COPE
Coach Kenner blew his whistle,and the tiny monsters flew into action on the ice rink. Some of them had real skill, but others were a comedy of errors. All in all, they were having the time of their lives, and that’s what mattered.
Kenner shot a glance in my direction. “They’re getting better.”
“They are,” I agreed but winced as one of the kids took a header into the boards.
Kenner chuckled. “Sometimes.” He was quiet for a moment as the scrimmage continued. “I heard Sutton and Luca are staying with you.”
Something about the statement had me stiffening. It shouldn’t have surprised me, given how gossip moved in Sparrow Falls, but I didn’t want people whispering about Sutton.
“Yeah. They are.” I wasn’t giving him more than that. If he wanted to know something, he could grow some balls and ask.
Kenner studied me for a moment before turning back to the ice. “That’s nice of you. I know she’s good friends with your sister.”
Annoyance flickered through me. I knew the play he was making. “I don’t love my sister that much,” I muttered. That was a lie. I’d do anything for Rhodes or any of my siblings, but Kenner was pissing me off.
His focus snapped back to me, and I didn’t miss the flare of heat in his dark gaze. “There something between you two?”
I felt that telltale flutter in the muscle along my jaw. Sutton and I hadn’t exactly had a chance to discuss what was going on between us. We’d gotten home to Arden last night and then crashed. Hard. And Sutton was up before the sun this morning. She and I would have words later about her leaving without a goodbye.
I knew she was probably processing everything and what it could mean, but I wasn’t about to give second thoughts a chance to set in. Just like I wasn’t about to let Kenner fuck this up.
Turning to face him, I kept my arms crossed over my chest. “Yeah. There is.”
I expected my fellow coach to bluster or make some alpha statement. Instead, he sighed and shook his head. “Damn you. I knew I should’ve asked her out when I had the chance.”
A chuckle escaped me. “I gotta say, I’m not sorry you didn’t.”
“At least I know you’re a halfway decent guy,” Kenner muttered.
“Careful, those sweet nothings could go to my head.”
Kenner laughed. “I think your ego is big enough.”
“You’ve got a point there.” I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Anson and Shep were crossing the building’s foyer and heading for the rink. My stomach dropped, worry setting in. “Be right back,” I muttered, but I was already moving before Kenner could answer.
I crossed the space in a matter of seconds. “What’s wrong? Is Sutton okay? Is?—?”
Shep clamped a hand on my shoulder. “She’s fine.”
Relief swept through me, but my pulse still thrummed in my neck. “Maybe don’t show without warning, man. That’s a dick move. Worse than acan we talktext.”
“Told you,” Anson said.
Shep sent him a scowl. “He would’ve told me not to come.”
“Hey, you two bickering lovebirds want to tell me what’s going on?” I snapped.
All hints of amusement on Anson’s face slipped away. “Dex found the motherload on Sutton’s landlord.”
My blood turned to ice. “That’s your hacker friend?”
Anson jerked his head in a nod. “Rick Anderson is a sleazeball of epic proportions. Dex found that he has been systematically raising rents across all his properties, falsifying repair records that he charges tenants for, and even shutting off water when people can’t pay.”
“That’s illegal. Why has no one reported him?” I asked, my temper stewing.
“He’s preying on those less knowledgeable about their rights,” Shep said, a muscle in his jaw tensing.
