Page 137 of Ethan

“So you’re going to pretend now that this is all because I should be a winger, and not because you want Max to stop guys from checking me too hard?” Ethan asked archly.

But Livvy just shrugged. “The best coaching decisions have multiple reasons behind them. Will Max protect you better? Sure. Will playing wing give you some more dimension as a player and give your team a better second line? Yep, also true.”

“And that’s why you’re so fucking good at your job,” Avery chimed in. He sipped his coffee, looking marginally more awake than he had ten minutes ago. “How’s it going for you, Liv?”

“Oh, you know. Fine.” Livvy waved a hand. Like it was no big deal to be slaying it like she was. Gorgeous and good at hockey and fucking brilliant, too. It was an embarrassment of riches. Nobody was cooler or smarter orbetterthan Livvy.

“Oh, yeah, just fine,” Avery said, chuckling darkly under his breath. “You’re not going to talk about it, then?”

“Talk about what?” she said, but Ethan was pretty sure she exchanged some kind of knowing glance with Avery.

“Okay,” Avery said. “I get it.”

“Getwhat?” Charlie wanted to know, because of course the worse thing in the universe would be a secret that Charlie didn’t know.

“It’s nothing,” Avery said dismissively, and Charlie made a face.

“Dude, not everything’s about you,” Ethan reminded his brother. “Livvy’s allowed to not tell us shit.”

She smiled. Reached over and patted Ethan on the head. “You’re a good guy, Eth. Next time bring Tuck, okay? I’ve heard so much about this guy, I want to meet him.”

“Oh he’s just your typical hockey guy,” Charlie said. Even though Hank wasvery muchnot the typical hockey guy.

Ethan bristled about it, but then Livvy only laughed. “Someday, kiddo, you’re gonna realize when Charlie’s riling you up on purpose.”

“Funny he manages to do it back just fine,” Charlie muttered. “No, but Hank’s cool. A good guy. A good d-man, too.”

“Agreed,” Avery said, even though he’d barely been around yet to know.

Still, Ethan was pleased his brothers liked his boyfriend, because if he had anything to say about it, Hank was going to be around for a very long time. Maybe even forever.

“Next time,” Ethan promised. He glanced at his phone on the table, nudging it so the screen lit up. “Shit, I gotta go soon. Hank’s taking me to the aquarium.”

“Aw,” Livvy said, a big smile breaking over her features. “That’s freaking adorable. And you really moved in with Hank?”

“Well, sort of. I moved a lot of my stuff to his room at Max’s. To give Avery a bed to sleep in,” Ethan explained.

Avery grunted under his breath.

“And how isthatgoing?” Livvy asked cheerfully.

Avery grunted again.

“I think that’s our oldest brother’s way of saying,living with Charlie sucks.”

Charlie made an outraged noise. “What? I’m fucking awesome, how can you evensaythat? Max says I would be theeasiestto live with, because I’m so tidy.”

“Oh, bro,” Avery said sympathetically.

“You’re all the worst,” Charlie bit off and stood suddenly, stomping off towards the front counter of the coffee shop.

“Where’s he going?” Livvy wondered.

“Probably to order coffee for his beloved,” Ethan said, “and speaking of that, I’m gonna go order something for Hank.”

He’d seen the place had these big delicious-looking breakfast sandwiches and had remembered something he’d never gotten to do.

Charlie was looking pissed off, standing in the line, and he shot Ethan a flat look when he approached.