Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Somehow, without looking, I know he’s smiling.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Kason
I’ve lived outside Wisconsin for so long that even though I travel all over and occasionally experience frigid environments, I’m still shocked at how cold it is at home. We’re all bundled up, even in the house. The heater is on, but I also got the fireplace blazing, the sound of the wood crackling mixing in with our conversation.
Dad is the cook at home, and he’s been working on potato soup for dinner. We hang out, my family doing exactly what I knew they would and making Anthony feel welcome and like part of the family.
He seems to have gravitated to Aline, and I like watching them together—like watching him with all my family. He fits well, and the longer we’re here, the more I can see him relaxing into the Anthony he is when we’re alone, or the Anthony he is around Hayes and Donovan.
We eat an early dinner, together around the table, filled with the familiar laughter we always have when we’re together. We tease each other a lot, and Anthony falls right into place, giving as good as he gets.
“We’re still going ice-skating, right?” Court asks when the kitchen is all cleaned up.
Anthony freezes. “Excuse me, what?”
I chuckle. “It’s a tradition. We always go ice-skating together when I come home.”
“Are they aware this is what you do for a living?” he teases.
“I think they all know.”
“I’ve never ice-skated before.”
I wrap an arm around him and brush my nose against his. “I’ll teach you. I’ll hold your hand the whole time. You’ll be able to say Kason Maddox taught you how to skate. Not many people can brag about that.”
“You taught me,” Court teases.
“Me too,” Aline adds.
I pull away from him. “Gee, thanks, guys. I’m trying to score points with my man.”
“And now you look like a nice guy who spends his time teaching others your talents. That makes you look good,” Court argues.
“It is sweet,” Anthony adds. “You won’t let me fall?”
“Never.”
“You let me fall!” My sister pouts.
“That’s because you’re my bratty sister and not my boyfriend.”
Everyone laughs, and Mom adds, “He’s a very good teacher.”
“I trust him.” Anthony looks at me, his gaze holding fast on mine, telling me he’s talking about more than skating. He’s reminding me that him being here with me means he trusts me, and nothing feels as good as that. There’s nothing I won’t do to hold on to it forever.
My sister claps her hands together, breaking the moment. I wink at Anthony, who gives me a small grin.
We get ready, and then Ant and I ride with my parents, Court and Aline taking their own car, as they’ll go home afterward.
“Does your family live in California too?” Mom asks as we’re driving to the outdoor rink. I know she’s just making conversation, wanting to get to know Anthony, but I wish she’d asked a different question. Reaching over, I place my hand on his thigh.
“No, ma’am. I don’t really have any family. I never knew my father, and my mom left when I was young. I have an uncle, but we’re not close.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”
“It’s okay. My life is now filled with the people who matter. My friends are my family…and Kason, of course. I’m lucky to have them.”
“Something tells me they’re lucky to have you too.” Mom gives him a smile over her shoulder. “And if you want, now you have us as well. We’re a loud bunch, but as loyal as they come. Once we claim you, you’re ours.”
I feel his grin from the seat beside me. “I like the sound of that,” Anthony answers.
Leaning over, mouth close to his ear, I whisper, “You’re mine, Anthony Damiani. There’s no going back now.”
And hopefully, he never wants to.
*
“You don’t have to worry about people bothering you here, do you?” Anthony asks as we sit on a bench, putting on our skates. It’s dark out, but the bright stadium lights keep the area illuminated for the evening skating.
“Once in a while, but not really. It’s one of my favorite things about being home. I don’t walk around LA worried about being accosted by people or photographers or anything, but it’s always in the back of my mind. It’s rare I get recognized, and if I do, mostly everyone just leaves me alone.”
He nods, watching me. I finish lacing my skates, then kneel in front of Anthony to lace his.
“I can do that,” he says.
“I know. I want to.” My family is already out on the ice, giving Anthony and me some time together, I think. “We need to make sure we protect these ankles. Can’t have my little dancer getting hurt.”
He smiles at me happily.
“You look cute in your huge jacket.” Before we left, we had to order warm winter gear for him online. Living in SoCal, Anthony didn’t have anything like that.