Consider Me (Playing For Keeps Book 1)

CARTER

I DON’T LIKE the way it smells in here. Sterile, like bleach. The hint of orange citrus is nice, I guess, refreshing. But it’s just too…clean. Not something to complain about, I suppose, but I’ve had lots of reminders lately that I’m hard to please. It’s cold and stuffy, not warm and homey like Hank’s apartment.

“You sure you wanna live here? It’s awfully…” My gaze sweeps the office. The walls are stark, with quotes about living life to the fullest and only being as old as you act. “White.”

“The color of the walls doesn’t bother me, Carter. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m blind as a damn bat.”

I huff a laugh, glancing at my friend. He’s enjoying the warm weather and being out of the hospital. He’s also enjoying my girlfriend’s hand in his, and I stifle a groan at the outfit he’s wearing: a pastel plaid short-sleeve button-up, tucked into beige cargo shorts hiked up nearly to his rib cage, with a hat on that says Carter Beckett’s #1 fan. The socks pulled three quarters of the way up to his knees are the cherry on top, but Hank insists he must look snazzy, and Olivia says that’s all that matters.

“You can stay with us a while longer until we find something better,” I offer, earning a pointed look from Sherry, the intake manager at Sunset Living, over the top of her computer screen.

I mean, Sunset Living? What kind of name is that? Makes it sound like they’re all halfway out the door. He took a bad tumble that required a week of bed rest and monitoring at the hospital, and he’s been sending me sneaky grins at the way Olivia’s been doting on him since we moved him into the house. This guy’s gonna outlive us all.

Hank’s chin hits his chest with a rumbling sigh that has Dublin leaping up with concern. “Carter, I love you, but you’re the pickiest damn man that’s ever walked this earth.”

Olivia does a piss-poor job of hiding her snicker, and I grumble under my breath. “I’m not picky; I want what’s best for you.” I flail a hand in Olivia’s direction. “And being picky paid off. I’ve got the hottest girl in the world sleeping in my bed every night.”

“I thought you weren’t picky?”

“I can assure you, Mr. Beckett,” Sherry starts, “Hank will be very well taken care of here. Sunset Living is the highest ranked assisted living facility in Vancouver. He got along well with the staff during his visit last week, even made a few friends with the residents already. Your mother was quite impressed with the facility.”

Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all already. I wasn’t allowed to come because I didn’t let us finish the tour of the first three places. Apparently, I have a nine-minute limit before I say nope and steer everyone out of the building. Mom said she was taking over the search, and everyone but me agreed. Naturally, they chose the next place on the list. I think Hank was just tired of searching. He thinks he’s a burden, imposing on me and Olivia.

He’s not, but how do you stop a person from thinking that? Olivia’s the one who’s had to take care of him the most since I’ve been in and out of town for the Conference Finals.

Which we won, by the way. In overtime. In game seven. Game one of the Stanley Cup Finals is tomorrow. I have every intention of bringing home that cup and making Olivia pose naked with it while I take a fuckton of pictures.

“All right, Mr. Beckett.” Sherry hands me a stack of papers and points with her pen to a list of dates. “This is our payment schedule. Payment is due on the first of every month. We require postdated checks or preauthorization for bank withdrawal. Which would you prefer?”

I notice the slight shake to Hank’s hands and the way he starts rubbing his palms over his shorts. This makes him uncomfortable, me paying. But for fuck’s sake, the guy gets a whopping seven hundred bucks every month from his pension, and I think the assisted living facilities that were in his price range gave my MacBook a virus when I checked out their websites. The decision was a no-brainer. He’s my family and he deserves the world; the least I can do is make sure he’s taken care of in a nice place.

I guess Sunset Living is that place.

“Check, please.” I take the checkbook and pen Olivia hands me from her purse. “Can I write one check for the whole year and pay upfront?”

Sherry’s jaw hangs and she blinks about twenty-five times. “That’s…unprecedented. Typically, month-by-month payment is our standard because we can never guarantee…” She trails off, gaze sliding to Hank, and he grins.

“I might be dead before the year’s up is what the nice lady’s trying to say, Carter.”

“Fucking—” I drop my forehead until it hits the white metal desk. “You are unreal, old man.”

When I’m finished signing all the paperwork and handing over six postdated checks for the remainder of the year, because nobody but me is buying that Hank is immortal, Sherry shows us to Hank’s private room. It’s large and spacious and…white.

“Can we paint?”

Olivia shoves her elbow into my waist. I suspect she was aiming for the rib cage, but she can’t reach that high.

I pat the wall. “What? I’m envisioning a Vipers-themed wall, all blue and green, maybe a mural of me with the cup overhead.”

“You’d have to win the cup first for that to happen.” Olivia gives me that tongue-in-cheek smile I love so much.

“Oh, I’m gonna win that fucking cup.” I brush my lips over her cheekbone. “And you know how people eat cereal outta it? I’m gonna eat your—”

“Carter!” She slaps a hand over my mouth.

I can’t tell if Sherry is uncomfortable or amused. Hank’s amused; he always is.

“You can paint,” Sherry starts slowly, probably scared of what I’m gonna paint. “But we require you to either paint it back to white or pay for us to do so at the end of the stay.”

“Tell ya what, son.” Hank claps a hand to my back, staring at the wall like he can see what I see. “You win that cup and I’ll let ya paint whatever the hell you want on my wall. You could paint a field of daisies and I wouldn’t know the damn difference.”

I pull open the sliding door off his balcony and step outside. There’s a small bistro table and a couple chairs. “Look at this, Hank. West facing. You can sit out here and enjoy the sunset.”

Chuckling, he swats my shoulder. “It’s quite a view, isn’t it?”

Olivia rolls her eyes and stalks off, muttering something about us being immature boys who’ll never grow up.

When we’re done, Sherry walks us downstairs, rubbing Hank’s arm. “Well, Hank, we sure are excited to have you join us next week. You seem to be quite the character and have a wonderful family. We think you’ll fit right in here.”

Okay, maybe she’s not so bad.

She fluffs Dublin’s ears. “And you, handsome. We can’t wait for you to come for visits!”

Hank stiffens for a moment before pulling on Dublin’s lead and Olivia’s hand, trying to tug them both away. “Okay-Sherry-thanks-bye!”

“Visits?” I chase after them, glancing back at Sherry. “What does she mean visits? Hank? Hank!”

For fuck’s sake, for a blind man with an injured knee, the guy sure can move.

“Hank.” With my hand on his arm, I stop him from getting in the car. “What is she talking about? Dublin’s going to live here with you, isn’t he?”

Olivia lightly shoves me with her hip, helping Hank into the back. He thanks her quietly and she pecks his cheek before asking me to get in. I don’t want to, but I do, because Olivia takes me by the hand and leads me to the driver’s side.

“What’s going on?” I ask, this time a little more gently.

“Well.” Hank wrings his hands as Dublin nudges his cheek. “Dogs are allowed to visit.”

“But…”

“But they aren’t allowed to stay.”

“What?” I’m yelling again. I twist in my seat and Olivia’s hand finds my thigh. “Why the hell not? You’re blind! You need him! They can’t do that!”

“Having pets as permanent residents are liabilities for nursing homes,” Olivia explains.

“You knew about this?”

“Your mom gave me a heads-up. We were going to talk to you about it tonight.” Her expression says she’s sorry she didn’t tell me right away. “The insurance policy to have pets is astronomical, and there are some people who don’t like—”

“Who wouldn’t like that face?” Still screaming. Also flailing. Dublin’s cocking his head to the side like he can’t believe someone wouldn’t like him. I suck in a breath meant to be calming. Not sure it works, but at least I’m no longer shouting. “Hank, you don’t have to live here. We’ll find somewhere else.”

“Carter, it’s quite common. Your mom looked into it. And besides—” he finds Dublin’s head, scratching, “—Dubs has taken a liking to having lots of space and a backyard these past couple weeks.” Dublin lays his head in Hank’s lap, and Hank gets this sad smile on his face. “Truth is, I’ll have plenty of help around the home. I can’t look after him on my own anymore, not the way he deserves.”

“But where will he go?” My chest hurts. I hate it.

Hank clears his throat. “You know I hate asking you for things, and you’re already doing so much for me. But Dublin, he means a lot to me. And Olivia’s moving in and, well…”

My eyes land on my girlfriend. She’s got that sad puppy look, one that looks pretty damn similar to what Dublin’s sporting, one that tells me how badly she wants me to say yes. “You want us to take Dublin?”

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble,” Hank clarifies. “And if it is, it’s no problem. Your mom said she would be happy to. I thought maybe, you’ve always wanted a dog, and you seem to love him so much.”

“I do,” I whisper. “I do love him.” I look to Olivia. It’s going to be her house as much as it is mine, and it’s our life. This isn’t a decision I can make on my own.

She lifts one shoulder, biting back her smile. “We have a big enough bed for a doggie or two.”

“You know,” Hank chuckles, ruffling Dublin’s fur. “He’s a half-assed guide dog, but he sure is a damn good friend.”

Reaching into the backseat, I give Hank’s hand a squeeze. “Dublin will always have a home with us.”

“Looks so homey.” Hank’s hands are on his hips as he pretends to look around his new room.

Emmett chuckles, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’re the fuckin’ best, Hank, I want you to know that.”

Adam steps away from the TV he’s just set down on the dresser as Garrett moves around him, Hank’s recliner in his arms. “You gonna listen to the game tomorrow night?”

“You kiddin’ me?” He plops down in his chair when Garrett leads him over to it. “Game six; wouldn’t miss it for the world. I don’t even shut the TV off when you guys are losing horribly.” His finger sweeps the room. “But you all better win and tie up this series. Bring it home for game seven and win it in your hometown.”

“That’s the plan. You’re gonna sit behind the bench with Ollie and my mom and sister.”

His eyes light. “And Cara? I love that feisty woman.”

“My feisty woman will be there.” Emmett sighs. “Probably be the loudest one in the whole damn arena.”

Once the guys head out, Hank, Dublin, and I relax on the balcony. It’s a beautiful day in Vancouver, all blue skies and sunshine, and it somehow gets a thousand times more beautiful when Olivia walks through the door with a huge smile that lights up all my insides.

“I brought lunch,” she exclaims, unpacking a big Greek salad and a few pita wraps. She digs around in her school bag, producing three bottles. “And iced tea!”

“My favorite,” Hank says as he wraps his hand around a bottle.

“Back off,” I tell him. “I know you’re talking about my girl and not the iced tea.”

He snickers into the bottle as Olivia unwraps his pita and places it in front of him. “Damn.”

“You’re an angel.” I press my lips to hers. “How much time you got?”

“Only twenty minutes if I want to get back in time for my next class.”

“I guess the real question is whether or not you want to.” I wag my brows, an invitation to ditch class.

“Only another week and a half.”

“Then I get you to myself for the whole summer.”

“Hate to tell ya, son,” Hank says, “but you gotta share her with the rest of us.”

“I don’t gotta do shit. I’ve been sharing her with a fuckload of horny teens all year. I’ve done my fair share.”

Hank smiles, eyes gleaming beneath the sun. “I can’t believe you two will officially be living together in a matter of days. I’m so happy you found each other.” He lays his hand on top of Olivia’s when she gives him a squeeze. “Are you sad to be saying good-bye to your house?”

Olivia thinks for a moment, chewing. Her eyes find mine and she smiles, shaking her head enthusiastically. “Honestly, no. I thought I might be, but the truth is it’s never felt like a home. I can’t wait to share a home with Carter.” She winks at me. “But mostly I can’t wait to have seven fireplaces.”

“Mhmm.” I reach under the table, slipping my hand beneath her skirt, petting her thigh. “Keep talking, Ollie girl.” I keep on my path but stop and make a face when I can’t get to where I’m going. “What the fuck is this?”

She shifts back, flashing me her toned legs beneath the army green skirt she’s sporting. “It’s a skort.”

“A skort? What the fuck is a skort?”

“A contraption for horny little shits like you.” She snickers to herself, smoothing the stretchy fabric. “A skirt with shorts underneath. Perfect for teaching gym class in the summer.”

“I don’t like it.” It’s not easily accessible. “Take it off.”

“I’m sure the boys would love that.” She tests me with an arched brow.

Fuck. “No. Keep it on.”

Hank sighs. “I’ve never felt blinder than I do right now.”

Olivia only eats half her pita, so when I’m done my two, I devour the rest of hers.

She slips her sandals off and wiggles her toes before pressing her bare foot against mine. “Your feet are massive.”

“Your feet are baby-sized,” I counter.

Her brows pull down, sassy, unimpressed frowny face in full effect.

“You know what they say about giant feet?” I whisper, kissing the corner of her mouth.

“Giant ego.”

“Giant dick,” Hank and I say together, earning an outraged gasp from my lovely lady.

“Honestly.” Olivia stands, gathering the garbage as she shakes her head. “It’s a wonder you two aren’t actually related.”

“Chances are your kids will be just like him,” Hank supplies.

“Great. Can’t wait.” She checks her watch, sighing. “I gotta get going.”

“I’ll walk you out,” I offer. “You up for a walk, Hank? The river’s just through the park down the street.”

He nods, and Dublin races to his side as he stands.

Outside, I watch Olivia swing herself up into the front seat of the truck with ease. She’s mastered it over the past few months.

“You know, for someone who put up such a fight about driving this thing in the first place, you sure seem to love it.” I make a show of looking around. “I don’t see any snow.”

She folds over the steering wheel, hugging it to her body. “I’ve grown accustomed to the power that comes with being up so high. I love her; don’t take her away from me.”

I’d never, of course. She let me fuck her in the backseat a few nights ago. I drove fifty minutes to the drive-in theater just for an excuse to do it.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I take her chin between my hands, kissing her perfect lips three times. “See you at home, pumpkin.”

Hank is quiet on the walk over to the park, which is how I know there’s something he wants to say. He proves me right the second his ass hits the bench at the edge of the river.

“You know, I always knew there was someone out there for you, but I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect match than that girl back there. You’re a teddy bear for Ollie.”

“I love her.” It might be my only excuse, but it’s a good one. She helped me become a person that I’m certain my dad would be proud of. I’m not sure I would’ve found that version of myself if she’d never come into my world and tested me.

“I know you do. There’s nothing more obvious in this world than how much you two love each other.” He runs a hand over his mouth. “So when you gonna ask that girl to marry you?”

I stare out at the crystal-clear water, the way the sun makes it sparkle. The hint of breeze makes it ripple, rushing slowly and quietly down the stream. “It’s soon.”

Hank tips his head back, chuckling. He clicks his tongue. “True love doesn’t wait for anything and it sure as hell doesn’t follow a timeline.”

My teeth find my bottom lip and I squash the urge to gnaw on it. “I never thought about marriage before Olivia.”

“But you think about it now. With her.”

Yeah. I do. All the time. “I can’t imagine my world without her in it.”

“That sounds a whole lot like a soon to me, son.”

Real soon.