Breakneck Hockey (Heartbreak Hockey #3)

24. A Very Meyer Christmas

Chapter 24

A Very Meyer Christmas

Casey

I don’t mean to catch Sutter’s eyes from across the room, but I fucking do, and they collide like we’re the star-crossed lovers in every old-timey movie. I will not pine for Sutter who’s only across the damn room. I can sit myself in his lap if I want.

I just don’t want to.

No, I’m a liar. I do, but I won’t. It’s bad enough that he’s here.

We’re having a Very Meyer Christmas this year and the entire world is here. Every Meyer—there are too many of them to list. Then there are the newlyweds, Logan and Rhett—still wrapping my head around that whole fiasco. Seems like there’s a new fiasco every few months, but it led to Mercy’s new coaching position with Rhett and Jack’s team, so all’s well that ends well and shit.

Even Jack’s dads and brothers are here—here being Mercy Meyer’s home in the Southlands of Vancouver. Dirk, Dash, and my brother joined too, and we brought Charles, Stevie, and Mama West.

“I’ve been thinking long and hard about what I want you to get tattooed on your body,” Jack says.

“Huh?”

“Our bet. I considered cashing in tonight, but I’ll wait for one of you to make a declaration in whatever fucked up way Sutterchuck makes their declarations.”

There is so much wrong with all of that, I don’t know where to begin. “We’re not a couple, Jack.”

“Details. The way he’s looking at you— God —it’s giving me shivers.”

“Fuck off, dude.”

He doesn’t fuck off. He’s Jack and he’s gonna fuck with me. I can’t even moan and complain about it because I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to do the same.

“He’s still using you like a chew toy, I see,” he says, rubbing his thumb over Sutter’s favorite gnawing spot on my collarbone. He sucks me there so much, there’s gonna be a permanent stain one day.

“Aaaaand, got it. I know the tattoo.”

“What is it?”

“Not telling. I’m waiting for the declaration.”

“There isn’t gonna be a declaration. We don’t do that shit.” If Sutter and I do end up as boyfriends, which is a big fucking if, we’ll be on our deathbeds still in denial over it.

“Nah. You’re wrong. There’s gonna be a declaration. There’s always a declaration.” He plants a wet kiss on my cheek and moves on, but it’s too late. Sutter’s already up and on his way over.

Possessive bastard.

But now I’m the one with shivers.

“What the fuck was that?” he growls into my ear.

I roll my eyes but allow his beast-like arm around my shoulders. He hops onto the kitchen counter, dragging me between his thick legs backward, surrounding me with his smoky aftershave. Ugh, now I just wanna rub myself on him. He drops his arms so they’re hugging my collarbone and he can rest his lips on my neck to stake his claim.

His face lies against my hat, which is actually Jack’s hat. I’m seeing how long it takes for Sutter to notice. Merc noticed right away and while he gave us—me and Jack—dirty looks, he didn’t do anything about it. I have a feeling Sutter will do something about it.

If he ever notices.

“He’s under the radical illusion that we’re going to declare ourselves.” I’m not going anywhere trapped as I am, nor do I want to. I lean back, sinking into him.

“The only thing I’m declaring is my bare dick in your ass, kitten.” His teeth nip at my nape. “Tell Jack to keep his fucking lips and fingers off you, or I will.”

That does all kinds of things to my insides.

Logan and Rhett breeze in the door, bringing the chill air with them. Rhett insisted they needed to watch the snow from the deck. Theo races toward Rhett and jumps. Rhett’s arms are out just in time to catch him.

“What mischief are you up to?” Rhett says.

“Nothin’. You promised we could play Uno.”

“Alright. Get the cards. I’ll partake in that forsaken sport with you for a little while.”

“Yay!” Theo’s feet pound through the kitchen and into the living room.

“Uno’s a card game, not a sport, Rhett,” Sutter corrects.

“You’ve never played it with a Meyer.”

“Sounds fun, actually. Deal us in,” I say, speaking on behalf of Sutter.

“What are you making me do, Alderchuck?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. But if the way Meyers play Monopoly is anything to go by, this could turn into a bloodbath.”

Rhett’s unusually good at dealing with the over-exuberant Theo Meyer. Little Lorelei joins us, making a home as close to Rhett as possible. It’s a good thing Theo’s not twenty-one. I could see him counting cards in Vegas. He’s somehow able to work out what each of us has in our hands. He forms an alliance with Rhett, who’s quick to pull Sutter with them, and I’m the one picking up never-ending amounts of cards.

“That’s a twelve-card pick-up for you, Alderchuck,” Sutter says.

“I can count, asshole.”

“Language,” Rhett says, full smirk on.

“Theo has more of a potty mouth than I do,” I say, drawing endless cards. I’m going to lose this hand. I hate losing to Sutter.

“You’re going to have to start watching your mouth if you want to adopt those children into your lives,” Rhett says.

I laugh. Hard. “Is that a serious statement? I’m not adopting children.”

“What about you, Mitchell?”

“Actually, I was hoping for a favor,” Sutter says. “Have you spoken to your father lately, Elkington?”

Rhett and Logan exchange a look. “He’s attempted to get in touch,” Rhett says. “But I don’t know what to say to him. I need a little more cooling-off time.”

“I’m surprised you’d speak to him at all after what he did,” I say.

Rhett’s father did everything he could think of to keep him from Logan, including locking Rhett away in a “facility” for a week.

“In a way, I understand him,” Rhett says. “I would do anything for my family and my husband.”

Logan sits a little taller. Those two relish in that word. I swear they kept the marriage just so they could call each other husbands.

“Doesn’t mean I’m not pissed as hell at him,” Rhett adds.

I triumphantly slam a nice draw-four for Sutter onto the pile. “Are you two for real? He’s a crazy person. And you’re crazy for even thinking about asking for his help, Sutter. How can any of you trust he’ll do anything but what’s in his best interest?”

“We don’t,” Logan says. “But his broken heart’s been a good ally for us.”

Rhett nods, running an absent hand through Logan’s hair. “Partly my husband’s doing. Eddie leaving him was the catalyst for my father’s fortuitous turn in our favor, but Logan’s words swayed him.”

Oh, brother. “If you think so, Rhett. I think he knew he’d lost and ran with his tail between his legs so he could regroup and enact his next evil plan.”

“Elkingtons never lose. Uno,” Rhett says, waving his card for us.

“I’m tired of all the adult talk,” Theo says. “It’s boring.”

“You have to pretend you’re an adult, Theo. It’s part of the game,” Lorelei whispers.

“Yes, just for one more minute, little Meyer. What’s the favor you need, Mitch?” Rhett says.

It says just how deep their friendship runs if Rhett’s willing to consider speaking with his father for him.

“If Mama West needs some kind of care, I can pay for it, but assisted-care homes have long wait lists. Maybe he has an in with one in town?”

Rhett nods. “I’ll speak with him. He’s looking for a way to make amends. This can be his start.”

“That’s nice of you, baby,” Logan says with a kiss to Rhett’s cheek.

“Don’t speak so soon,” he says, placing his last card on the pile. “Remember what I said I want if I win this game? I intend to collect.”

A burst of red creeps across Logan’s cheeks. It must be really fucking kinky.