Page 165 of Scarred

I watch my daughter hug Luna like she’s the best thing she’s ever had. My heart expands in my chest, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get over what I’m feeling now.

Luna sets down Scar and takes her hand, leading her over to where her nieces and nephews are.

“Don’t let her go, Cayden,” Mae says quietly by my side. “You’ve been sent something special, and this family is what you and Scar need.”

“You’re my family, too, Mae.” I glance down at the woman who’s single-handedly kept me from drowning these past three years.

“I know that,” she smiles. “And I know you have your parents, too, if you ever need them, but look at your daughter.” She nods in the direction of the children’s laughter.

I turn and watch Luna blow bubbles for the kids as they run and try to pop them. Noah’s daughter, Lily Anna, has Scarlett’s hand as she helps her chase the iridescent bubbles, her face full of joy.

“She has a yard full of people who showed up for her. They barely know her, yet you can already feel the love.”

Luna glances over at me from across the yard, and the love I see in her expression steals what’s left of my breath. She radiates happiness, and all I want is to build a future around that smile.

“I’m scared, Mae,” I say quietly, my throat feeling tight with emotions. “Scared that it might all go away again.”

“I know, dear,” she says, patting my arm. “The question you need to ask yourself, though, is what if it doesn’t.”

I stare out at Luna laughing with the kids, her smile carrying toward me like a warm breeze.

What if it doesn’t?

What if this is the one thing in life that I get to keep?

My chest tightens around the thought before I shove it back down where all the others live.

Mae’s eyes scan the room, and she smiles when she spots Luna’s grandma standing with her husband. She has a margarita in her hand and can’t be over five feet tall. “That must be Mimi that I’ve heard so much about. I’m going to go introduce myself. I can already tell from the drink in her hand that we are going to get along just fine.”

I chuckle as she walks over and starts talking like they’ve been best friends for years.

“Looks like Mimi found a new bestie,” Noah laughs, coming up to my side with Maverick as Travis appears behind him. He arrived at the same time I did with his three kids.

“I think you’re right.” I grin as Mimi makes her a drink behind the outdoor bar.

Maverick hands me a long neck, and I raise it to my lips. It’s ice cold and tastes like heaven in this heat. “Thanks,” I nod.

“So you and my baby sister, huh?” Noah eyes me as he takes a sip of beer.

We’ve been talking back and forth lately about the house, but it didn’t feel right to mention over the phone that I’m seeing his sister. I knew this talk was coming, and I wanted it to be in person. I guess now is as good a time as any.

“I would have told you sooner, but I had some…stuff to work through. I respect you and your family, and I didn’t want to drag you into anything until I was certain it was moving in the right direction,” I explain, eyeing the stance of the three guard dogs staring at me.

Any other guy would be intimidated as hell, especially Sophia’s husband, Travis, who’s eye level with me at six-foot-four with both arms covered in tattoos, but years in the NHL have prepared me.

“We’ve known for a while,” Travis says with a smirk. “Kind of hard to miss when Luna’s plastered all over the news outlets wearing your jersey while you kiss her at a press conference.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. It just kind of happened,” I say quietly. “I’m surprised you guys haven’t said anything until now.”

“Our wives made us swear to stay out of it until you both were ready to tell us,” Mav chuckles.

“As much as I like you, I have to get this off my chest,” Noah says, getting my attention. “I’ve seen how hockey players can be. You guys have women draping themselves over you in every city. If Luna’s just some girl you’re having fun with until the next one comes along, we’re going to have a problem.”

“She’s not,” I say firmly, “and I couldn't care less about other women. None of them matter. I’ve invited Luna into my home…into Scarlett’s life. Trust me, I don’t take that lightly.”

Travis’s grey eyes assess me as if he’s making sure I’m telling the truth. “I get it,” he says finally. “I was a single dad when I met Sophia and just as protective with Max.”

“So we’re good?” I ask, looking at Travis and Maverick before landing on Noah.