Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

“That’s cool. Ready to be a big girl off at college?”

She grins. “Yes and no,” she says shyly. “I don’t want to leave everyone. I know I’ll come back for the birth, which is good, but I still don’t want to leave. Then I remember I can’t date anyone with Nico around, wanting to kill them.”

I snort when, as if on cue, Nico comes out of the back. He gives her a look as he wraps his arms around both his girls before he beams at me. “Hey, Jay.”

“Hey, Nico,” I sing to him, and he kisses Aviva’s cheek before patting Callie on the head. He towers over both of them, and I guess it’s good he’s bigger than a tree since he’s the goalie for the IceCats. He’s a good dude; Nico is. A little weird and has absolutely no filter, but he’s a great guy for Aviva and Callie. I hear he’s going to adopt Callie once he and Aviva get married. Callie will be over eighteen, but I still think it’s sweet. He loves them both so damn much. Callie moves out of his arms, grabbing her bag from the side of the counter.

“Gotta run. I’ll see you guys later.”

With that, Callie makes her exit as I lean forward on my hands. Aviva watches as her sister leaves, crossing the parking lot to where her gymnastics gym is. I know Aviva isn’t handling her sister going away to college well. Can’t blame her. It’s always only been Aviva and Callie, with me, of course, for a long time.

“It’s going to be fine. We’ll go visit whenever you want.”

She gives me a small smile before Nico kisses her cheek and then grabs his keys. “What she said.”

I wink at him, and I know it makes me an asshole since I’m aware it makes him uncomfortable, but I do it anyway. He doesn’t like to look me, or anyone but Aviva and Callie, in the eye. It’s odd, but he could ignore me forever as long as he is good to my girls. With apprehension in her eyes, Aviva sighs heavily. She cups her growing belly and glances back at Nico. She doesn’t talk much about Callie leaving, but it’s all over her face that she doesn’t want her to go. “Where are you going?”

“I gotta run to Kirby’s.”

I choke on my spit at the sound of his name.

The one that got away. Sigh. But really, is it getting away when we never actually started anything? Just a lot of good conversations and fun nights. Nothing sexual, nothing intimate. Just friendly and fun. Still, my heart skips a beat, trips, and falls face first on itself. His name, Kirby Litman… Ugh, it gets me. I wanted so bad for something to happen between us, but the universe had other plans.

Le sigh.

“Everything okay?”

He grimaces. “Not really.”

“What?” she asks, concern in her voice.

His eyes cut to me and then back to her. “I’ll call you.”

I give him a dry look. “I’m in the inner circle, Nico. Love me!” He laughs as he heads out. Quickly. Even Aviva is laughing, but when I glance back at her, I ask, “You’ll tell me later?”

“Totally.”

And that’s why Aviva is my best friend.

Chapter Three

Jaylin

* * *

“Ms. Raventorn? Your mother is on line one.”

I hold my groan since, apparently, I’m a professional. It’s hard, but I also don’t want my assistant to know I don’t have the willpower or patience to speak to my mother right now. I know for a fact that Malcolm’s mom has already called my mom to complain that I blew him off. This means I have now embarrassed my mother and she will not be able to show her face at Sunday school. Doesn’t matter that Malcolm only wants me because I’m convenient. Or that he’s at his prime or whatever the hell he said. I’ve already forgotten.

My mind is full of thoughts of Kirby. I don’t even know why. I haven’t spoken to him in over a year. When he got back with his girlfriend, who may or may not have been an ex—I’m not sure what that situation is—he cut off all contact with me out of respect for both his girlfriend and me. He didn’t want to lead me on, and with how gorgeous I am, I know his girlfriend would be jealous. I am curious to know what’s up with him, though. I hope all is well. But I know he is okay. He is one of those people who doesn’t ever back down from a fight. If he wants something or sees a way to make things better, he’ll make it happen.

I haven’t heard from Aviva, and it’s killing me. I’m dying for the tea.

“Ms. Raventorn?”

Ugh. My mom. “Yes, sorry. Distracted. Please put her through, and then can you send me the Oleoff file? For the bookstore?”