Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“He did not,” Barrett argues, disbelief etched on his features.
Sydney nods, laughter spilling out. “He did. He had to learn.”
“Why?” Barrett’s confusion is palpable, and I can’t help but chuckle silently alongside my brothers.
“Armed Forces Ball. He made us learn too. Said it would socially elevate us,” Sydney explains, grimacing at the memory.
“How wrong he was. The only way I’m elevated is if I climb the stepstool,” Luci jokes, and Syd bumps her shoulder playfully.
Luci scoops Cole up and twirls him around, and he leans his head against her chest, closing his eyes as she lays her head on top of his. The sight hits me like a punch to the gut, something shifting painfully within me. I shove the feeling aside, unable to confront those kinds of emotions.
Jackson
The change in Easton’s expression as Luci holds Cole is palpable. Kingston nudges me lightly, both of us observing our big brother as if he were thawing from an ice-cold shell. I decide to push him to acknowledge it. “Does something to you, doesn’t it?”
He shuts down quickly, but we’ve already seen it. I know my twin too well. “What do you mean?” he replies, feigning ignorance.
“Seeing her love him the way you do. That fierce tenderness written all over her face,” I explain, watching him closely.
His gaze flits back to her, emotions he tries to suppress forcing him to swallow hard.
Cole hears me, turning to yell our names. Luci gently sets him down, a hint of embarrassment crossing her features.
Easton catches him and carries him back into the room.
“Hey Barrett,” I say softly, noticing Sydney’s bright blue eyes swing to me. I lock eyes with her for a moment before reaching down to give Barrett a high five.
He whispers, “They are telling us how to dance with GIRLS.”
Laughter erupts around us. “It might come in handy. But not until you’re much older,” I reply, smiling.
“Thirty,” Sydney emphasizes again, a teasing tone in her voice. “His father is going to kill us.”
“I agree with thirty,” Easton adds dryly, trying to hide his discomfort.
“Do you dance with girls?” Barrett asks, struggling to mask his disdain. “Girls are trouble.”
Luci places her hand on her hip, a mock glare on her face. “Hey, watch it! Girl here, girl there. And we are fairly non-troublesome, I think.” She grins at him, and he looks down, sheepish.
“I forgot you’re a girl…” he mumbles, still avoiding eye contact.
“We know, we’re just Aunt Syd and Luci,” she rolls her eyes, smiling. “But that is how you dance with a lady.” She leans over, emphasizing the word ‘lady.’
“Here, we’ll show you,” I find myself offering, much to Easton’s surprise. He looks at me as if I’ve sprouted wings. I narrow my eyes at him, silently urging him to go along with it.
“May I?” I pretend to bow, extending my hand toward Sydney. A small smile forms on her lips.
“Yes, sir, you may,” she replies, taking my hand. I place my other hand on the side of her waist, and she mirrors my movements. Luci pushes a button on her phone, and a song by Hunter Hayes begins to play. I start to move, watching as Easton tentatively extends his hand to Luci, as if she were a venomous snake ready to strike.
Cole claps, giggling. “Daddy, you can dance like this?”
“I can. If Luci will let me, I’ll show you,” he replies reluctantly, the words leaving him with some effort. Luci steps closer, and he hesitantly touches her hand.
Sydney mutters a “hmmm” under her breath, and I keep quiet, observing the moment. Easton dances her around slowly, and Becker swoops in to grab Cole, skate-waltzing him in exaggerated circles. Their laughter fills the room with delight. The boys beg for “APT” again, and Luci rolls her eyes but obliges, shaking her head as she loses herself to the music, pretending to sing into an imaginary microphone. Cole begs to be picked up, and she lifts him, letting him pretend to sing along. Even Easton smiles as he watches them, a warmth spreading in the room.
Sydney joins in, much to Cole’s delight, her inhibitions melting away as she dances. I watch her closely, captivated by her carefree spirit. Kingston shows Barrett how to moonwalk, and of course, Cole has to join in, trying his hardest to imitate his big uncle.
Luci and Sydney surprise us all by taking off across the floor, dancing like experts. Becker whistles playfully before joining them, gliding across the floor in a few passes.
Barrett stands there, mouth agape, utterly astonished.
Luci reaches out and gently closes his mouth with one finger. “You had no idea your aunt and I have so many hidden talents, did you?”
“Not that they get us anywhere,” Sydney adds dryly, but I can’t help but think that they have our attention. Regret washes over me as I realize they have to leave thirty minutes later. The whole house comes alive with their presence.
Over the next week, it’s hard not to notice how Easton makes sure Luci stays until long after we get home. I’m pretty sure he listens to her putting Cole to bed, either through the connecting door or on the monitor in the game room. He seems to keep the monitor tucked into his waistband every night we visit. Becker tried to snag it last night, winking at Kingston and me, but Easton easily beat him to it. He waits to hit the punching bag until she leaves too. It’s clear he’s struggling, all because of one girl. At least that’s what the three of us are hoping.
Cole needs a real mom, not just the dream or illusion of one. And our Icebreaker needs to thaw out from the ice. As Kingston said, something will eventually convince him to cross the impasse between him and Luci. She’s sweet enough to heal him.
Easton