Page 41 of Sweet Redemption

Dad is probably having an orgasm over the potential for a spike in ticket sales.

“Serena.”

“Hmm?” I force my eyes from the ice back to Mom and watch her study me for a hot second.

“You disappeared there for a minute.”

“I didn’t,” I push back. “I was watching the game.”

Aurora and Saylor follow my line of sight toward the ice, then back to me.

I narrow my eyes in warning.

They’re bound to figure something out at some point. But that point absolutely does not need to be here and certainly doesn’t need to be now, if freaking ever.

My gaze unwillingly drifts back to Hendrix before I can stop myself.

He’s already on the bench. His helmet shoved slightly higher on his forehead as Uncle Jace, the assistant coach, talks to him.

“You know,” Mom interrupts me again. “I know Annabelle is thrilled to have Hendrix back home.”

“She is his mother,” I grumble, then fix my face. “I’m sure it’ll be good for all of them.”

“How’s he doing?” she asks, sipping her wine, and warning bells go off in my head. “You two used to be thick as thieves, but I don’t remember the last time I heard you mention him.”

Aurora chokes on a nacho, and Saylor smacks her back.

There’s no way they know.

We were careful.

For years.

And the only person I’ve spoken to about him since he’s come back is Olivia.

“Umm . . . He’s fine.” I mean, that might not be a lie. He’s back in his hometown with his family, playing for a team he loves. He might be fine.

Yeah . . . even I don’t believe that.

“Have you spoken to him?” Mom pushes, and my stomach drops.

“I ran into him at The Busy Bee. He seemed fine.” Especially compared to me.

Aurora sighs, an evil glint in her eyes. “How does he look? He’s always been the hottest Sinclair brother.”

And I’m going to kill my cousin. Slowly. With tiny cuts and a lot of alcohol.

My focus drops back to the ice.

“That good, huh?” Saylor asks, a pursed-lipped smile pressed on her face. “You should totally nail that.”

“Saylor,” Mom gasps, then shrugs like she’s thinking about it.

Oh, fuck me. “Mother.”

“I mean you always had a thing for him,” Aurora adds like she has no clue how close she is to being tortured.

“Ha.” Mom grins. “I knew it, and I agree.” Her eyes widen like she’s just realizing what she said. “Wait. Not to the nailing part. But Annabelle and I always thought you two would be sweet together.”