“I think so,” I say. Yes, okay we agreed not to sleep together again. We don’t want to ruin our friendship and he is my brother-in-law, but maybe while we’re on vacation for this next week, we can take a vacation from real life too. Things can go back to normal when we get home and as soon as hockey season starts again, I’m sure he’ll be back in bed with all his bunnies. Until then, however…
“I don’t like that grin, Fallon. You’re up to something,” he says, and I reach for my latte and take a sip.
“When did you get so paranoid?” I ask as I lick the foam from my lips and note the way Jamie is watching.
“When did you get so secretive?”
“When did you start answering questions with questions?” I laugh and whack him. He captures my hand, and feigns hurt as he holds it against his hard stomach.
He gestures with his chin, and I glance out the window. “We’re here.”
As I sit up a little straighter, Chase screams, “We’re here, we’re here. Mommy, we’re here.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I think someone is happy to be here.”
“Are you?” he asks, his voice holding a measure of seriousness.
“I am,” I say. “Thanks Jamie.” I bit my lip to stop myself from grinning when he clenches his jaw, the muscles rippling as he growls.
Hmm, maybe I won’t have a talk with him. Maybe I’ll have a little fun with him, tease him until he’s ready to break from frustration. With that delicious thought in mind, I glance around, taking in the rows of amazing homes, the kids, families, and dogs playing on the sand, or in the water, as the midday sun beats down on them.
“This is amazing,” I whisper, incredulous. “Wait, did you ever buy a place here, I remember…”
“No, it never happened, but Rider is in Belize with his latest. This is his place, and now ours for the week,” he says, parking in front of a beachside mansion.
“This is a cottage?”
Jamie laughs. “I know, right? Pretty nice. Come on, let’s get settled and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
I know most of the guys from watching the team, met many of them in person at Jamie’s place, but I’ve not yet met Samantha, or Quinn, or any of their children. Daisy is a little older than Chase, Brandon and Scotty a bit young, but I’m sure they’re going to get along great.
“Mommy, Mommy, let me out,” Chase says, kicking the back of my seat as I open my door and climb out. A warm briny breeze washes over me, and the last of the tension drains from my body as laughter curls around me. I help Chase from his seat, and drop to my knees to have a talk to him.
“Now remember what I said, Chase. You can’t run off alone. This is a big place, and the ocean is dangerous. You have to have an adult with you at all times, okay?”
Nodding, he shades the sun from his eyes, and glances out over the water. “Mommy, look,” he yells as a huge black dog comes running toward us. I shriek and shove Chase behind me, but Jamie comes up to us and drops to his knees to intervene.
“He’s friendly,” he says as the dog leaps into his arms, knocking him backward. Chase laughs, and Jamie rubs the dog’s ears. “Huxley, what kind of greeting is that?” he asks the excited dog, who is wiggling and wagging his tail so hard he’s practically spinning in a circle.
“I want to pet Huxley,” Chase yells. “Mommy, I want a dog.”
“Come here, bud,” Jamie says and holds the dog still so Chase can pet him. My heart stalls as I watch the two, and even though Jamie has no idea, he’s been such a positive role model for Chase. Before we even came to the beach, he purchased fishing supplies, floaty toys, and buckets and shovels. He would have been such a great dad.
My heart squeezes at that thought, and my throat tightens. There are things I know—suspect—but I could never, ever in a million years tell Jamie. He’s been hurt enough, and my suspicions would destroy him.
“About time you got here.” I glance up to see Cole Cannon—The Playmaker—and he’s grinning as he wrestles Huxley off Jamie. “Go play, boy,” he says, and the dog runs off to the sun-washed beach to play as Cole holds his hand out to me.
“Fallon, I’m so glad you decided to come.” He pulls me to my feet and I brush sand from my backside. “The girls can’t wait to say hello, and I know the kids have been waiting to play with Chase.”
“I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone,” I say.
“Barbecue and bonfire tonight, outside my place. Potluck. Hope you guys can make it,” Cole says.
“That sounds like a lot of fun,” I say. “Jamie bought a ton of food, so I’ll make some salads.”
“I want pancakes.” I glance at Chase as he crinkles his nose at my salad suggestion.
“A man after my own heart,” Cole says as he ruffles Chase’s too-long hair. “Jesus, he looks like you, Jamie,” he says.