I’m notsure what surprised my siblings and me more tonight.
Scarlet telling us that she bought a new box suite at Kings Stadium just for the family to relax and watch the game. One completely separate from the one the family owns and entertains in, or when she and Cade announced they’d gotten married quietly by themselves during Lenny’s wedding reception last week.
We’ve been watching the game as a family in the owner’s box my entire life. Dad never hesitated to have his family on display. And I never thought anything of it. But the idea of actually being able to relax and not be “on” and working the entire game is enticing. Especially as I look around and watch the next generation of the Kings at play.
Amelia’s son, Maddox, is bouncing in some baby-seat thing. Scarlet’s stepdaughter, Brynlee, and Madeline play peek-a-boo with him, pulling big belly laughs from the little man.
There are no onlookers or reporters.
No celebrities or businessmen to entertain.
Just the family.
This is what it always should have been, and I’m disappointed in myself for not thinking of it earlier.
I accept my glass of bourbon from the bartender and tap glasses with Scarlet’s new husband, Cade. “Congratulations. You’re a lucky man.”
He eyes my sister, who’s talking with Lenny. Len’s hand is rubbing Scarlet’s beach ball of a stomach. She’s due in a few weeks. And she’s radiant. “I really am. Your sister’s incredible.”
Scarlet joins us a moment later and tucks her arm through Cade’s. “So what do you think, Maximus? Pretty great idea, right?”
“It might be the best one you’ve ever had, Scar. Dad did a lot of things really well, but shielding the kids from the media was never one of them.” I look out over the field, watching the excitement below while we wait for the players to run in through the tunnel. “You’re going to do amazing things with this team.”
She tilts her head back to look up at me. “Are you still happy that you gave up the Kings for the Revolution?”
“I am.” There’s no doubt or hesitation. “It was the right move for you and turned out to be the best move for me.”
“Jesus Christ, Max.” Becks joins the three of us, clearly annoyed by my statement. “Because of your fucking assistant?”
I drop my glass down on the bar and step into Becket’s space as my temper flares. “Really? We’re fucking doing this again?”
Scarlet steps between the two of us and places a palm on my chest. “Back up, Maximus.” She turns to Becks, and Cade moves her behind him, receiving a glacial glare in return from my sister. “And Becket, you need to keep your opinions to yourself. I think the fact that we’ve all tolerated Kendall for years means we give everyone a chance.”
“At least we know she’s not after my money. Fuck this.” He turns around and storms away, and Scarlet turns around to stare at me.
“What was that?” Then she presses a finger to Cade’s chest. “And you... What the hell was that? You don’t get to just move me around like that. At least not in public.” She kisses his lips, then turns back to me. “What’s got Becks’s panties in a twist?”
“Nothing. He’s just being an ass,” I assure her. “He doesn’t think I should be dating Daphne.”
Cade kisses Scarlet’s temple. “I’m going to leave you two alone.”
She watches him walk away, then rests her hand on her stomach. “I swear, this kid is going to enter this world kicking and screaming like the Kingston she is.” She struggles to sit down on one of the bar stools and breathes a sigh of relief when she finally manages to get settled. “If you tell anyone you just saw that, I will nut-punch you when you least expect it. Got it?”
“Got it.” I tried really fucking hard not to laugh because I know she’s serious and will absolutely go through with her threat. But yeah. That shit was funny.
“Okay. Now, tell me about Daphne.” Scar’s big blue eyes stare at me expectantly, like I’m going to spill my guts here with all my siblings within earshot. “Come on, Maximus. Is it serious?”
I look around to see who’s paying attention, then lower my voice. “Yeah, Scar. It’s serious. She’s incredible. I think you’ll like her.”
“We’ll see about that. I reserve the right to hate her if she’s a shrew. But if she makes you happy, I’ll trust that she must be pretty special. Do you love her?”
I sip my bourbon, savoring the burn. “We haven’t gone there yet.”
“That doesn’t mean you don’t love her. That just means you’re a stupid man who hasn’t told her. Don’t wait, Max. Don’t hold back. If I’ve learned anything these past few months, it’s that.” She picks up a soft pretzel from a plate that was just placed in front of us and moans as she chews. “And seriously, don’t worry about Becks. He’ll come around.”
“I’m not so sure about that. We’ve never warmed up to Kendall.”
“There’s no way he’s serious about her. It’s got to be convenience and good sex. At some point, someone is going to knock Becks on his ass, and I’m going to sit back and enjoy the show.” She pops the rest of her pretzel in her mouth and closes her eyes as she savors it.