Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“And it didn’t stop when we were grown. It might’ve even been worse as the stakes have gotten higher.” She stares into her mug like she’s analyzing that. “I show up before they know they need me, address issues before they become problems, and make sure they don’t fuck up when it’s important. Yet, I don’t think they even know what all I’ve done to get them to where they are.” When she looks up once again, the weight of the responsibility she’s carried is visible in the tiredness hiding in her eyes, and though she would staunchly deny it, I think Kyle’s actions, and his reaction, hurt her. Deeply.
“Where were your parents?” I ask carefully. Not having siblings (and having amazing parents), I don’t want to inadvertently step on a landmine, especially having been thrown into a warzone unexpectedly by Kyle’s appearance.
“Busy,” she says, taking a sip of her coffee. “I’ve always been Mom’s backup and Dad’s left hand—Cameron’s obviously the right.” She sets the cup down suddenly, her brow furrowed as she rushes to clarify. “I don’t mean to make it sound like I was some martyr, putting everyone else above my own needs. I definitely prioritized myself. I had to or I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am.” She pauses, as though she expects us to give her shit for that, but I get it. You’ll never reach a goal if you don’t do the hard work yourself, something hours of early morning rink time have taught me.
“Taking care of everyone, yourself included, shows how amazing you are,” Riggs praises, tilting her chin up to bring her eyes to his. “It’s your turn. Not in the way Kyle said, like you have some penance to pay, but your turn to let us do for you what you’ve done for them.”
Her nose crinkles as though that sounds awful. It’s honestly adorable, though I would never tell her that. Mostly because I think she’d recoil at anything about her being described as something so ridiculous as ‘adorable’.
“Let us take care of you,” I say, piling on to Riggs’s strategy.
“That makes me sound weak.”
Riggs and I both chuckle immediately. The idea of Kayla being even the slightest bit weak is preposterous. “You are a force to be reckoned with, woman. What you just did with your brother? Badass. But being tough doesn’t mean you don’t deserve—” Riggs cuts off suddenly, and only because I know him so well do I know that he was about to say love but caught himself. Thank fuck. Even if he’s thinking it, it’s way too soon to throw that word out, especially for Kayla, who I think would outright panic. “Care,” he finally says, his voice rough and low.
“Still don’t like it,” she says, glaring at him from beneath an arched brow and not budging in her self-assessment.
Trying another angle, I ask, “Did you think your brothers were weak when you had to step in to help them?”
“I thought they were dumbasses, usually. But I wouldn’t exactly say weak.”
“Well, there you go,” I conclude cheerfully. “Strong people need care too.”
Her eyes ping-pong from me to Riggs and back as she mulls over our presentation. It might not have included anything fancy like PowerPoint slides or animation, but I think it’s pretty solid. She takes a deep breath, her spine straightening and her fierceness reappearing. “Okay.”
I’m smiling at the victory even though I don’t have a fucking clue what she’s actually agreeing to. “So, we’re going to dinner?” I ask hesitantly.
“Oh, God no!” she exclaims, looking horrified. “I only let Kyle think that because it was easier than arguing with him. Plus, he’ll show up to dinner thinking he’s gotten one over on me, but no one outmaneuvers me.” She beams with pride at that. “Besides, I wouldn’t do that to you. I appreciate your being willing to face the wolves with me, but there is no way we are going to that dinner.” She shakes her head vehemently.
“You sure?” Riggs asks. “If there’s more than two forks, I’ll make a complete ass of myself, but for you, I’ll go.” I’ve seen him at team dinners, and he’s not exaggerating. Fancy-schmancy, multi-course meals with a lineup of silverware are not his forte. Give Riggs a buffet and beer bar any time.
“I could teach him how to fork before Friday,” I offer, though that’s probably not as reassuring as I’d like it to be.
“Let me think about it,” Kayla says.
But I’m pretty sure she’s already made her decision. And while I should feel relieved, I feel… disappointed?
KAYLA
Iknew I wasn’t going to get away with delaying the inevitable until this weekend. The inevitable being the Harrington Inquisition, trademark pending. My brothers have never pulled the ‘protect our sister’ shit on me, mostly because I’d destroy them for even attempting it, but I’m not at all surprised when my doorbell rings Thursday night, ending the reprieve I milked for each and every moment I could.