Twenty-Two (Assassins Series Book 12) Read online

  “Right?” Fallon agreed with a nod. “Well, hopefully, he’ll be up and at it soon.”

  “I don’t know, Fal, I just don’t know.”

  “What does that mean?” Aiden asked. “Uncle Tate’s okay, isn’t he?”

  Audrey faked a grin. “Of course. Come here. You want a cupcake?”

  Aiden laughed. “You know, I’m seventeen, you can’t distract me— Whoa, are those cookie dough?”

  Audrey smiled happily at Fallon as she shook her head, and Aiden took the cupcake. “Come on, I’ll show you the cake for Stella, and your donuts are right there.”

  Aiden looked at the donuts. “Can I have one?”

  “Save one for your dad.”

  “Okay,” he said with a mouthful as she followed Audrey to the back.

  “Kid has a tapeworm, I swear. He’s always eating.”

  Audrey laughed. “He’s always been an eater. It’s not fair.”

  “Agreed.”

  As Fallon followed her into the kitchen, Audrey looked back at her sister. “I think he might have to retire.”

  “Who? What? Tate?” Fallon’s eyes widened. “Never.”

  “Yeah, he is grief-stricken about it and things are bad, but he can’t seem to get better. I don’t know. I told him he needs to decide.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, it’s not good. We’re fighting a lot, and he’s withdrawn because he feels like a failure. Shit’s so bad, he started to go see Wren Lemiere, the team’s therapist.”

  “Good for him,” Fallon said, exhaling hard. “I hate that for him, though.”

  Audrey nodded as she turned on her computer. “Me too. At least you don’t have to worry about that. Lucas’s got at least nine more years in him.”

  Fallon shot her sister a wry smile. “He creaks when he walks. I’m waiting for him to tell me he’s done.”

  “He won’t.”

  “I know, which makes me nervous.”

  “Yeah, but you know, Lucas would be okay. Tate…he’s not, and I just want my happy husband back. I’m worried he won’t be happy without hockey.”

  “No, he has you guys. He loves you three. So much.”

  “I know he does, and he is the best father ever. Sucky in the husband department right now, but I get it. We’ll be okay.”

  “You will,” she said, wrapping her arms around her sister. “Don’t worry.”

  “Thanks.” Audrey hugged Fallon back as the computer came on. “Okay, so here it is. The best Ariel cake for my niece.”

  Fallon grinned as she took in the perfect seven tiers of Ariel-themed cake. “She’ll flip her shit.”

  “That’s my goal.”

  “It’s perfect.”

  “Awesome,” she said, shutting her computer lid. “I’ll be over next Saturday morning to set everything up.”

  “Cool.” Fallon leaned her hip to the counter as she met her sister’s gaze. Audrey had changed so much over the years. She used to be obsessed with her weight. Now, she stayed healthy, even if she was rounder than she used to be. Kids would do that, though. One thing was for sure. Even with all the shit going on, Audrey had a grin on her face that Tate and the kids had put there. Her sister was complete, and like she’d said, she would be okay. Fallon just knew it. But Fallon was pretty sure she was going to have her own mini heart attack. “Aiden told me his coach said he could probably graduate early and that Bellevue might want him.”

  Audrey’s jaw dropped. “What?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What did you say?”

  “For him to talk to his father!”

  Audrey laughed. “Fallon.”

  “What?”

  “It would be great.”

  “He’s a baby.”

  “He’s seventeen. He’s a great kid. Smart and talented as hell.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t think I want him to do it.”

  “If it’s going to be what’s best for his career, then he has to, you know?”

  Biting her lip, Fallon nodded. “We’ll see what my husband says. If he can even move.”

  Audrey smiled. “He’s sore today?”

  “Yes, bless him. I don’t know if he’ll make through the whole series in one piece.”

  “He is old now.”

  “He isn’t a spring chicken, for sure.” Fallon grinned. “Except in the bedroom.”

  “Ew!”

  Fallow snorted as Audrey shook her head and then smiled. “I think they’re going to go the whole way. I feel it.”

  Fallon nodded. “I do too. Rumor is, Elli was in the locker room crying last night. She’s so emotional.”

  “Think she’s pregnant again?”

  Fallon laughed. “Lord, I hope not!”

  “Right? She’s already so damn busy.”

  “I know.” Fallon shook her head. “Are you going to Lucy’s baby shower next Sunday?”

  “Did you not check the group?”

  Fallon just looked at her. “Obviously not, Audrey.”

  “It’s been postponed until further notice.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of the play-offs.”

  “That’s dumb. Why plan it around the play-offs, then?”

  “I don’t have an answer for that, but they called me asking to hold off on the cake.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah. Which is good ’cause I can focus on Stella’s cake.”

  “This is true. Ariel needs all your attention anyway.”

  Audrey grinned as she leaned into her sister. “You know, you can come by more.”

  “Same for you. Or come to the winery, and I’ll get you drunk.”

  Audrey beamed. “That’s a plan.”

  “Mom! Let’s go! Penny is going to make me fat.”

  Penny’s giggles met them in the kitchen, and Fallon laughed. “Kid couldn’t get fat if he tried.”

  “Right?” Audrey asked, shaking her head. “And what’s up with his hair?”

  “I don’t know. I want to cut it, but he won’t let me.”

  Audrey laughed as they went out of the kitchen to find Penny feeding Aiden cookie after cookie. “Mom,” he whined, and Fallon laughed.

  “Hey, boogey butt—”

  “Audrey!” Aiden complained, and they all laughed since he hated his nickname. “I told you about calling me that.”

  She feigned hurt. “You are my baby, and I will call you that if I want. Even when you’re a big, hotshot hockey player, I’ll be in the stands hollering, ‘That’s my boogey butt!’”

  “Mom,” he groaned, and Fallon just kept laughing.

  “Anyway, if I throw gum in your hair, will you let me cut it?”

  He glared. “Stay away from me.”

  “It’s so long. And dirty,” Audrey said, coming toward him, and when Fallon saw the scissors in her hand, she tried to stifle her laughter.

  “I washed it like ten minutes ago!” he said, slowly stepping back from his aunt.

  “It’s ugly. Let me cut it.” She went for the bun, but he deked around her, running to Fallon and hiding behind her. Which was pointless since he was practically seven times her size.

  “Leave me alone! Mom! Tell her to leave me alone.”

  “We’re leaving.” Picking up the donuts…well, the three that were left, Fallon shook her head. “Bye, Penny loaf,” she called to Penelope.

  “Bye, Auntie!”

  “Bye,” Audrey sang. “I’ll get you later, Aiden James.”

  Going outside, Aiden looked over at Fallon. “You won’t let her cut my hair, right?”

  “I mean, if she gets to you before I do, I’m sorry for ya.”

  “I look amazing!”

  “You look like a damn fool,” she said, opening the door. “But I love you.”

  He shot her an exasperated look. “Do I really have to be Sebastian next weekend?”

  “No,” she laughed, shaking her head. “Asher is Sebastian. You’re Flounder.”

  “Mom!”

  With a grin o