Page 107 of On the Breakaway

Before Katie can respond, Mason slams both hands onto the table. The sudden movement makes everyone jump.

“I’m going to play hockey next year.”

Jaxon immediately sits up straighter. “No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Dad said maybe.”

“He said next year.”

“Dad said maybe next year.”

Katie pinches the bridge of her nose, and I bite back a grin.

Jaxon points at me. “I already play hockey. I’m going to be good like you.”

Mason points to himself. “No, I’m going to be good.”

“Both of you can be good.”

Then they’re arguing about who gets to wear the number twelve like me.

Wyatt interrupts. “One of you can have my number.”

Both boys stop arguing, heads snapping toward him, before dissolving into another argument of who is going to play goalie like Uncle Wyatt.

Katie laughs and starts clearing the table. “Every single day.”

“You’re welcome.” Wyatt and I both mumble at the same time, amusement dancing between us.

I offer to clean up Lexie only to find that she has managed to get rice in places that shouldn’t be physically possible. Katie sends the boys into the backyard and puts Lexie down for her nap while Wyatt and I keep cleaning up.

We convene in the kitchen. I rinse plates while Katie loads the dishwasher and Wyatt dries whatever gets handed to him. The rhythm is familiar enough that conversation fills the space easily.

For a while, it’s harmless.

Jess’s latest family vacation disaster. Mom’s ongoing obsession with sending everyone articles about healthy cholesterol. Dad replying to our family text chain with random pictures of his lawn.

Then Katie ruins everything.

“Who’s your current lucky lady?”

Wyatt laughs into a dish towel.

I glare at him.

“Well?” Katie leans against the counter.

I shrug. “There isn’t one.”

The problem with growing up with three older sisters is that they all develop the supernatural ability to know when you’re lying.

“Interesting.”

“What is?”

“The fact that for years you couldn’t go six months without a girlfriend and now you’re acting like you’ve taken a vow of celibacy.”