Line Mates & Study Dates (CU Hockey 4)

All of us got an insurance payout when our parents died, but the kids’ shares are in trusts for when they’re eighteen, and it’s nowhere near enough for everything. I’ve worked out mine will support me during college, but after that, it will nearly be all gone.

Kole’s family stares at us expectantly, and I squeeze West’s shoulder. “I’m going to go check on the kids.”

Quick! Escape!

I find them all in Kole’s living room. Rhys and Hazel are tapping away on their new phones, and Zoe and the twins are on the floor playing with the ugly-ass dog, who’s so ugly he’s cute to me now.

Kole’s watching them from the entryway, and I join him. I want to reach for him and wrap him in my arms or kiss his cheek in greeting, but I hold back. Christmas is not a day for dying.

I open my mouth to say hi, but then Hades sees me, and my siblings are no longer entertaining. I open my arms. “Hey, Hellhound.”

He runs into my arms and tries to lick my face, but I hold him back a bit.

“No peeing on me, please. Not in the house.”

Kole laughs. “Anyone would think you’re the only one who gives him attention.”

A throat clears behind us, deep and husky. Coach is there watching me. I stand again and pat the dog’s head.

“Uh, good boy.”

Hades won’t leave my side.

“Go play,” I encourage.

He still doesn’t leave.

I turn to Kole. “Your dog is clingy.”

“He has horrible taste in people,” Kole deadpans.

Coach’s footsteps disappear down the hall, and I let out a breath.

“Does he know?” I whisper.

“I haven’t told him.”

That doesn’t answer my question. I’m going to try to avoid him for this whole dinner.

“But … I was thinking about it,” Kole says. “That maybe today …” He reaches for my hand, but I reflexively look around and flinch away. “Or not.”

I slump. “Shit. Sorry. No, we should. Maybe. How about at the very end. Like, after I leave, you can tell him. Give me a head start. I don’t really want my younger siblings to witness my murder. They’ve already been through enough. Think of the kids!”

Rhys, who’s clearly eavesdropping, pipes up. “Please. It’s obvious you two are doing it.”

I frantically slash at my throat. “Zip it.”

Rhys rolls his eyes. “I’m just saying, Kole comes over and helps clean up the house. His dog knows you. I know hockey players are dumb, but are hockey coaches too? I’m guessing Kole had something to do with you showing up home half-naked that day.”

“What day?” Kole asks.

“The day he was fleeing a hookup.”

“Rhys,” I groan. “Please for the love of everything, shus—”

“So you’re the one who broke the porch gutters.” The deep, authoritative voice almost makes me shit myself.

Coach Hogan is back.

Oh goodie.

28

Kole

Something in Dad’s jaw twitches, and I hear Rhys snicker from behind us. Hades is still panting at Asher’s feet, and I swear even the twins have gone quiet.

Tension stretches between us all.

Even though I’d been planning to tell Dad pretty soon, this probably isn’t ideal. Merry Christmas, Dad, I’m dating the team brat.

I’d wanted him to see how Asher is with his siblings first. To get to know him properly.

Maybe I can still salvage this. Maybe I can—

Emmett’s little voice comes from behind us. “Rhys, we’re supposed to be on best behavior for Asher’s boyfriend.”

My stare immediately darts to Asher, who goes so pale he looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.

Hades growls at the lack of attention, and Zoe squeaks and slaps her hand over Emmett’s mouth.

I swear Dad’s head is about to shoot off.

Everyone in the room is so. Damn. Tense.

I can’t help it.

I burst out laughing.

Asher’s looking at me like he’s asking what the fuck I’m doing, and Dad seems concerned for my sanity. But honestly, screw this. Me having a boyfriend shouldn’t stop time.

I loop my arm around Asher’s waist and tug him to me before smacking a kiss against his cheek. “Dad, you’ve met my boyfriend, right?”

“This is how my life ends,” Asher mutters, which only makes me laugh more.

“Kole, a word?” Dad turns and heads back down the hall for his study.

Well, shit.

Normally I’d grab Asher’s hand and drag him in there to face my dad with me, but I’m low-key worried about exactly what Dad will say. The last thing Asher needs to hear is the same negative shit repeated back at him that he’s constantly telling himself.

If they’re all going to be dramatic idiots about it, I’m going to act like this is all no big deal.

Let’s not focus on Asher being the only boyfriend I’ve ever brought home and skip right to the part where it’s Christmas and we’re all celebrating.

“Sup, Dad?”

“Cut the shit, Kole. You’re dating Asher Dalton?”

“That is usually what the word ‘boyfriend’ means.”

“What part of ‘leave the kid alone’ didn’t you get?”