“Oh,” she said. “Speaking of terrifying hockey royalty.”
I turned to see Oli Russell walking in with Sloane tucked under his arm. I had seen them plenty of times growing up, butit still hit me every time. Oli had that kind of presence that made a room adjust around him. Sloane was beside him, pretty and warm, with a smile that softened the whole picture.
Liv waved. “Aunt Sloane!”
Sloane spotted us and immediately came over, pulling Oli with her.
“Girls,” she said warmly.
Liv stood first, hugging her. “Hi.”
I stood too, and Sloane hugged me next like she had known me my whole life, which she basically had in the weird extended hockey-family way.
Oli leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Hey, kid.”
“Hi, Oli.”
His eyes narrowed playfully. “You’re not still a kid, are you?”
“No.” This was awkward. Not only was I not a kid, I was pining after their son.
Sadie introduced herself, and Sloane recognized her dad’s name right away. Then Oli looked toward the guys’ table. Hunter had gone very still. Max looked delighted. Leo looked like someone had just dropped Santa Claus into brunch.
“Oh good,” Oli said. “The children are here.”
Sloane smacked his arm. “Be nice.”
“I am nice.”
They headed toward the guys’ table, and the second Oli got close, the energy shifted. Hunter looked embarrassed, which was adorable. Oli clapped a hand on Hunter’s shoulder and leaned down to say something. Hunter covered his face with one hand. I smiled into my coffee.
Billie leaned close. “You’re in so much trouble.”
“I know.”
We finished brunch while the Russells settled at a table across the room. I tried not to look too much, but it was hard. Hunter was different with his parents. Still controlled, but softeraround the edges. Sloane touched his cheek once when she passed him, and he let her. Oli asked him about something, and Hunter rolled his eyes but smiled. It was another piece of him and another part I wanted. Because apparently I didn’t have enough problems.
When the bill came, Taylor grabbed her purse. “You coming with me?”
I looked at my phone. My body already knew the answer.
“I can come for a bit,” I said.
Billie smiled like the devil. “For a bit.”
“Stop,” I practically begged.
Liv hugged me outside the restaurant. “Be careful. Hunter is like a cousin to me. He hasn’t dated anyone in over a decade. His heart is on lockdown.”
“I know,” I assured her. I knew what being cheated on felt like, but Hunter felt safe.
Sadie squeezed my arm. “If your dad finds out, I was never here.”
Taylor laughed. “Coward.”
“My dad knows Cole. I’m protecting my trust fund.”
I said goodbye to Billie, who hugged me and whispered, “Text me if you have sex. Or if you almost have sex. Or if there is heavy petting. Just text me after.”