Page 82 of My Rival for Christmas

I’m watching Paige as she skates around, more carefree than she’s been in years, when I feel a dark, looming presence nearby.

Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as Austin sidles up beside me. He’s freshly changed out of his hockey gear and back in his suit. But I’m not sure if it’s the tie or my presence that’s making his already surly expression more irate than usual as he glowers at me.

And let me tell you, his glare is a lot more intimidating than his sister’s. Nothing kitten-like about it.

But I’m probably one of the only people not put off by his hostile expressions.

I’m also one of the few people who know just how much of a secret softy he is.

“Good game tonight,” I tell him. His team had a shutout and he only got into a sort-of fight. I was expecting a bloodbath, honestly. To help him work out all the rage my presence has inspired.

Austin grunts, not caring for my compliment. “Paige says I can’t be mad at you anymore.”

He sounds not too pleased with that. He hasn’t been too pleased by my being here in general.

Paige didn’t tell her brother I was coming with her, so when we both showed up to his house, my arm slung around her elegant shoulders, he took one look at us and slammed the door.

Then reopened it to pull Paige inside before slamming it back in my face.

He also has me sleeping in his unfinished basement on an old futon I swear he’s had since college. The thing might be even more uncomfortable than my dad’s couch. Not that I’m there for long. Just until Paige texts me that it’s safe to come back up, and we spend the rest of the night being very, very quiet in her room.

I give him a sidelong glance. “Does that mean you’re gonna listen to her?”

“Nope.”

I chuckle. Not put off by his rough exterior or protective nature. If anything, it just makes me like him more. To know Paige always has someone in her corner. Someone besides me, of course, because now that she’s let me in, I’m making myself nice and comfortable.

“You should sound more concerned. I’ve sent bigger men than you to the hospital.”

“Too bad. I’m not. Just like I’m not above winning your forgiveness, too.”

“Good luck with that.” He grunts again. “Unlike my sister, you can’t win me over with orgasms.”

“Damn.” I snap my fingers. “There goes my plan. ”

Austin shakes his head at me, staring at the two most important people in his life skating around. This time with Clover chasing after Paige, both their cheeks plump from their joyous smiles.

“Just don’t hurt her, okay?” Austin orders, his voice not as gruff or as menacing as before. His eyes still trained on his sister and daughter. “Don’t break her heart again.”

I nod along to his words, a somber expression taking over my face. Showing him how serious I am when I say, “I would break my heart a thousand times over before I ever dreamed of hurting her again.”

Never again.

Tearing his gaze from the rink, Austin gives me a long stare, digesting my words and the truth behind them before he nods.

“Good.” He slaps my back with enough strength I jolt forward, my bones rattling from the force. “Let’s keep it that way.”

I cough, trying to ignore the fact that he almost just broke my spine. Fuck, he’s strong. I’m so glad I’m in figure skating and never have to face him on the ice. I’d just be sending the puck to him, protecting myself.

But I nod in agreement, knowing I’m never going to make the mistake I did two years ago again. Never going to let a moment go wasted, feelings go unheard.

I’ve lived that life before and I’m not going back. All I’m doing now is looking forward to the future with Paige. Always with Paige.

Noise draws our attention back to the rink as we hear Clover calling our names, clapping and waving her hands over her head, making sure she has our attention. “She’s going to do it, guys!” Her gap-tooth grin splits her face with the kind of energy only found in a child. “She’s going to jump!”

My shoulders pull back, snapping to attention as my hands grip the edge of the board in front of me. Eyes frantically looking around the rink until I find Paige. Standing across the ice, her gaze is already on me. Looking as relaxed and at peace as I’ve ever seen. Her hair is slicked back in a ponytail, a curtain of red behind her.

Are you sure?I mouth. She hasn’t attempted her triple toe since the day we got snowed in. Hasn’t touched the ice until this very moment, when Austin was able to pull strings that allowed us to get on after the game.

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