Page 55 of My Brother's Teammates

This isn’t going anywhere, I know it isn’t, but the yearning eagerness in Alec’s features is reflected in Harrison’s eyes as he widens them at me. “That sounds like a good idea, right, sis? Get some rest so you can go to the game tomorrow. Alec needs the rules explained to him.”

Alec hooks his thumb at Harrison but looks at me. “He’s not wrong. I’m clueless. I know it happens on ice, and there’s a rubber disc, not a ball, but beyond that…” He shrugs, a lopsided smile on his face.

This is the kind of guy I should be interested in. He’s nice, respectful, and things would be so much less complicated.

He’s… cute, but beyond that, still nothing.

There’s nothing feral, or consuming, or demanding about this guy. His kisses would probably be fine too, but they wouldn’t set my soul on fire. I deserve more than fine, right?

But Harrison tips his head in expectation. He really wants me to give this guy a chance, and as always, his dutiful sister, I won’t disappoint him. At least not this time.

“I’m good.” I dig my car keys out of my purse and jingle them. “I drove myself. Makes no sense for you to drive me, then my car will be here. Alec, you should stay. Kick Harrison’s ass at another game. He loves when that happens.” I nod emphatically. “He goes crazy nuts for losing.”

Alec grins, picking up a deck of cards from the pile of games. “Sounds like a plan.” He gives me a thumbs up, making me wince.

“See you tomorrow?” He shuffles the cards while Harrison gets to his feet to walk me out.

“You sure you’re okay?” He grabs my chin to make me look at him. It’s hard not to squirm under his assessing gaze, but I manage to nod, swallowing around the lies clogging my throat.

“See you at the game tomorrow.” I give him a weak smile before I’m out the door, where the relief of the weight falling from my shoulders lets me breathe a little deeper.

I take the long way back to the guys’ apartment, pausing before I open the door, taking a series of long, slow breaths to calm my skittish heart. The guys are not going to be happy, and they’ve had a few hours to stew on my blind date ambush.

My hands shake as I open the door. Stepping inside, the emptiness of the apartment hits me before the door swings shut behind me.

A quick search of the space confirms they’re not here. My heart sinks.

Are they out with someone else, too?

TWENTY

Charlotte

Watching an NHL home game is a sight to behold. From the smell of the popcorn and beer to the electricity crackling in the air, the excitement of everyone in the imposing arena to the impressive display of athleticism on the ice—there’s something for everyone.

So when Alec and I take our seats, arms laden with snacks and drinks, I’m one hundred percent sure he’s going to fucking love this game.

Kinda hoping he doesn’t, though, so I can tell Harrison that’s why it didn’t work. “But I couldn’t date your cute, nerdy friend, Harry. He didn’t like the game.” Shrugs.

Beer sloshes over the side of Alec’s cup as he plops onto the hard stadium chair. Harrison offered us box seats, but I’m not that kinda girl. Not usually an ‘up against the glass’ girl either, but to pop Alec’s hockey cherry, I figured we’d give him an up-close-and-personal view of the action.

The guys still have no idea I’m here. They left for the rink long before I got up, and Harrison has always said that when you’re on the ice, most of the time you tune out the people in the front row, screaming and banging on the glass. So as long as I keep a low profile, it’s clear sailing. I’ll be home before the guys know I was even out of Rapunzel’s luxury apartment-castle for a second date with Alec. Even if I’m usually at the games, they don’t need to know that Harrison had me come with his buddy.

It’s for the best. If they knew I was seeing this guy again, they might hop the Plexi and beat the crap out of him.

Or would they? We still haven’t talked, and they were gone when I got home… Have things changed?

As much as that might be a hot display of macho bravado to witness, there’d then be three dead Phantoms. Harrison would jump the glass behind them and kill them all for even thinking about me with no clothes on.

That’s way too much bloodshed for one night.

We’ll keep the blood spatter on the ice.

“So.” Alec’s voice pulls my attention back to him. “How long have you been a hockey fan?”

I got this question a lot from my colleagues in school. The assumption is that I only come to watch the NHL because my brother’s on the ice. Truth is, I’m probably a bigger hockey fan than he is.

“Harrison and I learned to skate before we could walk. We come from a big hockey family.”

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