Beautiful Thing: A Small Town Best Friend's Brother Romance by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

Author:Cassie-Ann L. Miller [Miller, Cassie-Ann L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

31

LAYLA

It’s game day.

Ronan’s hockey team is playing in Sin Valley tonight. So the entire Brighton family made the 45-minute drive down from Starlight Falls to cheer on the Saints. And since Archer and I are, you know, ‘together’ now, I somehow found myself invited along for the ride.

I’m not complaining at all. I’ve tagged along with Karli to plenty of other hockey games in the past. But that was all before Sky was born. With Razor being as unreliable as he is and my babysitters always flaking on me, I haven’t been to a hockey game in forever.

But tonight, I’m here with my baby boy. Just like the rest of the Brightons, Sky and I are both decked out in the team jerseys Archer bought us. It’s truly a family affair.

Just before the official start of the game, Darius and Nicky say their goodbyes. Technically, they’re working tonight.

Darius is part-owner of the Saints with his business investor buddies. Nicky works for the team’s PR department. So they both head up to one of the executive suites where various other members of the Saints organization will be enjoying the match. Meanwhile, the rest of us stay here in the stands and we have a whole section to ourselves.

I’d been worried about bringing Sky to his first hockey game, but Archer’s family is making sure he has a great time.

All night, Archer’s mother has been carrying Sky around like he’s her own grandchild. It tugs at my heart in the best of ways. She’s got my wiggly son on her lap, doting on him and making sure he’s set up with his snacks and his sippy cup. Even when other family members steal him away, the next time I glance over, I find him safely tucked back into Mrs. Brighton’s arms.

Dr. Brighton bought Sky a button that says, My first Sin Valley Saints hockey game! and Darius even got him little ear protectors to keep him safe from the loud arena volume. Felix, Mason and Nolan have been trying to teach my son the rules of hockey all evening, and it’s been going hilariously wrong.

They eventually give up on trying to teach Sky what a goal is, so instead, they’ve taught him to cheer whenever a hockey player gets thrown into the boards. Stella finds the whole thing hilarious. Now I’m afraid the Brightons have turned my innocent baby into a violence-loving, hockey fiend. But Sky’s having a blast, and that’s what matters most to me.

When the players hit the ice, everyone is fully concentrated on the game, rooting for a win for the Saints.

During the first intermission, Nolan, Felix and Mason find their way to the ice, looking downright ridiculous as they compete against a bunch of little kids in some sort of musical chairs activity. I look on, laughing and sipping on a spiced caramel apple cider with Daphne and Karli. All of us girls huddle together, chatting about the wedding that’s just around the corner.

But as soon as the game resumes, we’re all back to heckling the other team and making fun of their creepy mascot.

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