Page 139 of Daddies on Ice

His eyes search my face, and I know he can sense something’s different.

Carl has always been perceptive, able to read people like open books. “Everything alright? You seem…tense.”

Before I can answer, Jake’s voice booms from the front door. “Hope you saved room for dessert, because I brought ice cream!” He appears in the kitchen doorway with his trademark grin, holding up a bag from the local creamery.

His dark hair is tousled from the wind, and he’s wearing a leather jacket over a white t-shirt that clings to his muscled chest.

“You know I made cake, right?” I laugh despite my nerves.

“Can never have too much dessert, sweetheart.” He sets the ice cream in the freezer and pulls me into his arms, spinning me around until I’m breathless and giggling.

When he sets me down, his green eyes are warm with affection. “There’s that smile I love.”

Ash arrives just as Jake releases me, and the temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees.

The tension between them has been building for weeks, ever since we established our unconventional relationship.

Ash nods curtly at Jake before focusing on me, his brown eyes soft with concern.

“Hey,” he says simply, but there’s a world of meaning in that single word. He’s wearing a simple black sweater and jeans, his blonde hair slightly mussed.

The small scar at the corner of his mouth catches the light as he gives me a gentle smile.

“Hey yourself.” I rise on my toes to kiss him, and he responds immediately, his hands settling on my waist. When we break apart, I catch Jake watching us with an unreadable expression.

The front door opens again, and Trent’s voice carries through the house. “Smells good in here, Sis.”

My brother appears in the kitchen, and the atmosphere shifts immediately.

He nods at Carl, who returns the gesture with professional courtesy. But when his gaze lands on Jake and Ash, his jaw tightens.

“Trent,” Ash says carefully. “Thanks for coming.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Trent replies, though his tone suggests otherwise.

I clap my hands together, forcing brightness into my voice. “Well, now that everyone’s here, let’s eat! I’m starving.”

Inviting my brother wasn’t my first choice, but Ash and him already had plans for the night.

Leaving him out didn’t make sense when he was going to find out anyway.

Breathe.

Dinner starts awkwardly, conversation stilted and careful. But gradually, as the wine flows and the food works its magic, everyone begins to relax.

Carl compliments the pot roast, Jake tells a funny story about practice, and even Trent cracks a smile when Ash mentions a construction project they might collaborate on.

I barely touch my food, my stomach too knotted with nerves to manage more than a few bites.

The men don’t seem to notice, too caught up in the first civil conversation they’ve had in months.

As I serve the chocolate cake, I catch Carl watching me with those perceptive blue eyes. “You’re not eating much, Trisha. Feeling alright?”

“I’m fine,” I lie, setting a generous slice in front of him. “Just excited to have everyone together.”

Jake reaches over and squeezes my hand. “This was perfect, Tish. Just what we all needed.”

Ash nods in agreement. “It’s good to see everyone getting along.”