Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“Yeah, you can be the hat. Eli picks a different piece every time and Mom is always the iron.”
He shows me how to race cars around his track and we get several going at the same time, testing out how long it takes them to crash into each other. When Blair calls up the stairs that breakfast is ready, Coop’s shoulders slump with disappointment.
I feel bad I can’t stay longer.
“Hey, I’ll come over again soon if it’s okay with your mom,” I say. “We’ll have a Monopoly night.”
“You promise?”
“I promise. As long as your mom’s okay with it.”
He smiles and says, “Okay.”
Before we get to the stairs to go down for breakfast, he takes my hand. I wasn’t expecting it, and it tugs at my heart. He’s a sweet kid. I wish I could blow off practice today, but that would be stupid when I’m trying to get them to offer me a contract.
Eli is at the kitchen table when we get there. Blair is pouring glasses of orange juice.
“Want some?” she asks me.
“No, thanks. Coffee’s good.”
She made cinnamon roll French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon. I sit down to home-cooked dinners at teammates’ homes sometimes, but it’s been a long time since I had a homemade breakfast.
“Everything’s great,” I say after a few bites.
“Mom, can Magnus come over for Monopoly night?” Coop asks.
She flicks her gaze to mine. “I don’t know if he has time for that, sweetie.”
“I do. Any night I don’t have a game.”
“Okay. We’ll compare schedules and plan it.”
“Yes!”
Coop can hardly keep himself still in his chair. He’s so busy chattering that he doesn’t get in much eating.
“Will you quiz me on spelling words, Mom?” Eli asks.
“How about as soon as I’m done with breakfast cleanup? We can snuggle in my bed and I’ll quiz you.”
Eli drops his brows. “I’m too old for snuggling.”
I’d happily take his place. Seeing her nurturing her boys is sexy as hell. We had chemistry last night, but I couldn’t make a move. I still can’t, and it’s frustrating as hell.
I haven’t dated in years, and when I did, there was never anyone like Blair. Just hearing her laugh makes me smile. And those bra straps are making me crazy.
If I could, I’d slide my hand around her waist and graze my fingertips beneath her shirt, very slowly moving higher. I imagine kissing her pretty pink lips, which now have a slight glaze of syrup.
I’ve pretty much done nothing but stare at her and finish my food when I glance at the clock and realize I have to go. I take my dishes over to the sink.
“I’d help with the dishes, but I can’t be late for practice,” I say. “I know Eli and Coop are responsible enough that they help with the dishes without even being asked.”
Blair laughs, covering it by clearing her throat. Coop is already halfway to the sink, carrying the half-empty platter of bacon.
“I’m not done yet!” Eli grumbles.
“Leave it for now,” Blair tells Coop gently. “But thank you for the effort.”
Coop throws his arms around my waist. “See you at practice, Coach. Or Monopoly night.”
I wrap my hand around the back of his head, the tug in my chest back. It makes sense that he thinks of me as a coach, since I help with the skills practice. Hearing it outside the rink makes me feel good in a way I can’t wrap my head around.
“Thanks for saving me from the hotel last night,” I say, looking at Blair. “And thanks for the delicious breakfast.”
“Why were you going to a hotel?” Eli asks.
“I live at a hotel.”
“No way!” Coop cries. “Mom, can he live here?”
Blair bursts out laughing right as I’m checking my phone. There’s a voicemail. I flip my phone open to see who I missed a call from.
Art. My agent.
“I have to hit it, guys. I’ll see you. And Coop, you can’t ask people to move in.”
“You can have Aunt Jules’s room. She’s never here.”
Blair just sighs. I’m sure she’ll have a talk with Coop when I’m gone.
“Bye, guys,” I say as I head out the door between the kitchen and the garage.
Blair meets me there, opening the garage door. Her eyes lock on mine and I try to read what hers are saying.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “For last night and this morning.”
“This is what happens when you share your dessert,” she says lightly.
“I’ll remember that.”
I want to kiss her. Even though I can’t have a relationship because of my contract situation, if her kids weren’t here, I’d kiss her until she had to pull away for air.
“Bye, Magnus.”
“Bye.”
I enjoy a couple more seconds of looking at her before she closes the door. I can’t stop smiling on the walk to the car, which is wild since we didn’t even kiss.
As soon as I start my car, I call Art back, putting the call on speakerphone.