Trouble : Boston Bolts Hockey

Track 19

MAGIC

“You nervous?” Melina asks as the three of us climb the porch steps of my sister’s brownstone.

Last night, when Cade and Melina agreed to join me for Christmas Eve, I thought my heart might burst. Tomorrow, we’ll have Christmas dinner at Cade’s mom’s house. She’ll be here tonight, too. My mom didn’t want her to be alone, and the Langfields are always happy to include the people we care about.

While I’m nervous about how my family will react to the three of us, I think Cade was probably right when he said to give them more credit. My sisters-in-laws are some of the most open-minded people I know. Though I am nervous about how my sister and her kids will react. They’ve never seen me with a significant other, let alone two.

Honestly, Cade could have asked for anything last night, and I would have given it to him. Likely still would. I’m head-over-heels in love with him and Mel, and the fact that he forgave me and gave us another chance is not something I take lightly. I’m deliciously sore, and I know they are too. I had no idea what I was missing all these years, but apparently, I really like ass play, and more than anything, I really love fucking Melina and looking down into her eyes while Cade fucks me. Giving up control, allowing them to care for me, to know what I need, is indescribable.

But I also really fucking loved fucking Cade too.

And when he plays with my prostate? Yeah, I really fucking like that.

Truth be told, I just love the two of them. Doesn’t matter whether we’re having sex, just lying in bed together, or doing everyday things, like walking into my pain-in-the-ass brother-in-law’s house like we are now. It’s all better because I’m with them.

“It’ll be fine,” Cade says from my other side.

Shrugging, I step up to the door.

Before I can knock, it swings open, and an oversized dog rushes past us.

“Deogi!” Beckett shouts as he flies down the steps and chases after the dog.

I guide Melina and Cade inside with a roll of my eyes. “Pain in the ass.”

Cade nudges me. “Watch out, or Finn will get ya with the swear jar.”

I run a hand over my face. Yeah, I can’t afford that. Unlike the guys here, I don’t make millions playing hockey or coaching the sport, and I don’t perform for sold-out stadiums. And unlike my idiot brother-in-law, who’s guiding the pony-sized dog back into the house, I don’t make millions by simply existing.

“Sorry about that,” Beckett says as he waves us into the living room. “Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll take your coats and put Deogi in the kitchen.”

“Did he just call his dog D-O-G?” Melina whispers, eyes wide. She’s probably regretting dating me already.

As Beckett disappears with our coats and his pony-dog, I roll my eyes at him and grip Mel tighter. Less chance she can leave me. “Try to remember that you love me today.”

My girl giggles beside me, while Cade shakes his head, hiding his chuckle in his shoulder.

Beckett may drive me nuts, but a warmth settles over me as I step into the room and spot my sister with one of her twins in her arms. He did that. He gave her this. A beautiful home. Twin daughters. A safe place for her and for her other children when their own father was nothing but a disappointment. For all the shit I give the man, Beckett Langfield is a good one. He didn’t hesitate when I asked for help after Melina was attacked. Not only with the police and the assault footage, but with the around-the-clock detail he had on Jason.

That’s the reason I know that the asshole remains in a coma today. All is right in the world.

Beside my sister, Brooks Langfield’s fiancée holds the other twin. Both women are laughing at Gavin as he yammers on, swinging his arms wildly.

“Must be talking about Aiden,” Cade says to Melina.

Her smile is bright as she surveys the room. Yeah, I think this was a great idea. Seeing Melina happy, seeing her relaxed and glowing, makes all my apprehension worth it.

“Uncle Dec!” Finn flies down the steps and rushes me. Before he can bowl Melina over, I grab him and pull him into a hug.

“Jeez, what has Beckett been feeding you? You’re getting huge.”

Behind me, Beckett barks out a laugh.

“Who are you?” Finn asks Melina, his head tilted as he stares her down.

I eye Cade and set Finn back on the ground. My sister is headed our way, and my mother is talking to Cade’s mom and Beckett’s. When she spots me, she excuses herself and shuffles over.

“Guess now is as good of a time as any.” I look from Cade to Melina.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Both are wearing calm expressions, while I’m sweating like I’m decked out in my turnout gear and headed into an inferno. I take Melina’s hand and drape an arm around her shoulders. “This is Melina, my girlfriend.”

My sister’s jaw drops. Okay. Guess I was wrong about how obvious the three of us are. Apparently walking in with Cade and Melina and the palpable tension that exists between us wasn’t enough of a sign. Looks like I’m actually going to have to spell this out. Like always.

Swallowing past the boulder in my throat, I scan the sea of people watching me and point to Cade. “And Cade is my—” I eye my sister. Fuck. Will she be upset that I’m telling her kid about this?

She gives me a sweet smile and nods, easing a fraction of my fears.

“Cade is my boyfriend.”

I hold my breath, spine rigid, while I wait for the fallout.

Finn is the first to speak. “So should I call him Uncle Cade and her Auntie Melina like I do with Auntie Sar, Auntie Lex, Auntie Millie, and all the moms?”

I side-eye Cade, my heart stopping. Shit. Will he freak out at the insinuation of marriage? I’m pretty sure we’re his first relationship ever.

To my absolute fucking relief, he’s just shaking his head and fighting a laugh, one brow cocked like he’s enjoying watching me squirm.

Beckett squeezes Finn’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t that be exciting? More people to love, Huck.”

I try not to let my mouth fall open in shock, but I can’t hide the way his genuine tone makes my eyes bulge.

Finn nods. “Yeah, and he’s a hockey coach like Uncle Gav.”

Cade grins. “Sure am. I’m in charge of your Uncle Brooks.”

Over near the bar setup, Brooks laughs. “I’m not sure that’s how I’d put it.”

Sara nudges him. “Right. That’s me.” She grins at Cade. “But you can be second-in-command.”

Melina bats her eyes at Cade. “Don’t worry, you can be in charge of me any day of the week.”

The room erupts with laughter, but Finn frowns. “So is that a yes?”

I pull Melina’s hand up to my lips and kiss it. “That’s a yes.”

“You know,” Beckett starts, “some would say this is my best match yet.”

“Oh god,” Gavin groans, dragging a hand down his face.

“Please stop,” Liv begs as she bounces the baby in her arms.

Beckett scoffs. “What? I’m an even better matchmaker than I thought. I only meant to set him up with one person, and I got two people to fall in love with your grumpy brother.”

“Hey,” I growl.

Beside me, Cade chuckles and pokes my ribs with an elbow.

I turn my glare on him. “I’m not grumpy.”

“Oh, you are, Dec,” my sister says. “But we all love you anyway.”

Melina pops up on her toes and kisses my cheek. “We really do.”