Page 57 of Total Shutdown

He screws up his freckle-smattered nose. “Yeah, he’s practically ancient. I can’t see anyone loving him now.”

My heart shatters into a million fucking pieces. Right here, in this loud, jam-packed arena, it breaks clean apart.

I clear my throat as the players skate back onto the rink. “Do you want him to meet someone else?”

He sinks into his seat, a crimson flush rising onto his face. “At one point, I kind of figured you and my dad were … I thought my friends were right and you were his girlfriend. But then I asked him, and he told me you were just friends.” He turns to me, question in his gaze. “Is it because he’s too old, or do you have a boyfriend already?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend, Ezra,” I reply, voice muted.

He shrugs his shoulders. “Must be his age then because I can tell he likes you, and Dad never likes girls. I think he misses Mom too much.”

Butterflies swarm my body. I know Sawyer likes me; he’s not made that a secret. Though hearing it from his twelve-year-old son? Now, that hits in a completely different way.

I want to tell him I like his dad, too, but I hold back. I’m here as his dad’s friend, and that’s it. I’m here with my friends, and that’s as far as it can go.

“I miss my mom,” he continues. “But if you asked me which of Dad’s dreams I’d want to come true, I think I’d choose someone who makes him happy instead of him lifting the Stanley Cup.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

SAWYER

Alyssa

It’s past ten p.m., and Ezra is wired on sugar. I can’t see him going to sleep anytime soon. He’s currently sitting on the couch, talking a million miles per hour about a CVO or something.

Climbing into my Lamborghini, I can’t help the smile as it pulls at my lips. A few weeks back, I’d have been as clueless as Alyssa, but Collins recently shared a concept for the new Harley model on her IG Stories, and naturally, I watch those too.

Like a fucking stalker.

Me

What did he eat to get him like that?

Alyssa

Best guess: jelly beans. He nailed an entire mega pack in his bedroom after dinner. Ninety-nine percent sure they came from Collins—he was sitting with her at the game, eating them.

Warmth floods my chest.I should probably be a little more concerned that my boy will be up all night, but all I can concentrate on is the image of him sitting alongside Collins, sharing a bag of candy and talking about motorcycles.

Me

He’s happy though, right?

Alyssa

Yes. LOL. Absolutely bouncing.

Me

I guess that’s all that matters. He’ll burn himself out and fall asleep soon.

Alyssa

She’s nice.

Me

Who?