23. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Cat

After washing my hands, I take a second to look myself over in the bathroom mirror, adjusting my light pink off-shoulder sweater before taming some fly-away strands. Not that they’ll stay in place long. My hair has a mind of its own, and it’s not one to be tamed by a few swipes of my fingers.

I’m really just stalling, trying to calm my rapid heartbeat. Wiping my sweaty palms against my jeans, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, the tension in my body easing a fraction.

Tonight is going to be fun. Everyone is going to love the party.

When I exit the bathroom and look around the large gathering area, the turnout to the team’s bonding night is already encouraging. The air is filled with the sounds of laughter, the hum of conversation, and the occasional shout from the go-kart track. Leo and I decided on Supercharged because it catered to everyone—the children and the grown-ass adult males who think they’re still kids.

“Get him, Clanton!” Nora yells, pointing at Smitty as some members of the team race around the go-kart track.

I swear my best friend is way too competitive for her own good. I walk over and sidle up beside her. “And why aren’t you out there?”

“Oh, I got next round. And I believe Ian is taking bets for a solo race with me racing against my fiancé.”

“No way am I missing that. Anyway, I’m going to check on Mason and Jake. They’re still in the trampoline area?”

She nods, her gaze never leaving the track. “Rosa’s sitting there with them. Some of the players’ wives are with her. Think Mykyta might be too.”

“Shit. I should go rescue him before she tries to cop a feel.”

Nora snorts, then eyes me. “Oh, because Mr. I’m-into-older-women would be sooo upset.” She turns her attention back to the track, leaning over the rails with a hand in the air. “Clanton, how are you falling behind! Oh my god!”

Oh, I definitely have to find Ian and get in on this bet. I pat her forearm, then head off toward the trampoline park area. The sound of bouncing and laughter grows louder as I approach. And of course, there is my grandmother sitting next to Mykyta, her hand resting on his arm as she talks animatedly.

When I asked Leo why they call him Mosquito, he said because the man is like an oversized child who is annoying as fuck and always chirping in everyone’s ear. But according to Wyatt, it was Mykyta himself who made the comparison, effectively picking his own nickname.

“And what are you two up to?” I say as I take a seat at the table.

Abuela smiles, patting Mykyta’s hand like he’s a dear old friend. “Just talking about this one’s love life. Giving him some advice.”

He clutches his chest as if he's been mortally wounded. “ I thought we were talking about Leo's love life, not mine.”

“My dear boy, you need to stop flirting with every girl you meet.”

“But where's the fun in that? Besides, I’m just trying to spread the love.” He winks, then takes a swig from his beer bottle.

I snort, rolling my eyes. “Spread the love? Is that what we’re calling STI’s now?”

He glares at me over his cup, but then his eyes go comically wide and he starts snapping his fingers at some of the players nearby. “Holy shit. Look who actually showed up.”

“Well, fuck me sideways.” Ian starts waving his arm in the air. “Morrow, over here.”

I look at the two, head slightly tilted. “Why are you two acting like a famous star just walked in?”

“Because Roan never shows up to anything. Doesn’t even go out to the bars with us after games. Or dinner. Not even to a pizza place,” Mykyta says as he stands and shakes hands with their teammate.

And now I can officially call this event a success.

“Hey,” Roan says softly, giving a small wave. “Thanks for inviting me.”

I return the wave. “You’re welcome.”

Some of the guys walk over and clap him on the back, and Roan’s shoulders gradually relax.

Leo comes up from behind me, shaking Roan’s hand. “Glad you made it.”

“And who is this handsome man?” My grandmother bats her eyelashes at Roan.

Bats. Her. Damn. Eyelashes.

My gaze bounces between the two and I swear I might actually commit murder if she chases away their one teammate who they are all excited showed up.

But before I can say anything, Mykyta playfully nudges her shoulder. “Am I not enough for you now?”

Abuela chuckles, patting his cheek. “Oh my, you’re a charmer. However, there’s room for more than just one handsome man in my life.”

He blows out a breath, trying to school his features. “I’m not the sharing type.”

I throw my hands up in the air as everyone chuckles at the show they’re putting on. But Leo places a palm on the small of my back, the warmth of his touch seeping through my sweater and grounding me in the moment. He leans in close to my ear, his breath tickling my skin. “You never know, maybe it’s not me who’ll convince her about the whole assisted living thing.”

“Don’t even start.”

I linger, watching my grandmother who looks so content. Carefree. She’s joking with Roan now, who’s taken a seat on the opposite side of her. My throat tightens at the sight of her so at ease, so alive, so opposite of what the doctor explained to me.

“Looks like we pulled it off.” Leo's deep voice rumbles from behind me as he surveys the room, a hint of pride in his eyes. His hand is still on my back, his thumb tracing small circles that send shivers down my spine.

I nudge him with my elbow. “We make a good team.”

“That we do.” Leo's hand finds mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in a way that feels natural. “Thank you. For all of this. For being here for the kids, for the team . . . for me.”

“You don't have to thank me.”

His lips quirk up into his signature almost-smile. “How ’bout a game of air hockey?”

“Sure.”

“You think you can beat me?” he says, his eyebrows arching with that familiar, teasing look in his eyes as we walk over to the game.

I roll my shoulders back, standing a little taller as I match his pace. “I know that I can beat you.”

“Looks like we’ve got another lovebird competition going on.” Ian smirks as he follows after us. “I’m betting Cat wins.”

My cheeks heat at his words and when my gaze darts to Leo’s, his jaw ticks, his face is also flushed, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.

I look over my shoulder, eyes narrowing on Ian. “You better bet on me. No way I’m letting this uptight asshole win.”

The answering growl from the six-foot-five, blond hockey player holding my hand has me smirking. “You and that damn mouth of yours, Hellcat. Call me an asshole again and we’ll have to correct your language.”

Heat pools low in my stomach, my pussy clenching at the possible promise of his words. I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Bring it on, Daddy.”

He stops short, eyes wide as he stares at me.

I let go of his hand and keep walking, flipping my hair over my shoulder with a smirk. Never been into the whole daddy thing, but I’m not above using a little bit of psychological warfare to win this game.

Yeah, I may be just as bad as Nora.

Leo and I get into position around the table, a crowd now forming around us. He turns on the air and we each pick up a mallet, and I grab the red puck. “Ready to lose, Sparkles. Oh, I know all about that nickname.”

His lip lifts in a snarl, eyes narrowed. But I catch the way the corner of his mouth also tries to pull up into a lopsided smile. “You’re more like a demon cat.”

“Come on, Cat. Kick my dad’s,” Stella turns and looks at her dad, “ass!”

“Stella!” Leo and I say at the same time.

She looks at me, her tiny fists planted on her hips, huffing like a miniature version of her father. “What? You need all the help you can get.”

The puck slides back and forth across the table, the clack against the surface echoing above the cheers and banter.

Leo grumbles after I score for the fifth time, his frustration evident in the way he shoots, sending the puck flying off the table. Again. Roan runs after it, his long strides making quick work of the distance, and gives it to me, winking at his captain.

“Is everyone against me?” Leo huffs.

A collective “Yes” rings out and I can’t help but laugh. So, the event seems to have turned into a bond with Cat and pick on Leo event. Thankfully, Leo is okay with it based off his giant grin.

“Oh. My. God. This chocolate cake is so good!”

I jerk my head toward Stella, who is shoving the biggest piece of cake into her mouth, frosting smeared all over her lips. “Stella! That is supposed to be for later. I can’t believe—”

“Score!” Leo shouts, his voice triumphant as he finally manages to get one past me.

She waves, each finger curling individually, her mouth still full of cake. “Can’t let Dad get beat too badly.”

I shake my head. That was no ruse because Stella has a cake addiction. I even found an empty plate under her bed last week. She can’t be trusted.

What am I going to do with her for Nora’s wedding?

The game finally comes to an end and I win by one point. Nora cozies up to me as we head over to grab some drinks, her arm looping through mine. “You two seem cozy.”

“We haven’t talked yet. Outside of him telling me your fiancé punched him in the face.”

She shrugs. “You know you’re like a sister to him. Get used to it.”

Warmth fills my chest. When they got engaged, I was worried I’d be losing my best friend again. But instead, I’ve apparently gained an immature, annoying brother. And I couldn’t be happier, even if I want to wring his neck every so often.

As the day winds down and people start leaving, I sit and look out over the room. Nora’s and Wyatt’s race was a hit no one could’ve expected, and I think my best friend may be sleeping on the couch tonight. What’s even funnier, it turns out Leo’s not the only Minotaur everyone bet against, most people picked Nora as the favorite to win.

Roan and Mykyta help my grandmother over to the main room before they take off, and the sight of her so happy brings tears to my eyes.

“You okay?” Leo's voice is soft as he comes to stand beside me.

I nod, wiping my eyes. “Yeah, just overwhelmed, I guess. In a good way.”