by Layla Hagen
Gran came up next to us with her glass of wine.
"Ma'am, your grandsons are true gentlemen. And Reese is... whatever the female equivalent is."
"Oh, call me Beatrice or Gran. 'Ma'am' makes me feel like I'm a hundred years old, and I still have eighteen years to reach that milestone."
I laughed. "Okay, Beatrice."
"I'm glad to meet you, Kendra. I've heard a bit about you through the grapevine."
"Oh?" I raised a brow.
"Yes, yes. I was most curious about you.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you too. I’m happy to meet you, though I’m feeling a bit guilty that the reason we’re meeting is that I’ve roped the entire family into helping me.”
She patted my arm. “That’s what we do, child. No need to feel guilty.”
“Exactly,” Reese exclaimed, coming up to us with Lexi. “Girls, the three of us should plan something. I need new friends. My sister's still in Paris, and since I suck at picking both guys and friends, I don't trust anyone I'm not related to right now—or someone who my cousins didn't choose."
Tyler chose me.
I smiled from ear to ear, deciding not to worry about how I would pay for the catastrophe today. Instead I would just enjoy this day and this fantastic group of people.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kendra
I never quite understood the saying “floating on a cloud” until I met Tyler. Scratch that. Until he became a part of my life, along with the rest of the Maxwells.
In the three weeks after the basement fiasco, my sexy goalie was busy getting back in shape and training. Somehow, he still found time to make me swoon. Case in point: he seemed to have put his whole family on task.
The contractor Luke had put me in contact with gave me a quote that wasn’t at all in my range, so I didn’t hire him. After a feeble attempt to do some of the work at the house on my own, I realized it was truly beyond my skill level, though. Luke suggested I could pay in installments, so we were meeting today in the afternoon to discuss that. Declan was coming too. The restoration company had written up a report on the pump, and it turned out to be faulty after all. Declan insisted I could sue the previous owners for withholding information.
They’d both taken their advising me so seriously, you would have thought it was their job. Last Thursday they even asked me to join them for Thanksgiving dinner, but I politely refused. Tyler was away with the team that day, and it felt weird to have dinner with his family on my own.
Right now, though, I was in my office, waiting for my sister. She was unusually late this morning. I sipped my coffee while tapping away at my keyboard. I was organizing a volunteer experience for a high-profile blues singer. It was obviously for PR purposes, but it didn’t matter. At the end of the day, it was going to make a retirement community happy, even if it was just for a day.
I was also busy replacing Tyler as a coach to the kids. I’d had contingency plans in place from the beginning, of course, but I hadn’t anticipated that he’d be back with the team so fast. But this was nothing I couldn’t handle. The only downside of being so busy was that I hadn’t even managed to start working on the house. At this rate, I’d never get to it.
I was smiling like a fool the whole morning as I poured myself a cup of tea and opened my laptop. I even smiled while doing a particularly boring spreadsheet.
At ten o'clock, my sister finally arrived, looking like she hadn't slept all night.
"Party girl, how are you feeling?" I asked her.
"Oh, Kendra, I'm getting too old for this. Please remind me not to accept any party invitations during the week. I feel like I can't even put a sentence together."
"I'll make a black tea. That will whip you back in shape in no time." Emma sometimes preferred tea to coffee.
She yawned while shaking her head. "I doubt anything can get me back in shape today, but you're welcome to try."
I was so jittery that I was looking for an excuse to get up from behind my desk and move around. I prepared her tea at the small appliance table we had in the corner.
"What's up with you?” she asked. “You're a bit jumpy."
Right, so she thought she couldn’t string two sentences together, yet she still picked up on that? That was my sister to a T.
“I don’t know. I just have this nervous energy, but in a positive way. I’m smiling for no reason.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I think I know the reason. Tyler Maxwell.”
I cleared my throat, fiddling with my thumbs, feeling like I was a teenager confiding in my sister about my first kiss. “Yes.”
"Oh my God." Emma sprang to her feet, accidentally spilling the tea all over the table.
"Sis," I said with a grin, hurrying to bring napkins.
"Oh, forget it. I have nothing valuable—oops, except my laptop. Let me put that away."
I returned with a stack of napkins, cleaning up. She helped too, and after throwing them away, Emma sat down and massaged her temples.
"What are you doing?" I inquired.
"I'm trying to determine if I'm fit enough for a spill-it session right now, or if I should ask you to tell me everything later when I'm awake."
I barely held back a laugh. My sister didn't believe in delayed gratification. I would bet anything that she'd ask me to spill the beans right now.
Not a second later, she dropped her hands to her sides, rolling her shoulders and looking straight at me.
"Okay. I think I have enough neurons awake to listen.”
“But you already know everything.” I leaned against the edge of the desk.
"Yeah, but I’ve been missing something.”
"Are we going to get any work done today?" I asked.
“No, I'm declaring this Sisters Day. I don't think I can be of any use anyway, and by the look of your smile, neither are you. You’re falling for him, aren’t you?"
Sighing, I pressed a palm against my chest. Somewhere between spoiling the kids and spoiling me, he got under my skin.
I nodded.
"Wow, wow, wow," my sister exclaimed. "You've been holding out on me."
"It wasn't intentional," I said truthfully. “I think I just realized it. And I’m basking in all its glory.”
She flashed me a smile. “As you should.”
“I’m also a tiny bit afraid.”
“You’re my sister. I know. But do me a favor and focus on how happy you were a few minutes ago, okay?”
I grinned. “That’s not too hard because I’m still supremely happy. But that doesn’t mean I can’t work too, so I’m going back to my desk now.”
Emma pouted. “Party pooper.”
I went back to my spreadsheet. I could hardly keep my thoughts from wandering, but an hour later, I finished my work and moved on to my inbox.
I groaned. At the top of my inbox was an email from Jared.
“What’s wrong?” Emma asked.
“Jared wrote back. I sent him an email semi-threatening legal action if he doesn’t deposit my paychecks, and he just gave me the same response, to pick them up myself. The moron. I’m gonna go there as soon as possible and bust his ass. And I’m gonna take pepper spray with me this time.”
“You think that’s enough?”
“It has to be. I need that money, and I’m gonna get it.”
“Why don’t you ask Tyler?” she suggested. “You said he offered, right? I bet no one’s gonna try robbing you if you’ve got a mountain of a man next to you.”
“I was thinking about asking him to come with me,” I admitted.
“Whoa.”
“It’s just... I feel safe when I’m with him, you know? And not necessarily in the sense that he keeps me safe, but I feel stronger.”
To my astonishment, my sister’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m happy you found someone who makes you feel that way. Did you talk to him about it?”
“No, he’s got to focus on the upcoming games right now. I’m going to wait a while.”
“Do
n’t wait too long, though.”
“I know, and it’s not like I can afford to anyway. Paying for the damage to the basement ate up all my money. I’m mad at myself for feeling afraid to go there. I mean, I worked there.”
She stared at me. “Yes, but last time you were there some guys asked for your wallet. God knows what would have happened if they caught up with you. I’d be more concerned if you weren’t scared of going back there.”
“Right. Okay. I’ll think about it. Let’s get back to work.”
Around lunchtime, a delivery arrived.
“Did you order lunch?” Emma asked me, carrying two boxes of pizza from my favorite Italian restaurant.
“No. I was just about to ask you what you wanted to have.”
At the same time, my phone chimed.
Tyler: Hey, babe. I hope your day is going well. Enjoy your lunch.
"Tyler sent it to us," I exclaimed, feeling like my heart was about to spring out of my chest. I was so happy that I could dance in my chair.
Emma fanned herself with her hand. “My God, this guy is in a league of his own, and I’m declaring myself his number one fan.”
“No you’re not. That’s me,” I exclaimed.
Kendra: Thank you so much!!!
Tyler: My pleasure. Can’t let my woman forget about me, can I?
Kendra: Fat chance of that happening.
Tyler: Don’t want to take any chances.
Kendra: My sister also says thanks. FYI, you’ve charmed her.
Tyler: Good. I like having a champion. Call me once you’re done.
I was all giggly as Emma opened the boxes on my desk. Mine was with a lot of cheese, and hers was with pepperoni. We devoured them within minutes.
Once we were finished, I stood up. It was time to head out to meet Luke and Declan.
Emma sent me an air kiss before sitting at her desk and putting on noise-canceling headphones. She had an important call, so I tiptoed out of the office and into the entrance hall. The whole office was empty today. It was a sunny day, but the end of November was tricky, and I knew better than to leave without a scarf. I also put a sweater over my shirt.
Just as I was about to leave the office, my phone lit up with an incoming call from Tyler. I answered right away.
"Hey, beautiful," he said. “How was your lunch?”
“Delicious. A certain sexy and thoughtful goalie spoiled me.”
“You deserve it.”
“Are you still with the team?”
“Yeah. We’re probably going to be here until late this evening.” They were at a hotel outside the city for a team-building day.
"How was your day?" I asked.
"Same craziness as usual."
I heard the smile in his voice. "Good crazy?"
"Fuck yes. I can't believe I'm back in the middle of things. What are you doing in the afternoon?”
I could just tell him I was meeting his brothers, or I could tease him a bit.
"I'm having a double date with two gorgeous hunks."
"What?"
Oh sweet Lord, that was Tyler to a tee.
Hot? Check.
Sexy? Double-check.
Delicious? Triple-check.
I burst out laughing. "I'm meeting your brothers."
"My brothers. Very funny. I'll get my payback once I'm in Chicago."
I shivered, checking my appearance in the mirror. I was fairly certain it was going to be a delicious payback. "I can't believe your brothers are doing this," I said.
"You're one of us, Kendra. Of course they’re doing it." His words moved me deeply, but I still didn't fully believe it. Every once in a while, though, I hoped this could be forever.
"Go get ’em, Mr. Superstar Goalie. I need to go."
I was smiling from ear to ear again as the call disconnected.
I met Luke and Declan at a small coffee shop near the Field Museum. Even though the weather was terrible, there was still a line to get inside. I loved this building, with the marble steps leading up onto the splendid terrace and the neoclassical architectural style of the museum itself. The coffee shop was five minutes away from the museum, and Declan and Luke were already sitting down at a table when I arrived.
"Hello, gentlemen." I waved at them.
Sitting up straighter, Declan blinked. "Gentlemen?"
Luke smiled. "Who tricked you into believing that?”
“Maybe you meant gentleman, as in singular? It could apply to me but certainly not to this one," Declan said.
"I'd give you shit, but you're right," Luke said.
"You're taking time out of your busy day to help. That makes you gentlemen in my book. Emphasis on the plural."
Luke grinned. "You haven't been around us for too long, then.”
Declan cocked a brow. "I stand by what I said. I am a gentleman."
Luke grasped his shoulder. “Declan, real gentlemen don't say that."
"Okay, while you're debating the pros and cons on this, why don't I get us drinks? It's my treat," I said before either of them could offer.
"She thinks she can boss us into this," Luke said.
Declan placed both hands on the table. "One thing you should learn about us Maxwell guys is that, gentlemen or not, we’re for sure not going to let you pay."
"Why don't we order the drinks, and we'll revisit this later?" I suggested.
Luke nodded. "You're good. I'll give you that."
"I know."
We all ordered coffee, and as soon as the waitress left, Declan rolled his shoulders.
“Okay, so I got the report from the inspection. They’d installed a faulty sump pump with no backup system, so there’s no argument. They have to pay for the damage. Here’s what I suggest as the next steps.”
He laid out a detailed roadmap for getting the money back from the previous owners for the water damage.
Luke took over next, taking out his laptop and showing me the timeline for payments if I decided to work with the contractor he suggested after all.
“Wow. I honestly didn’t think contractors accepted being paid in installments,” I told him.
“They usually don’t, but I used my charm to convince them,” he said.
“Thanks,” I exclaimed.
“Besides, they’re only doing one portion at a time, and you’re paying that, so they’re not at risk. If everyone keeps to the timeline, you’ll be ready to move in January. And I will make sure they deliver on time.”
They worked together as a team, and their energy even energized me.
"You think I'll have a chance of getting the money back?" I asked Declan.
"Definitely. I'm very good at what I do," he said.
"And he's humble too," Luke put in, "but I have to be fair. He's one of the best lawyers in Chicago. And I can vouch for all these handymen. They’re working at Declan's place too."
"You're moving?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yeah, as soon as my place is done."
Luke lifted the corners of his mouth.
"Don't start again," Declan warned.
"Don't start what?" I asked. "I want to have insider knowledge."
"He bought a property that has a guest house on it, which is rented out, and he can't get rid of the renter for some time."
Declan tapped his fingers on the table, leaning lower in the chair. "So what? I still don't get the problem. You amuse yourself every time.”
“Brother, I don't know if anyone's told you this before, but you're not compatible with anyone."
"We're sharing a yard. That's it."
"Yeah, I'm giving you one week before you go crazy. You're just not good at sharing. You like things a certain way."
"Doesn't everyone?" I chimed in.
"Thank you, Kendra," Declan said.
"But Declan is in a league of his own," Luke countered.
"Don't start again."
"Fine. I'm not starting, but don't say I didn't warn you when you’re going batshit crazy about your neighbor doing stuff you
don’t like."
"We'll have rules about cohabiting," Declan said calmly.
I was slowly starting to understand Luke's point of view. Rules were good, but they didn't always work out.
"If I were you, I’d just wait until the renter moves out," Luke said.
"I want my space. I’ll move, and we’ll have rules.”
I grinned at their banter. They were hilarious.
Declan focused on me. “But back to our conversation. Do you have any questions?”
“Yes. How long do you think it will take until I’m reimbursed?”
“Hard to say. Probably a couple of months.”
I grimaced. “Okay, that means I have to see Jared,” I murmured, more to myself.
“Jared?” Declan asked.
“My ex-boss. He owes me a few paychecks and is being a jackass about giving them to me. Says I have to go pick them up myself, but the neighborhood is sketchy. Last time I went there, two men followed me and asked for my wallet, and I had to duck into a store.”
Luke frowned. "How can we help?"
"I'm surprised Tyler didn't tell us," Declan added.
"I didn't tell him yet that I have to go there to get my paychecks."
Luke and Declan raised their eyebrows high on their forehead. Their expressions looked comically similar.
"Why?" Luke asked, sounding cautious.
"Well, now that he's back on the team, he's got lots on his mind." And I don't want to be trouble, a small voice said.
"He'll want to know," Declan said. Luke just nodded, drinking a swig of coffee. I suspected he was trying to weigh his words, and that was troublesome, because Luke didn't strike me as the type to do that. He usually just spoke his mind. "He doesn't like secrets. Remember when I didn't tell him about when Sam went missing because he had a big game coming up? That was a dark time in the Maxwell brotherhood."
“Your brother went missing?” I asked, stricken.
“It was a false alarm. Sometimes he’s located in dangerous areas. Once he was sent to a place that was under attack, and the entire unit lost signal. We all decided not to tell Tyler. He didn’t take it lightly.”
“This isn’t the same, though. I’ll tell him once things calm down. I just don’t want to distract him before his first game.”
