“Nope. Absolutely not.”
“Good. Then I can stay, for a little bit.”
That wasn’t what I was saying no to. Oh, fuck it.
Luca steps out of the bedroom, raising an eyebrow when he sees an unfamiliar girl on the couch with Zeke. “Sorry, I was making the bed. Didn’t hear you guys come in.”
I roll my eyes at Luca. “At least get your stories straight.”
Harper and Luca exchange a glance and laugh. Harper’s cheeks redden and she giggles, grabbing Luca’s hand and tearing back into the bedroom before shutting the door.
I swear we live with them, so they have a full-time babysitter.
“They’re cute together,” Bristol says and then pauses and laughs. “That’s your teammate, Luca Ricci.”
I inhale sharply. “Yes. Why are you asking?” If she’s got the hots for him, someone’s about to get murdered.
“He’s a really good player for the Narwhals. I mean, your team would suck without him.”
I shuffle my shoes off and walk around the coffee table to grab the empty spot on the sofa, with Zeke next to me. “He’s all right.”
“You guys lost the last game of your season because Luca didn’t play. And not by a little bit. You got creamed.”
“Don’t remind me,” I growl at Bristol. “How could I forget you were always this annoying?”
Bristol doesn’t so much as look at me as I watch her, study the lines of her face, the faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She’s a sight of beauty, and I can’t tear my gaze away. I’m waiting for her to snap at me, make some smart-ass remark like she always does.
“Hey, cutie.” She ruffles Zeke’s hair, and I’m one-hundred percent jealous of him.
Bristol then glances up at me. “You shouldn’t talk like that in front of the little one. They learn everything.”
My jaw drops. “You’re in here two minutes, telling me what to do, how to talk, that I suck at hockey. Wow. Maybe you should ride that bus back to Great Falls.”
“Maybe I should.” Bristol sighs and glances at her watch.
Zeke climbs onto Bristol’s lap and rests his hands on her cheeks. It’s the same move that I’ve seen Luca do with Harper.
And sure enough, Zeke leans in and plants a giant kiss on her lips.
Bristol laughs and wipes the kiss away with the back of her arm. “Okay, Zeke, I think it’s time for cartoons.” She spins him around and plants him back on the sofa.
I grab Zeke, pulling him into my lap. “Consent, kid. You got to respect the ladies.”
“Consent,” Zeke repeats, but I’m not sure that he understands what it means. “Tickle me!” Zeke squeals and wiggles on my lap.
He never runs out of energy. I tickle his hips, watching him squirm and giggle, his arms and legs flailing wildly.
“More tickles!” Zeke proclaims, never seeming to get tired of the fits of laughter.
Bristol watches quietly. “You’re really good with him.”
“He’s one of my closest friend’s kid. We all live together. Kind of have to be, or this would be hell.” I gesture to the house, our living arrangement.
“Hell,” Zeke repeats and giggles, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “Hell.” It’s a new word that he’s discovered, thanks to me.
“Shit.” I curse, knowing that Harper is going to yell at me for teaching the kid another bad word.
“Shit. Shit. Shit,” Zeke chants, and I throw my head back, close my eyes, and groan.