Part 37 (1/2)
”Mom, no one is having any kids around here. If you want a baby, have one yourself,” Lucy says and her brothers' heads all whip to her.
”Really, Lucy!” Jace yells.
”Shut your dirty mouth,” Jude scolds.
”You're dumb,” Jayden exhales, shaking his head. ”Mom, don't listen to her. And Coach, don't get any ideas.”
”Oh my G.o.d, really, Jayden? You went there?” Baylor asks, gagging and shaking her head. ”That's not okay.”
Meanwhile, I'm cracking the h.e.l.l up. This is better than TV.
”I'm glad you are enjoying this s.h.i.+tshow,” Jace says, a grin pulling at his lips.
”This is awesome,” I say between laughs as he wraps his arm around the back of my chair. His eyes are dark as they capture mine, and within seconds, I feel like the most gorgeous girl ever. All because of the way he looks at me. Like I'm all he sees in lieu of everyone in the room. His mother's words scream in my head, and I wonder if they are true. If he does love me. And of course, I wonder if I love him.
But I'm really unsure if I even know what love is.
With Caleb, I think it was obsession. I needed something to hold on to because I wasn't treated right at home. But with Jace, it isn't like that. I don't need anyone now. I've learned to be on my own, but I want Jace. I want him more than I want my next breath. Leaning forward, he kisses my nose before turning back to the table as Jude points at him.
”So the showdown will be here in two months, Kings versus a.s.sa.s.sins. Since your middle brother and his wife are cheap and won't get a box in their arena for the family, I paid for the box-”
”He did not. Reese said everyone can come share hers,” Claire says, rolling her eyes.
”Details, baby, shh,” he says, pressing a finger to her lips that she promptly smacks away. ”Anyway, since I'm the one with the biggest contract at this table, I will fork out for everyone to attend. So I expect you to clear your schedule to come and watch, learn the ropes in case you make it into the NHL.”
”I will make it,” Jace says, and Jude holds his hands up.
”Of course, you will,” Jude says condescendingly, but he doesn't mean it in a hateful way. I may have only just met him, but there is nothing but love and respect in his eyes for his baby brother.
”You know, Jace,” Jayden starts. ”We both went first in the draft, so you have some big footsteps to follow in.”
”Don't listen to him. We will be proud, no matter what,” his mom says and Lucy nods.
”I'll go first,” Jace declares confidently, and they all grin while my heart bursts with pride. I smile as Jayden and Baylor both roll their eyes. The dynamic in this family is hilarious. They tease each other relentlessly, but in the end, they are so proud of each other. It's crazy awesome.
Jude nods before looking over at me. ”Avery, you're invited, so you better be there.”
Perking up, I feel my smile widen. ”Thanks, I'd love to come. My brother actually plays for the Kings.”
Not that I want to see him, but it's superawesome to be invited with Jace's family. Makes me feel important. But when everyone pauses and Jace looks at me perplexed, I'm confused. What did I say wrong?
Jude's eyes narrow as he looks at me. ”What? Your brother plays for the LA Kings?”
I nod, reaching for my water. ”Yeah, Seth Haverbrooke, number nine.”
When his jaw drops, I'm confused. What's the big deal? I look to Jace for support because I really don't know why everyone is staring at me like I'm insane. But he is making the same face his brother is.
”Wait, what? Your brother is Seth Haverbrooke?” Jace asks, his eyes wide.
I shrug, still confused as all get-out. ”Yeah, why?”
”Seth Haverbrooke, who is related to Benedict Haverbrooke, the commissioner of the NHL?” Jace's coach asks as I meet his gaze. His eyes are wide too, and I really don't understand what is going on. The only people who are not looking at me like I have seven heads are Claire, Jace's mom, and Angie.
”Yeah, that's my dad,” I say slowly as everyone just stares at me.
Jayden looks at Jace. ”You're dating the commissioner of the NHL's daughter?”
”Man, way to pick them! Hoping that gets you an in?” Jude laughs.
I scoff, rolling my eyes. ”Please, it's really not a big deal.”
But when I see Jace's face, I think I might be wrong.
Because, by the way he is looking at me, it must be one h.e.l.l of a big deal.
”I thought your last name was Rose?”
She looks at me, her eyes unsure as she slowly shakes her head. ”No, Rose is my middle name.”
”So it's Haverbrooke?”
She nods, her eyes full of confusion, and I'm dumbfounded.
All I can do is stare at her.
What.
The.
Ever.
Loving.
f.u.c.k.
Surely.
Surely, I heard her wrong.
But when I glance across the table at my brothers, hoping for some kind of answer, Jude is laughing from his gut and Jayden is crying with tears of laughter. But that's not all. No, Baylor's eyes are wide and panicked, and Coach's mouth is still gaping open. f.u.c.k, I have a feeling I heard her just fine. Which explains why my heart is jackhammering against my ribs, I can't breathe, and I'm two seconds from a panic attack.
”Why is this a big deal?” my mom asks. ”Why is everyone laughing? River, honey, what's wrong?”
”It's not-” Avery tries, but Coach's voice goes over hers.
”Her dad is the commissioner of the NHL. Autumn, he runs...s.h.i.+t, everything!”
”Oh wow,” my mom says. ”How awesome for you.”
”Hardly,” I hear Avery whisper, but I'm still unable to move.