Page 137 of Pinch

The game was held in Edmonton, Canada, and I’m toofar along in my pregnancy to fly. Otherwise, we’d have been in the arena in our Gav and Mav sweaters cheering for them.

It’s been hard to watch Gav play since his injury. The last time he went in for a steal and got checked against the boards I had to cover my eyes. Then a fight broke out, and I had to leave the room.

I’m turning into Aunt Dylan, hiding behind columns while trying to watch our family football games.

At least he replaced his helmet with one that has a full plastic face guard and not just a strip around his eyes like before. That shot was one in a million, but I’m glad he’s not taking any more chances.

“Where are they?” Gigi leans to look at my phone screen while she steals a tot.

“Almost home.” I show her my tracking app, and the little car icon is bouncing along getting closer to our street.

“I gave Gavin a hard time for stalking you after Christmas.” She pushes my arm. “You two are too cute.”

Noises outside the house signals their arrival, but I’m too big to get up. It doesn’t matter. Mav bustles through the door before Gigi even has a chance to get up.

The minute he sees me, he yells over his shoulder. “Haddy’s at our place!”

Then he crosses the space to drop his bag in the laundry room, leaving the door open behind him. I can tell by his expression, he’s still unhappy about the loss.

Chewing my lip, I decide against trying to make him feel better. I know my cousin, and he’ll have to get through his emotions on his own.

Gavin, by contrast, smiles as soon as he sees me. “Hey, were you lonely?”

He walks over to the back of the couch, leaning down tokiss the top of my head. “I was pretty freaked the whole trip thinking you might go into labor.”

Reaching up, I hold his face, dropping my head back for a real kiss. “Lulu knows better than to try and come out without her daddy here. Now, however, all bets are off.”

Gigi hops onto her knees to face him. “Sorry y’all lost the championship. That Edmonton team was killer.”

“We played well.” Gav shrugs. “Just wasn’t our year.”

“Is it because you don’t have a lucky charm?” I scoot to the side so I can see him.

“I think you’re my lucky charm.”

Warmth squeezes my chest just looking at him there, so tall and handsome in his suit, smiling that straight white smile, that bit of scruff on his square jaw. It was only a few days, but I miss him when he’s gone.

“A person can’t be your lucky charm.” Mav stalks back into the room. “It has to be a thing, or a ritual. Hads is right. You need to get one.”

Gavin’s blue eyes slide to mine, and he just shakes his head, mouthingit’s you. I duck forward, covering my laugh with my hand.

Just then, the doorbell rings, and Mav skips back into the living room, eyes wide. “Uh, Gigi, I have someone for you to meet.”

My cousin’s back straightens quickly. “What have you done?”

“You’ve been complaining about it being too quiet upstairs, so I found us a temporary roommate!”

“Maverick Murphy!” Gigi is on her knees on the couch facing the door as she argues. “We’ve talked about this…”

“Look how well it worked out last time,” he argues, slapping Gav’s shoulder. “You’re going to like this guy.”

“It’s a guy?” My cousin is about to argue when Mav opens the door.

Standing on the steps is a handsome man the same height as Mav. He’s got longish brown hair, and he’s wearing a light blue suit that makes his blue eyes seem to glow. His shoulders are broad, and he has nice hands, one of which is holding a large bag and the other is holding the leash of a bloodhound dog.

I don’t think it’s pregnancy hormones when I say, he’s pretty damn hot.

“Gigi, Haddy, I’d like you to meet Owen Stone.” Mav holds a hand to him. “And Ladybird.”