Worth the Risk (Carolina Rebels 5)

“Like what?”

“Like not intruding on his space. We live there. Before I was just someone who worked for him and helped take care of Bree. I tried to find and respect the boundaries and make sure he had time alone with Bree. Now, we’re doing this.”

“Have you talked to EJ about this?”

“No, but I think he wants the boundaries too. He’s asked for time alone with Bree before.” I have a sudden need to get my secret off my chest about Christmas, but for this, I don’t quite trust her not to tell Brayden and for him to keep this from Elias. We haven’t reached that level of trust yet.

“Has EJ complained about anything? Is he pretty vocal with you?” When I nod, she says, “Maybe you can try relaxing and let him sort of lead. Let him tell you if you’re doing something wrong.” She winces. “I don’t like the way that sounds, but you know what I mean.”

I nod.

“Ja-Ja!” Bree shouts, rattling her toy.

“He’s at scho

ol, Bree. We’ll see him and DaDa later.” Her eyes light up as if she knows exactly what I’m saying. She talks some more and soon, Deanna ushers us to the dressing room with an armful of dresses. I hope we find one that makes me feel confident and beautiful and tempting to Elias Bertuzzi.

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t be able to resist,” Derek says with a grin. I stupidly decided to meet up with him since he’s in town for the game tonight and I just told him I’m now officially dating Raelynn. “Why can’t we eat at your house?”

I shake my head. “You can meet her another time. It’s too soon and you’re too annoying.”

“Have you told your ma yet?”

“No. I’m going to wait until Christmas for that.”

He nods. “Is Nicole coming too?” he asks, referring to my sister.

“She finally said she would. She wanted to stay behind and with a friend, but she changed her mind.” I’m glad she’s coming. Out of everyone in my family, I talk to my sister the least, so it’ll be good to see her.

“Good. So, you ready to lose tonight?” He grins and I flip him off.

It isn’t us who lose tonight either. Derek manages to score a goal in the middle of the first period and it pisses me off when he makes sure to grin at me as he skates past me after his celebration. What an asshole. But it fuels me as much as it does whenever Jackson tells me I’ll score a goal because of his good luck.

Every time my line is on the ice, we swipe the puck if we don’t have it and charge toward their net. Shot after shot after shot, the puck flies toward the goalie. He makes a glove save and then one with the tip of his toe, but I do manage to send a puck soaring high. It clangs against the bar.

But it goes in!

“Fuck yeah!” Scotty rubs my helmet.

Tommy shouts something and hugs me like I just gifted him a brand new car on Christmas morning.

Hockey hugs are the best as the defensemen on our line crash into us as well. I don’t bother grinning at Derek. Not just yet. I save that for right before the end of the first period. We’re on the ice with four seconds left. I shoot a one-timer.

The goalie doesn’t stand a chance.

Then I skate by Derek with a big fat grin on my face.

We end up winning the game two to one.

Henry looks uncomfortable as fuck as he sticks one foot onto the ice. For one blissful second, I relish in his unease. Then, I banish that because I don’t need to have those kinds of feelings toward Jackson’s father. I’m almost surprised he’s here. He even got off work early, so we wouldn’t have to come later than we originally planned.

“Do you want Mr. EJ to hold your hand and help you?” Jackson asks him.

Holding back my grin is nearly impossible.

“I’m okay, kiddo.”

Jackson frowns, and he surprises me when he says, “I don’t like that.”