Page 169

I shake my head, and he instantly stops.

Fuck. I love how submissive he is.

“Guys, this is Garrett. He’s a buddy of mine. We’re gonna work out this morning and then go for breakfast.”

Without overthinking it, I wave him over.

He drops down beside me, although he manages to leave a convincing amount of space between us.

“Hey, it’s so good to meet you. Cooper has told me quite a bit about you both.”

I appreciate the lie. We’re both aware that I barely say anything. I love that he’s making the effort to make them feel special, though. They deserve it.

They both look from Garrett to me, and then back to Garrett again.

“Do you work for the Vipers?” Huxley asks.

“Garrett is an analyst.”

Garrett’s glare burns into the side of my face as he hears the lie in my unspoken words. But I refuse to put any more detail to it than that. Plus, I truly believe that in a short time, he will hold the position. We just need to make it happen.

“Oh, wow. That’s so cool. I’m fascinated by all the information analysts can get from games and players’ performances,” Huxley says.

“Are you good at math?” Garrett asks, obviously sensing he might have a nerdy little friend.

“I’m okay. Ryker is better, though,” he says, turning the attention on our quiet little brother.

“It’s okay, Ry. Garrett is good people. Just be yourself,” I say, able to see the panic in his eyes.

He hates meeting new people because he thinks they’ll judge him for being quiet. But Garrett isn’t like that.

“I don’t care what anyone says; math is seriously cool. People tell me I’m a nerd because I love numbers, but I’m proud of being able to do things that others can’t. Just like you guys with hockey. I heard you had a game this morning; how’d it go?”

And that starts off the game analysis all over again.

It’s almost an hour later when we finally say goodbye and disconnect the call.

“I’m so sorry for walking in. I didn’t think.”

“It’s okay. I’m just glad you weren’t naked. Then they would have had questions.”

Garrett sniggers. “I mean, I did think about coming down and offering you breakfast,” he teases, wiggling his brows.

“You’re a nightmare. I think they liked you,” I say. “I’ve never introduced them to anyone before. That was kind of a big deal.”

“They’re awesome. And it’s so obvious how much they love you. You’re their hero.”

I shake my head. “I’m just their big brother.”

“Exactly. Their hero. Ryker was quiet. Is he anxious around new people?”

My chest tightens as I think about all the reasons Ryker doesn’t really talk.

“Yeah, that’s a part of it. He’s…been through some things.”

Garrett reaches out and takes my hand, sensing the weight of what I’m about to say.

“Their mom…she died in a car crash a couple years ago. Ryker was in the car. He got trapped and…” I blow out a breath. I never talk about this. Even thinking about what he’s been through wrecks me. “He’s struggled since. He doesn’t talk a lot. Spends a lot of time alone in his room. He has nightmares that take him right back to that night. It’s horrible.”