by Kate Meader
“No, not at all. I’m not explaining well. Reid’s more sensitive than he gets credit for. He internalizes a lot.” A brief flash of something crossed his face, a memory that might be painful. “You’re here, so he’s obviously surrounding himself with good people and good doggos. Or one good person, one good dog. And that might make him realize that he doesn’t have to be such a loner.”
“What about you? You’re here for him.” Oh, now she got it. “Is this why you bring over food he doesn’t want, so he’ll be kinder to himself? He thinks you’re playing mind games.”
Bast’s face went soft. “I know. But that’s not it at all. I just want him to realize that it’s okay to stray outside the lines and eat a fucking bowl of ice cream.”
Acts of service to demonstrate fraternal love. As sweet as the ice cream on her spoon. “You could tell him that.”
“Nah, he’ll think it’s some reverse psychology thing. We’re not really an ‘I love you, bro’ type of family. Listen, I’m always here for him, but in order to get through the season, to stay sharp and competitive, Reid has to maintain a certain distance from me. I get that. He can’t really go from buddy up with me to my competition on the ice. He has to go method and just be a jerk all the time.”
She understood. Maybe. But it was still strange to treat his brother like the enemy even off the battlefield. This had an Avengers: Civil War vibe to it.
“Hmm,” she hummed, taking a bite of the ice cream. It was smooth and silky on her tongue. “Is there a reason you’re telling me all this other than warning me to be kind?”
Which she was! The nerve.
“Reid would never admit he needed anything, but there might come a point where it’s all a bit too much.”
“What exactly are you saying here?”
His lips twitched around his spoon.
“You think I should seduce him?”
“There’s a thought.”
Maybe Reid was right and Bast had ulterior motives that were game-related. But she considered herself a good judge of character. She actually bought his explanation that he was trying to sneakily coax his brother into adding self-care to his regimen.
Even if that involved giving her a gentle shove into his brother’s bed.
“You know, this is none of your business.” So what if it was pretty much all she could think about since she’d woken up in Reid’s arms in Reid’s bed with Reid’s ...
Hot flash!
He offered the least casual shrug she’d ever witnessed. “I know. I just worry about him. I want him to be happy.”
“And you think sex will make Reid happy. Have you met your brother?”
He laughed. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Whatever was I thinking?”
Reid walked out of the apartment building to find a ranting woman engaged in a heated conversation with a car. He stood at the doorway, taking it in.
“I just need you to last for six freakin’ weeks! All you have to do is take me from Point A to B. Just do your job.”
Predictably, the car didn’t respond. She kicked the tire, and he was glad to say she knew how to do that in a way that didn’t hurt her, with the side of her foot so she didn’t damage her toe.
Reid looked down at Bucky, who watched with great interest.
“Let’s try this again, shall we?” she said cautiously like she was talking to a small child before a spurt of spirit overtook the proceedings. “When I turn that key, you had better cooperate!”
She clambered back into the driver’s seat, shut the door, and put on her seatbelt. After a moment where she seemed to be offering up a prayer, she turned the key in the ignition. There was a sad sputter followed by a muffled scream.
He walked over and knocked on the window. She rolled it down, her mouth in a sexy sulk.
“Trouble?”
“My car won’t start.”
“I gathered. Well, we gathered.” He dropped his gaze to Bucky. “Sorry you had to see that, fella.”
He had hoped to make her smile, but no go. This woman was not in a smiling mood. Today must be Roommate Freaky Friday.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
Her face looked like the morning sun as it snuck up over the horizon. “Oh, would you? That would be so awesome.”
Two minutes later they were in his car, headed to the seniors’ home where her grandmother lived.
“These heated seats are something else.” She ran her fingers over the dash and the hand-stitched leather armrest in a way that had him jealous of the car.
He hauled his gaze back to the road. “You do this yoga class for free?”
“Sure. It’s really for Edie because I’m trying to ensure she gets some exercise after her stroke. But it seemed silly not to offer it to everyone.”
“And she’s not your grandmother?”
“She’s as good as. Married to my grandfather, who passed away several years ago.”
For all Kennedy’s openness on a variety of topics, her past was still a closed book. Normally he wouldn’t pry. He preferred not to delve too deeply into people’s private affairs as it encouraged confidences and an intimacy he wasn’t ready to reciprocate. But Kennedy fascinated him. Had done so from the start.
Where were her parents? Why did she seem so alone? What was the deal with that watercolor on her nightstand? “What about the rest of your family?”
Her face crumpled. “Oh, Edie’s all the family I need.” The book slammed shut.
He sought more neutral territory. “How long have you been traveling?”
“Since I was nineteen. I went to college but I couldn’t settle or connect with it as an experience. The students seemed weirdly sheltered, living in this bubble, and I just wanted to get moving. Get out there. So I did. Picked up my yoga certification along the way so I’d have some sort of trade.” She rolled her eyes. “Edie doesn’t approve of my country-hopping lifestyle, so knowing I could get a job teaching something soothes her some. That’s why I got my teaching English as a second language certification, too. It’s always good to have options.”
The journey lasted for another minute. Too short, though Reid wondered why he thought that given she had barely imparted any information at all. They pulled up outside a pleasant-looking building.
“Do you need a ride home?”
“I wouldn’t say no. I’ll be a couple of hours, though. Actually it would—never mind.”
“Dis-moi.”
She gave a little shiver though the car was quite warm. “Could I bring Bucky? The residents love when I bring dogs to visit and it would be good socialization for him, too. But I’m sure you have tons to do today on your day off.”
Laundry, house-cleaning, gym time, jerking off to fantasies of his hot roommate … “We could come in for a short visit.”
“Awesome!” She smiled and his heart flipped uncomfortably. Bucky took it better. He hopped out of the car the moment Reid opened the door.
She took his leash from Reid and their hands brushed. Reid ignored the static charge. He didn’t believe in static charges. “I’ve got him. Could you grab my yoga mat and blocks? That would be really helpful.”
“Sure.” So he was the yoga boy now. Cute.
The moment they went inside, people crowded around Kennedy and Bucky. At first he was worried that Bucky would be frightened but the brave fella took it in his stride. These last couple of weeks he had definitely become easier around people, such an improvement from that first day.
A mix of staff and residents made a fuss, and Reid wanted to think it was the dog, but it wasn’t.
It was Kennedy. She brought sunshine into their lives.
About a minute in, someone screamed, “Reeeeeeeeeeeeed Duraaaaaaaaaand” with an upswing on the last syllable like it was building to a cymbals crash.
Everyone, who up until now had been cooing over Kennedy and Bucky, turned and stared as if he’d made that horrendous sound. The crowd parted and a mini-Moses with gray hair and sparkling green eyes appeared in
the center of the group. She looked him up and down, and declared, “I can’t believe Ryan Reynolds beat you out for Sexiest Canadian Alive. It was rigged!”
Mon Dieu. He shot a beseeching glance at Kennedy, who made the introductions. “Reid, meet Edie. Edie, Reid owns Bucky.”
Bucky was currently humping his leg, proving that he pretty much owned Reid.
“Are you joining us for yoga?” the screecher—Edie—asked.
“Just here for a visit.”
“I need a word with you.” She put her arm through Reid’s and he waited for her to give him some of the usual fan-to-player spiel.
That last drive to the net would have gone in if you did X, Y, or Z.
Let me tell you about my nephew who has an amazing slap shot.
Bet your dad is proud of you! Henri Durand, just imagine!
Everyone had an opinion, thought they could see inside his head. He prepared to be hit up for tickets or asked about Theo Kershaw (the grannies loved Kershaw), so he wasn’t quite ready for what came next.
“Are you dating my granddaughter?”
“Edie!” Kennedy shook her head.
“It’s a simple question.”
“I’m his dog sitter,” Kennedy protested, and mouthed “sorry” at him.
“Kennedy would never date someone like me. She has more sense.”
Edie was having none of it. “Why not? You’re very handsome.”
“Thanks, but Kennedy and I are just … roommates.” Hot kisses and offers for post-season oblivion notwithstanding.
“When has that ever stopped anyone? In fact, it should be easier with you both in the same house.”
“Edie!” Kennedy had gone red, which was strange because she came across as incapable of embarrassment. “Could you stop it? The guy’s also my boss.”
Though it hadn’t felt like he was the boss, when he woke up with his arms wrapped around her, his dick a rod of iron nudging her ass and seeking a way in. It felt like she was in charge and he was along for the ride.
Edie was already on another subject. “You’d do better on the same line as that Cal Foreman.”
Sometimes he had to explain hockey to people. “We play the same position. When’s he’s on, I’m off and vice versa.”
She gave a low growl, but it wasn’t because she didn’t understand. She was trying to tell him something. “You should be playing center.”
Huh, Edie was pretty sharp—or had an in with Coach Calhoun. “You know your hockey.”
“You bet your steel buns I do. So what’s wrong with my granddaughter?”
“Edie!” Kennedy yelped.
Nothing was wrong with her. So she tempted, teased, and drove him crazy. But other than that, she was perfect.
“Reid, what are you doing for Thanksgiving? I know they do it differently in Canada. You should come to us!” Edie squeezed Kennedy’s arm. “Right, honey?”
Another apologetic look from Kennedy. “I’m sure he has plans.”
Thanksgiving was next week. “I actually do—have plans, that is—but thank you anyway.”
“Well, you’re welcome, anytime, Reid. I know you’re new to the city so you probably don’t know many people.”
“Except his brother and the entire team.” Kennedy sent another apologetic look his way.
“But his brother has been here for years and probably has his own life. And Reid’s like you, hasn’t settled yet. Sometimes it takes a while to find your place in this world.” Edie divided a look between both of them when she said that. “Sometimes it takes a while to find the right people.”
Later that afternoon in downtown Chicago …
Bast opened the door of his apartment and grinned. Reid wanted to smash his face in. He had another full fridge and a report that Bast and Kennedy had an ice-cream date.
“Hey, you brought your buddy!”
Bucky was still a touch leery of strange men, especially ones who had the nerve to cozy up to a brother’s roommate. Ever careful, he molded his scarred body to Reid’s leg.
“Didn’t bring Kennedy, then?”
“No.” Not waiting for an invitation, Reid walked in. “She’s working.”
“Aren’t you paying her enough?”
Ignoring Bast’s question, Reid sat on his sofa and got Bucky settled at his feet.
His brother sighed. “I got that water you like. The flavor-free kind.”
“Très drôle.” Reid liked his brother’s apartment, which looked lived in after his six years in the city. Art on the walls, books on the shelves, even a case for his trophies. The Championship ring, which his brother had won three years ago with the Hawks, twinkled on a shelf.
Reid wandered over and picked it up, something he always did when he stopped by, like it could transfer some of its shine to him. Bast had told him he could put it on, but Reid would never do that. Bring a slew of bad luck on his head? He set it down again, his envy pitiful.
“Dad should have made the trip anyway,” Bast said, though Reid hadn’t said a word. It was annoying to be known so well.
“We both know why he didn’t.”
Bast frowned. He never liked the reminder that Henri viewed his sons differently. “He expects a lot. Of both of us.”
Perhaps. Yet Reid felt the weight heavily on his shoulders. “Coach wants to put me in as center.”
Bast’s eyes lit up. “You’ve always wanted to play that position.”
Had he? There had been a time when he thought it would suit him better, but the doubts had seeped under his skin and into his blood. He went for the glory position of winger because it would score more points with Henri. Scoring points was what his life consisted of: with his father, his brother, his teammates, the league.
“I might suck at it.”
“You won’t. You’re incapable of sucking at anything, Reid.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Remember when we used to go to that rink at the community center in Grenville and that big piece of shit, Teddy Something—”
“Gunderson.”
“Teddy ‘Tree Trunk’ Gunderson challenged you play tender for a puck challenge and you didn’t even have pads?”
His body was bruised but his spirit was unbroken. “The first of many reasons to despise him.”
“And then you beat the shit out him in the parking lot. Defending me.”
“He shot that puck at your head.”
“Yeah, after he shot twenty of them at yours in goal. And half of them didn’t miss.”
When Henri heard that Gunderson had made the mistake of directing a dangerous puck at Bast he scolded Reid for coming to his brother’s defense.
You’re not his keeper, Reid. Let him defend himself.
No matter how much Henri tried to drive a wedge between them, Reid never took the bait. At least not anymore. They were competitors on the ice but brothers everywhere else.
It had taken a while to get here. Bast had been in awe of Reid when they were little and Reid had taken that hero worship and thrown it back in his face. Not just verbally, either. He had not been a good brother to Bast and now he wanted to be. Edie’s comments about Reid not knowing many people in the city had resonated—Reid had Bast and he needed to nurture this while he had the chance.
Only now Bast was getting close to Kennedy and Reid didn’t enjoy this new influx of negative feeling. He had a hard enough time escaping his guilt at not being better at his job of big bro.
“You could play goalie for the Rebels and you would be amazing at it,” his brother said, his tone gentle. “Whatever you put your mind to.”
“Are you seeing Kennedy?” The words had left Reid’s mouth before he could stop them.
Bast didn’t even look surprised at the sharp change in conversation. “I’ve seen her. I stopped by yours yesterday, but she had to leave for one of her gigs. Busy, busy girl.” He let the beat hang for long enough for Reid to get really pissed. “Bro, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this. You’re, like, glowing!”
“No, I’m not.”
“You are! This is so fuckin’ cute. Reid’s got a crush.”
Damn, he had, from the second he walked into that coffee shop.
Then said yes to his crush living with him.
While he was on a sex fast.
Stupid, stupid Reid.
“She likes you,” Reid muttered, not knowing if it was true, but needing to say something to leech this tightness from his chest.
“Sure, as a friend. She’s gorgeous, I grant you, but I wouldn’t do that to you. I might have before you came over and spilled your guts—”
“How exactly did I spill my guts?”
“Reid. You. Here. With your cute-as-fuck dog. Asking me if I’m seeing Kennedy. That is like a full-scale admission of your infatuation with this girl.”
Reid offered up his darkest scowl.
His brother merely laughed and pointed. “Now I know you’re crazy about her.”
“I’m not. I’m …” He reached for Bucky and rubbed behind his ears. “She’s not the kind of person who sticks. I have to figure out a plan for Bucky.”
Bast considered that for a second. “You know I’m glad you’re here in Chicago. Maybe you’re not but I think this is a good place for you. The Rebels is a good fit for you, center is a good position, and Kennedy likes you. Trust what your gut’s telling you.”
“She’s attracted to me and I’m attracted to her. It’s just a physical thing, nothing more. And she won’t be around for long anyway.”
His brother snorted. “So go for it! Lock her down. Plant your fucking flag, bro, before someone else does.”
Could he do that, knowing it would throw his regimen off course, but worse—and he couldn’t believe he was even thinking this—that it was only short-term? He already liked her. A lot. He liked how easy it felt around her. She might be the key to unlocking some part of him he didn’t know existed.
The not-Henri part.
To taste that potential—for himself, for them—and have it ripped away was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.
21
Kennedy reread the email from the school she had contracted with for her work visa in Thailand. They still hadn’t received the documentation from the consulate and now, heading into the busy holiday season, her plans might be delayed.
