Page 146 of Scoring Lessons

“You know,” Kennedy began, as she faced us, “I’d like to think you guys ended up together thanks to my meddling.”

“So, I have you to thank for getting my best friend and sister together?” my brother grumbled as he dropped Captain Sushi on the floor. The cat went straight to Daisy and started pawing her face playfully. “How did I not know this?”

“You haven’t told him?” I asked Kennedy, and when she shook her head, I barked a laugh. “Maybe it’s better if you don’t.” But with how much my brother made my life hell when I dated in high school, maybe this was karma catching up to him.

“I support that. I don’t particularly want to be chased with a knife at our own home,” Wesley said.

“I want to know,” my brother insisted.

Kennedy arched a brow in my direction, and I nodded, giving her the go-ahead.

“Remember that hockey romance book you loved so much?”

Henry tilted his head. “I’ve read so many these past few months. You’ll need to be more specific.”

“How many?” Parker interrupted.

“Oh, dude.” My brother chuckled. “More than fifty. They’re a gateway drug, I’m telling you.”

Kennedy snapped her fingers, getting my brother’s attention again. “The first one you read.”

“Oh.” He reared back with a nod. “The one with the spicy list? Yeah. That one was amazing.”

Parker walked toward the knife set that was within reaching distance of my brother and slowly dragged it toward himself and hugged it like he was trying to protect it.

Henry shot him an eye roll.

“It’s best if I keep this close to me. Trust me.” Parker snickered.

“What did I just walk into?” Morgan asked as he strode into the kitchen with a bottle of wine, and Owens was right behind him with a sulking expression, which I knew had to do with Valentina, considering the wedding was next weekend and they still weren’t on speaking terms.

“Maybe he won’t get too mad now that there are so many witnesses?” I prompted.

Henry looked around the room, looking exasperated by the minute. “Can someone tell me what the hell am I missing?”

“Let’s just say that list was somewhat practiced by real people,” Parker said casually.

“Dude!” Wesley hissed as I let out a loud, full-belly laugh.

“I could use some popcorn right now,” Kennedy said as she looked through the pantry.

When the realization dawned on my brother, he let out an exaggerated gag as he took a step back. “I take it back. I don’t want to know.” He blocked his ears. “Nope. Nope. Nope.”

“But I already told you,” Parker said, trying his hardest not to laugh.

“That’s what you get for trying to meddle in my love life, brother.” I arched a brow. “I hope you learned your lesson.”

“Is this a good moment to also admit Henry adopted Captain Sushi the day before Kennedy moved in?” Wesley asked, tilting his head.

“What?!” Kennedy shouted then slapped Henry on the arm. “And you never told me?”

“Kenny baby⁠—”

“Do not Kenny baby me, Henry Anderson,” she reprimanded.

Parker and Morgan snickered at the way Kennedy crossed her arms and pinned Henry with a glare so intense, he knew he needed to run for his life.

“You”—my brother pointed at Wesley—“are dead meat, Wesley Bennett Hayes.”