Page 137 of The Puck Stops Here
‘I think your sons thought it would be nice that I meet you because I’m writing about their life,’ Astrid softly evaded, ‘and you’re the most important person in it.’
Cynthia’s smile widened. ‘You can tell yourself that, but I see the two of you, so does Aiden, and he knows his brother better than anyone. Better than Blake does himself at times. There’s something special there, you mark my words. I may not know a lot about healthy love, but I know love, the early flutterings and the joy they bring. Now I just need to see it with Aiden again.’
‘See what?’ Aiden said, making a timely return. ‘If you’re talking about my Christmas sweater, it isn’t happening, not now, not ever.’
‘Spoilsport,’ Astrid forced out as Cynthia gave her another one of those winks.
* * *
‘Did you have a good time?’ Aiden asked when he drove her home later that evening.
‘I did, thank you again for inviting me.’
‘You’re welcome. I was also thinking, if you’re free this week, why don’t you come to Massachusetts with us? You’ve seen us with Mom, you should probably see us on our old ice, too. We can show you around.’
‘Really?’
If she went, she’d be close enough to visit Sienna. She could speak to her in person. Tell her what Blake had told her, what his mother had also confirmed. That kind of closure had to be better than any kind of karma any day of the week.
‘Why not? There’s room on the private plane, the GM has already cleared you on the expenses front, and you’re great for the team’s morale.’
The team’s morale or your brother’s? she wanted to ask but daren’t, not after custard-gate.
‘Seriously, Astrid, the testosterone in the locker room when you walk through it is enough to fuel a shutout.’
‘A shutout?’ She laughed. ‘I’m glad I’m good for something.’
‘You’re good for a lot,’ he said, suddenly serious. ‘My brother especially. So, will you come?’
She gave a shaky breath, surprised by his honesty and the way her heart bloomed out of her control. ‘I’d love to.’
* * *
As she got ready for bed that night, Astrid fired off a message to the girls.
Just Desserts WhatsApp Group. 22.15 EST.
Astrid
Dinner went better than I ever could’ve hoped! Sissi you MUST watch the game tomorrow night! No spoilers!
Paige, I hope you’re doing okay
B, hope things are coming together nicely at your end
She waited to see if anyone picked up and when they didn’t, she fired off a private text to Sissi.
Need to speak you honey! I’m coming to town!! Call me!! Xx
Then she climbed into bed and checked her phone again. No messages.
And she knew she wasn’t checking for the girls this time, she was checking for Blake because… wellbecause… holy fuck, she’d come so hard and so fast. The memory alone was enough to make her blood race, and her clit throb, and Delia’s book wasn’t going to cut it tonight. Tonight, she wanted him.
Wanted him so much that she feared she’d go on wanting Blake long after the article was done. No matter her intentions, her plans to return to the UK, to get her life back on an even keel… post-karma, post-Aiden, post-Blake.
Because life without Blake was unimaginable right now.
She didn’twantto imagine it. And so, she wouldn’t.
