Page 17 of Starting Over with You (Beer League Belles #2)

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Dean

I have two Thursdays a month that are mine and mine alone.

Between Wagner and me, we have a great schedule that makes sure I’m able to be home for Skyye on my weeks and still have two days for myself.

When Wagner asked me what day I wanted, I picked Thursdays so I can play hockey and then go to Whiskey and Whirl Night at the Thirsty Pine.

I’m usually really excited for my nights, but tonight, I’m feeling a little off.

Probably because I want to keep texting Kenni, but I don’t know how to act like I’m not fucked for her.

I feel like everything I say is like a neon sign telling the world: I want Kenleigh Colburn.

I’m sitting with most of my gear on, staring at my phone, while everyone else is getting ready for our game.

I play for the firehouse’s team, Hat Trick Heroes B team, on my Thursdays, and then for the Beer League Belles’ A team on Saturdays, when I’m off.

Since the firehouse doesn’t have a consistent team of players who can play all the time, we picked the B League so we don’t get crushed.

I get that this is just a beer league, but I love winning.

I glance down at my phone, to the open thread between Kenni and me.

Me

I’m assuming it was you who cleaned my truck and my hat?

Kenni

Yup, thanks for taking care of me. The coffee was a godsend. Next time, though, make sure you set up an IV drip.

Me

Next time?

Kenni

You know it.

I don’t know if I should circle back and tell her I’ll always take care of her. That it was my pleasure to bring her coffee, that maybe next time, we can go together. I want to ask what she’s done the last three days.

Fuck, I just want to talk to her. But can I? Should I?

Between her sister being my baby mama and my sister being her best friend and her just filing for divorce, can I really talk to her like I want?

Fuck. I feel like I’m eighteen again, just wanting a fraction of her time.

As if I’m once again leaning in to kiss her before I’m yanked away.

When my buddy Liam Cutler sits beside me, he hands me a beer before leaning back into the wall. He played for the Belles before my game and usually comes to sit with me before I hit the ice. He taps his beer to mine, and we both take long pulls.

“I’m not going to make it out tonight. I have a super-early morning. We’re heading to Knoxville for a tournament.”

I nod. He already told me this, but since he’s mentioning it again, something must be up. He coaches the 16u-18u travel teams for the Ice Thistle with his daughter. His boys are super talented, and he has kids coming in from all over to play for him. He’s a damn good coach. So is Chelsea.

“No worries. I’ll drink one for you and take a pretty girl for a whirl. ”

I wink and he snorts. “I’m sure that’s no hardship. Though, I’m surprised you didn’t ask Kenni to go out with you.”

I roll my eyes. “Why would I do that?” He gives me a knowing look, and I shrug. “She’s just coming out of a marriage.”

“That ended six years ago,” he says, like I don’t know every detail. I’m always thankful that Missy has a bigger mouth than a largemouth bass. That’s the only reason I know anything about Kenni.

Unable to handle what he’s throwing at me, I ask, “You excited for the tournament?”

Liam sighs deeply, and I smile knowingly. I knew something was up. “Chelsea is bringing him with her.”

I hold back my grin. “Him? You mean her boyfriend, Jackson.”

Liam glares at me. “Why does he need a title?”

I guffaw at that, taking a long pull of my beer. Licking my lips, I ask, “What are you going to do when they get married?”

His eyes widen to saucers. “What the fuck, man?”

“Come on,” I urge. “You can tell she likes him a lot, and he adores her.”

Liam shakes his head. “I don’t like it.”

“Will you like anyone?”

Liam shrugs. “Maybe when she’s thirty.”

I laugh as I knock my shoulder into his. “Give him a chance.”

He thinks that over as I start to tape my shin guards in place. When I slide my Hat Trick Heroes jersey over my head, he sighs deeply again. “I don’t know, man. His parents are batshit.”

“That’s family. Look at mine.” I stand to tie my girdle. “Plus, Kara isn’t that bad.”

The mention of Jackson’s mom has Liam staring at me, unamused. “She made it her goal to beat me at everything. The only thing she couldn’t beat me at was hockey.”

Kara and Liam went one and two in our class rankings.

She beat him by .05 points, and he has held a grudge ever since.

He beat her in the spelling bees, but she beat him at the science fairs.

They ran for student government, and each year was a knock-down, drag- out fight.

They would spread rumors about each other and do anything to get one up on the other.

It was insane, and everyone knew to give them a wide berth when they’d start battling.

It’s kind of funny that their kids have hooked up, with how badly they battled as kids.

“Yeah, but Jackson isn’t his mom. He really likes Chelsea, dude. Don’t you want your girl to have someone who adores her?” Liam thinks that over, and I slap his shoulder. “Give him a chance this weekend.”

By the way his face twists, I’m pretty sure he has no intention whatsoever of giving Jackson a chance.

I can only shake my head. “Think of Chelsea,” I try, holding his gaze as I put my helmet under my arm.

“You’re her best friend, her world, and it’ll kill her if you don’t get along with the guy she loves. ”

Liam looks away, taking a pull of his beer. Without looking at me, he grumbles, “I’ll remind you of this when Skyye brings home a guy.”

I scoff. “Hell, if he can make it through Missy, Kenni, and Sadie, I’ll welcome him with open arms.”

Liam laughs at that, and I tap my beer to his before draining the bottle. I hand it to him and then grab my sticks before heading out of the locker room. Over my shoulder, I yell, “Good luck this weekend, and I don’t mean for the team.”

Liam’s laughter meets my back as I make my way out into the rink foyer.

The place isn’t packed like it is on Saturday nights, but there is still a good crowd.

We’re playing the Blue Line Bandits, and their families tend to show out.

Most of my guys are single, so we don’t have much of a following.

I nod toward some of the townsfolk and send a wink to where the Belles are set up at their table.

It’s only Bea and Kitty tonight, and they wave sweetly at me.

Before I can wave my gloved hand at them, I hear my sister’s voice.

I look over to find her scolding her husband, who towers over her in his skates.

He has on his blue-and-black Blue Line Bandits jersey and is leaning on his stick as she lets him have it.

“You can’t tell her daddy about what we do! ”

Matt looks bored, but no one can miss the hearts in his eyes that he has for my sister. “He’s my boss. I had to tell him why I was there.”

Sadie glares, her wild mane of curly brown hair bouncing along her shoulders as she shakes her head. “Did you have to report anything? There was no arrest.”

Matt grins, his eyes darkening a bit. “Oh, but there was the use of handcuffs once I got you home.”

Sadie’s face turns bright red, and she smacks his chest. “Matt!”

He takes her wrist, pulling her into his chest before cupping her face.

He strokes his thumb along her jaw before leaning in to whisper something against her lips.

I watch as my sister’s anger dissolves and the sweetest smile comes over her lips.

A happiness that only Matt can give her fills her face, and I can’t help but smile.

“Get a room!” I yell at them as I walk by.

I’m met with laughter before Sadie grabs my jersey to stop me. She goes up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “Thanks for the other night.”

I give her a small side hug, squeezing her tightly. “No problem.”

“I heard Kenni got your truck cleaned out.”

I nod. “Yeah, and my hat.”

Sadie pulls in her brows. “What was wrong with your hat?”

“She puked in it,” I say with a wide grin that has my sister gawking at me.

“And you’re smiling?” she asks incredulously. “You love that hat!”

“She needed somewhere to puke.”

She eyes me, her eyes sharp and judgy. She tilts her head. “Just a reminder, she’s newly divorced, your daughter’s aunt, and my best friend.”

I wink. “I know exactly who Kenleigh Colburn is.”

And still, I want to know every single thing I’ve missed these last nineteen years.

Most of all, if she still tastes the same.