Page 116 of My Brother's Teammates

Harrison glances to the ground before meeting my gaze. The hurt there is like a punch to my gut. “If you guys want to talk, I think I’m ready to listen.”

“I’m sorry.” I gesture to Roman and Mateo, keeping my eyes on Harrison and letting him see all the regret and the misery etched on my face. “We all are. None of us ever meant to hurt you. We fell for Charlotte hard and fast, and once we were in so deep, we didn’t know how to tell you. I was afraid I’d lose you forever.”

“You’re my brother, dumbass.” He shakes his head, closing his eyes for a moment. “Charlie told me you kissed her in high school. I just wish you would have told me. You deserve to be happy, even if that’s with my sister.” He pauses like it’s painful for him to admit it out loud. “All of you do, Charlie included. You know her dating history, Jace.”

He’s not wrong.

Before I can answer, he speaks again. “Any more secrets?”

Roman scratches his beard, his gaze lingering over Mateo before landing on Harrison. “It’s not really a secret, but Mateo and I are dating.”

Harrison looks between the two of them, his head bobbing. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah, I can see it.” He points to Mateo, flashing him a genuine smile. “Especially this guy.”

I can’t help but laugh.

Mateo didn’t surprise me either. It’s hard not to dissect things after you share a woman with your best friends. Even before Charlotte, I noticed Mateo’s eyes would linger on Roman a little too long. I’m not sure if he realized it, but I definitely picked up on some vibes.

Roman, on the other hand, seemed a little too in control. A little too boxed up.If I’m honest, finding out he was into men too didn’t surprise me either.

Mateo puffs up his chest, trying not to smile, but it’s unsuccessful. “Fuck you all. Why me?”

“Eh.” Harrison shrugs. “I got tied up outside the bar one night. You had stayed late, and I saw you leave with a couple. After that, I figured you swung both ways.”

Mateo goes back to the diagram, grumbling a few choice words, something that sounds suspiciously like fuck off.

“We’re trying to give her some time, but we want her back.” My voice cracks a little, and I clear my throat, the pressure building in my chest.

Roman squeezes my shoulder. “We’ll do whatever it takes. We’ll shield her from the media. We’ll keep her out of the public eye. Whatever she wants.”

“She’s a hockey fan.” Harrison shrugs, running a thumb along his jaw. “You might want to show her your commitment by winning a game. Tonight would be a good start.”

Harrison’s the first one to laugh, Roman and I joining him after a beat. We may not be where we were, but it’s a start, and I’m willing to put in the work to fix this friendship. He claps me on the back, and for the first time in weeks, the smile he gives me is genuine.

There’s still a big hole in my heart, but some of the weight is lifted from my shoulders, and I can stand a little easier, breathe a little deeper.

“Are we good?” Mateo turns his head, taking us all in.

Harrison nods to me and rests a hand on Roman’s back. “Yeah, man. We’re good.”

“Thank fuck.” Mateo huffs a laugh, swiftly moving past us to the door. He punches in a few numbers, pulls open the door, and turns back with a huge shit-eating grin. “Now we can get the fuck out of here.”

Roman crosses his arms. “How long have you had that code?”

Mateo leans against the doorway, mimicking Roman’s posture. “About twenty minutes.”

“You fucker.”

I run a hand down my face, and as much as I’d love to give him shit for keeping us in here, I’m pretty sure I owe him a gift instead. And not the kind of gifts he’s been leaving for Roman and me.

“What do you say, guys?” I glance between the three of them, a full-on smile spread across my face. “Do you want to win a hockey game?” And then my gaze volleys between Roman and Mateo. “We have a girl to get back.”

Harrison clears his throat. “Just remember, you assholes hurt my sister, and they’ll never find your bodies.”

FORTY-TWO

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