Off Limits Read Free

teachus.
    Daniel grabbed a big bag of potato chips and dumped them into a bowl, while Connor sliced rolls in half and Andrew set jars of pickles, mustard, and mayo on the counter.
    Okay, everybody was helping except Jon, who naturally wasn’t familiar with the kitchen and sat on a stool at the small island, a little apart from everyone, smiling faintly at the affectionate insults being tossed around.
    “For the love of goats, someone needs to change that music,” I said as the song shifted to David Bowie singing “Fame.”
    “This is a classic.” Mom frowned at me over the eyeglasses perched on the tip of her little nose.
    “Good song for a hotshot hockey star.” Connor smirked at Andrew. Andrew gave him the finger—with his back turned to Mom so she couldn’t see. Connor threw a bun at Andrew, who caughtit with flashy reflexes and a grin.
    “Hey, hey, no throwing food, boys.” Mom waved a hand.
    “Kind of hard to believe I’m sitting in a kitchen with an NHL player.” Jon leaned his elbows on the island.
    “You a hockey fan?” Andrew asked casually.
    I sent Jon a curious glance as I separated some lettuce leaves. He wasn’t much into sports, although we’d gone to a Rangers game when he’d taken clientsout with the company tickets.
    “I watch some games,” Jon said. “You play for the Chicago Aces, right?”
    “Right. First season there.”
    “That was a good game last night,” Connor said. “Volkov should’ve gotten a penalty for that hit on you in the third.”
    I hadn’t watched the game and I shot Andrew a glance. “What happened?”
    “Dirty hit from behind,” Connor answered for him. “Right on the numbers.Asshole.”
    “He is an asshole.” Andrew circled his shoulders and winced. “Still feeling that one. But I’m okay. It’ll be nice to have a few days off.”
    “How long do you have?” I set a stack of plates on the counter.
    “Next game’s on the twenty-seventh.”
    I nodded. We’d all come home a few days before Christmas. Jon and I were staying until the twenty-seventh, but I knew Daniel and Emily were leavingon December twenty-sixth.
    “Home game?” Jon asked.
    “Yeah. I’ve got a flight back that morning.”
    “You found a nice apartment to live in?” Mom asked. “We need to come visit you sometime.”
    “Mom. You won’t come to New York to see me. Why will you go to Chicago to see Andrew?” I was only half teasing.
    “We’ve seen your apartment.” Mom gave me a look over her glasses again. “We’ve never seen Andrew’s.He just moved there a few months ago.”
    “It’s okay.” Andrew flashed Mom a grin. “It’s in a safe neighborhood.”
    “Well, good.”
    As if a guy earning millions of dollars a year was going to end up living in some crappy apartment in a bad neighborhood. But it was nice that Mom cared.
    I knew how much that meant to Andrew.
    I bent my head and moved some forks around as a little lance of pain flashedthrough me.

Chapter 2
    Andrew
    I watched Jenna move to the fridge and stick her head inside as if she wanted to climb into it and hide. She was small enough that she could probably fit. But what was up with that?
    “Okay, everyone help yourselves,” Brenda said. “There’s turkey and ham and salami. Build yourself a sandwich. I’ve got a bunch of Christmas cookies and goodies for after.”
    “Did you make them, Mom?”Daniel asked with a smirk.
    “Ha. No. I bought them at the church bake sale.”
    Daniel grinned, knowing that would be the answer. We all knew that would be the answer. Brenda did not bake.
    I was still reeling from being introduced to Jenna’s boyfriend. What the fuck?
    This surprised me just because I didn’t realize she was seeing anyone. But I was fine with it. Really.
    Emily reappeared with Christopher,now wide awake, kicking his little legs in tiny black sweatpants. Hard to believe Daniel was a father. Wow. I liked kids, but babies scared the crap out of me. They were so small and helpless and