Butcher

Chapter 10

10

BUTCHER

I stepped out of the sleek black town car and felt the sweltering August heat immediately. I could have kicked my brother for getting married in Florida during the summer, but I understood, given our hockey schedule. Luckily, the promise of air conditioning at the luxury private estate where the wedding was being held would make the evening more bearable.

That was once we were finally inside.

The ceremony was being held in the garden, and then the reception was in the ballroom. The night before during the rehearsal dinner, I teased Dallas about fainting during his own wedding. We were used to being indoors and on ice, not outside in Florida during the summer.

As I approached the grand entrance, I was greeted with a cold glass of champagne. I grabbed it, took a sip of the tart alcohol, and walked toward where the signs pointed. Everywhere I turned, lavish floral arrangements of white roses decorated the area. It was clear money was no object, and I had to hand it to my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Tina, for spending every dime of her budget because everything was beautiful.

As I walked down the stairs and into the garden, I spotted some of Dallas’ hockey buddies scattered among the guests. Then my gaze landed on someone who made my breath catch because I wasn’t expecting him to be at the wedding.

Standing near the bar was Robbie Thornton. Seeing him brought back a rush of memories from our time at hockey camp. In the years since, I’d only seen him with his hockey gear on, but now his dark hair was neatly trimmed, and the tux he was wearing fit him perfectly. When he saw me, his face lit up with a smile and he waved me over.

“Robbie,” I greeted and embraced him with a bro hug. “It’s been a while.”

“Man, it’s great to see you. It’s been too long.” When we pulled back, he said, “This is my wife, Nicole. Nicole, this is Bu—Austin, an old friend from hockey camp.”

I was known as Butcher, but given my father and brother shared the same last name, it was bound to get confusing when we were all together. Robbie probably realized that or wanted his wife to know my first name instead.

Nicole extended her hand with a bright smile. “I know who you are. Congrats on winning the Cup.”

I shook her hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re even more handsome in person,” she gushed.

“Thank you.” I looked over at my old friend, raising my brow. He only smiled.

“Oh, my gosh. There’s Chelsea. I need to go say hi.” Nicole rushed off toward another hockey player’s wife.

“She thinks I’m handsome?” I chuckled.

“She has good taste. What can I say?” He lifted his flute to his lips.

“I guess that’s true.” I downed the rest of my champagne, placed the glass on the bar, and changed the subject. “I had no idea you stayed in touch with my brother.”

Robbie had been traded from the Panthers two years ago and I didn’t know he and Dallas remained close enough for my brother to invite him to his wedding.

“Unlike you, when we play against each other, your brother and I go out for a drink after the games to catch up.”

“That’s going to change since both of you are tied down now.” I smirked.

“Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in your voice?” Robbie teased.

I snorted a laugh. “Please. Things are so good right now. You have no idea.”

“Yeah?” He squeezed my shoulder. “Seeing someone serious?”

What I was experiencing with Kaylee and Sexton wasn’t serious, but we had been together more times than I had with anyone else, but I still said, “Nah. You know that’s not my style.”

Robbie took a step closer. “We have our secrets and let me fill you in on another one. Nicole knows I swing both ways and when we don’t have the kids, we like to look for some fun. You know what I mean?”

We stared into each other’s eyes and I knew exactly what he meant. “I do.”

“Think about it.” He winked and left as people started to take their seats.

I walked over to join my family in the front row, hugging my mother, my father, and then my sister. Glancing over my shoulder, I sought Robbie. He was whispering something into Nicole’s ear, and then her gaze met mine. She smiled, and I looked away.

If Robbie’s proposition had come before LA, I might have taken him up on his offer. But as I sat, waiting for my brother to stand at the altar, it didn’t feel right for me to be with anyone except Kaylee and Sexton.

My mother, who was sitting beside me, turned with a warm smile and said, “I always thought you’d be the first.”

“Why? Because I’m the oldest?” I rolled my eyes playfully.

“Exactly. You’ve been so busy with your career. Do you ever think about settling down? I mean, we all want to see you happy.”

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. Just because I wasn’t in a relationship with someone didn’t mean I wasn’t happy. How could I tell my parents I was involved with a man—a teammate—and a woman? “I guess I’ve been focusing on hockey and not really thinking about anything else.”

“It’s not just about settling down. It’s about finding someone who makes you want to be settled,” my father cut in, peering around my mother as he sat on her other side. “Your brother and Tina, they’ve found that, just like me and your mom.”

Paris elbowed me in the side as she sat next to me. “Yeah, Mom and Dad made it work, even with crazy hockey schedules and traveling. Just because you’re in the game doesn’t mean you can’t have a life outside it. Stop being such a grouch and open your heart.”

My mother nodded in agreement. “Your father and I built a family despite the demands of hockey. It didn’t stop us from making it work, and it shouldn’t stop you, either.”

I glared at my sister. “You’re one to talk. You’re not married.”

“I just graduated from college a few years ago.” She shook her head. “Plus, you’re like forty.”

My mouth fell open before I snapped, “I’m not forty, you little shit. You know that.”

“I’m teasing, but you are the oldest. It’s time to give mom grandkids.”

“Yes!” Mom beamed. “All of you need to start having babies.”

“Oh, Jesus. Will you two knock it off? And you”—I pointed a finger at my father—“you’re not helping.”

“Son, look around you. There are a ton of hockey players here with families. You make it work.”

Yeah, but the problem was: I didn’t want to settle down with just one person and my family had no idea I swung both ways.

My brother took his place at the altar, and I watched as he nervously adjusted his tie. He was stepping into a new chapter of his life. One that, for so long, I’d told myself I wasn’t ready for. Was I now? I’d always assumed I’d wait until after I retired, but was I wanting to be in a committed relationship? What if Sexton was traded after his contract ended? What if I was traded at the end of the season when my contract was up? What if only I was traded and Kaylee decided to stay in Boston with Sexton? Hell, what if neither of them wanted more than just the sex we were having? All these questions were why I never let myself get too attached to people, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be committed to Kaylee and Sexton.

As Dallas and Tina were exchanging vows, I thought about Kaylee and Sexton instead of the couple in front of me. They were my version of something real, something I had been hesitant fully to embrace. We had something good—something that made me laugh, something that felt like a genuine connection. For the first time, I looked forward to what lay ahead, and I pictured myself walking in Sexton’s door, seeing him and Kaylee waiting for me to get home from Florida.

As the night progressed, I felt a newfound clarity. I might have been hesitant before, but now, the idea of building something real with Kaylee and Sexton felt less like a leap and more like a natural next step.

One I was ready to take.