Page 77 of Use Me

“Ashtyn!” She beamed and wrapped me in her arms.

“Merry Christmas, Claire.”

“I’m so happy you could come.” She pulled back.

“Thank you for having me.”

“Hand me your coat,” Rhys said.

I shrugged out of my wool coat and handed it to him. Claire gestured for me to walk into her home, and as we headed toward the kitchen, we passed a lit fire in the fireplace and little bit of pain scorched my heart. I had a fireplace in my condo, and I knew Rhys wanted one. If only I could stand to be in there for more than ten minutes while I grabbed clothes …

I turned my head to look at Rhys as he followed behind us and nudged my head toward the flames. “We should find a place with one.”

Rhys’s mom stopped walking. “You two are going to find a place together?”

My gaze darted to Rhys, realizing I had just said we should move in together. We practically were living together, but it wasn’t official yet. There were things that needed to be done before we had the same address. Like selling my condo. And if we decided to find a bigger location with a fireplace, then we’d need to sell his home too.

“It’s a possibility.” Rhys winked at me as he answered his mother.

“Did you hear that, Romi? Your brother and Ashtyn might move in together!”

We finally rounded the corner, and I saw a few more people standing at the kitchen island and eating what looked to be cheese dip.

“Don’t embarrass the girl, Mom.” A woman who looked a lot like a younger version of Rhys walked over to me and stuck her hand out. “I’m Romi, Rhys’s sister.”

I smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“This is my husband, Shane.” She gestured to a man behind her. We shook hands as well.

“And this big guy is my dad,” Rhys stated.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Cole.”

“Please call me Andy.” We shook hands as well.

“I’m not trying to embarrass Ashtyn, Romi. I’m just saying that your little bun in the oven might not be my only grandchild.”

“Whoa!” Rhys held up his hands in mock surrender. “We haven’t even had sex yet.” My eyes widened as Rhys threw his arm around my shoulder and whispered, “Don’t be embarrassed, Cupcake. They know I’m joking.”

I wasn’t sure if that was worse.

One down. One to go.

Being with Rhys’s family was amazing. I felt comfortable, and I think I fit in well with everyone. His mom continued to be wonderful, and so was his father. His sister couldn’t stop glowing, and I was jealous that she was finally starting a family. It wasn’t that I was thinking Rhys and I should start right away just because we were in love. It was because I was going to be thirty-four and time was ticking.

Rhys drove us about twenty minutes to my parents’ house for Christmas dinner. I was already stuffed, but this was how I assumed all Christmases would be in the future. At least that was what I’d always wanted, or maybe next year we could do Thanksgiving at his parents and Christmas at mine then switch the next year.

“I know you’ve met Ethan, but I have another brother. Plus, my dad,” I reminded him.

Rhys looked over at me as he put the car in park. “I’m not scared. Ethan loves me.”

“Right.” I snorted. I wasn’t sure if either one of my brothers would ever approve of a boyfriend of mine. They were too protective and acted as though I was still in high school and some guy only wanted in my pants.

“Well, he knows I’m taking care of you, and that’s all fathers and big brothers want.”

“I hope so,” I sighed. What if they didn’t like Rhys? What if Ethan was only being nice because Rhys had tried to save me? It’s not every day you’re almost kidnapped and your boyfriend is almost shot. But they loved hockey and hockey was Rhys’s life. Plus, every game they watched Rhys on TV just like his family caught my broadcasts.

We got out of the car and walked up to the front door. It was unlocked, so we entered. Dad, Ethan, and Carter were sitting on the couch ready for the rare Christmas day football game. It didn’t happen often, but it was happening this year, and they were excited. It wasn’t even two teams they liked. It was just sports, and they were men.