Page 49 of The Keeper

Sources close to the Kingston family tell this reporter there’s trouble within the royals. The Kingstons aren’t happy their baby has married the hockey hottie and staged an intervention at everyone’s favorite sweet shop earlier today. Will this be the last straw for our lovebirds or will America’s sweetheart stand by her man? Only time will tell.

#KroydonKronicles

EASTON

“Wanna grab dinner?”

I look over at Boone, who hasn’t stopped staring at his phone. Over the past twenty-four hours, I’ve learned he’s not just our co-captain. As far as I can tell, he’s also our social director. He may have actually missed his calling. “Is Kingston gonna be there?”

“Come on, cradle robber, you know he is,” he taunts with a goofy-ass grin.

He also never seems to take anything but his game seriously.

On the ice, he’s a killer. Off the ice, he’s the joker.

“Fucker. She’s barely five years younger than me.”

“Yeah, I know. But it’s so much fun to piss you off. Kingston’s sister is like this on-off switch for you. Him too, now that I think about it.”

“Yeah. I’m gonna pass on dinner.” I’m not willingly forcing myself to deal with Jace any more than I have to.

“You’re never gonna mesh with the team if you keep hiding in here, Hayes.” He’s not wrong, but there’s not a chance in hell I’m telling him that or that I’m having dinner with Jace.

“Listen, I’m trying to respect Kingston and steer clear. At least for now.”

“We got three more days, Hayes. You gonna hide the whole time?”

There’s a knock on the door, and Boone waits to see if I’m gonna change my mind.

I’m not.

“All right. But I’m gonna get you to come out with us at some point,” he tells me before he grabs his coat and leaves.

Fuck.

Not two minutes later, there’s another fucking knock.

“Dude. What? Did you forget your key card?” I yank the door open and stop, frozen in place. “You’re not Boone.”

“No,” Lindy’s eyes light up. “I’m not.”

“Princess... how are you here?”

She lifts up on her toes and kisses my cheek, and I swear I feel that one fucking touch everywhere. “Wanna run away with me?”

“What?” I laugh. “I kinda signed a contract that says I need to be here tomorrow.”

“That’s okay. It’s just one date. I’ll have you back tonight. You game?”

“To run away with my wife? Fuck yeah, I’m game.” I grab my hoodie and take her hand in mine. “Where to, Mrs. Hayes?”

She stops and looks at me, her eyes fucking shimmering like I haven’t seen in a long damn time. “I might not hate the sound of that as much as I used to.”

“I guess that’s a start.” I squeeze her hand. “Want to grab something to eat?”

“Uh, uh, uhh. I decided it was my turn to do the wooing. I’ve got plans for us.” She pulls a box from behind her back and hands it to me.

“What’s this?” I pull on the black-velvet bow as Lindy smiles at me.

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