And what could possibly be dumber, you ask?

Hitting on the ex-wife of one of his fellow teammates.

Not only is that a suicide mission – there’s a very strict, even if unspoken, rule about going after exes, sisters, and mothers as well as daughters to those in charge in his sport – it’s derailing ourmainassignment, which is to buy my little girls – Allaira and Alura aka Lair Bear and Lu – the best presents possible to keep him in their good uncle graces.

Truthfully?

They’re really not that picky.

You just have to know them a bit better than Kolby does.

Hockey comes first for him, and everything else in the world second.

And I get it.

I’ve always gotten it.

Hell, if you replace hockey with R&R, I’velivedit.

Unfortunately…kidsdon’treally get the whole career first mindset.

Especially mine.

I feel like it’s their grandparents’ fault – all sets – but can’t actually prove it.

I know it’s not Angel Cake’s.

She’s guilty of working too much herself.

Plus, she’s always had my six when it comes to explaining why I’m not around when they’d like me to be.

“Here,” Kolby states at the same time he shoves his credit card in my direction, “just tap it for me.”

I don’t bother looking down at the offered object.

“I just…” He glances off in the distance and anxiously bounces, his slightly smaller build practically fucking vibrating in place. “I just wanna go over and say hi.”

There’s no change in my expression.

“Or…hey.”

This time he’s offered an unconvinced slow blink.

“Or…Merry Christmas you fuckin’ snipe.”

“Not that one.”

My little brother airily laughs and lets his shoulders bounce. “Alright…Iprobablywon’t go with that one.”

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