Page 11 of Pucking Off-Sides With My Brother's Best Friend

The front door opening snaps me to attention and I shake my head again as I hear footsteps coming down the hallway. The interruption seems to help Aurora snap out of it too becauseshe moves continuing down the hall toward her bedroom disappearing through the doorway, silent as a fucking field mouse.

I stand there for a moment, not sure if I’m dreaming. It seems like we just had a moment, but Aurora and I don’t have moments. We tolerate each other for Jax’s sake. I would protect her if needed, of course, but it stops there.

When Jax steps into the hallway, he pauses, cocking his eyebrow and giving me a once-over.

“Why are you just standing in the hallway half-ass naked?”

Not having an answer to that fair question, I shake my head and make my way to my own room. Jax’s footsteps are behind me, and I hope he doesn’t want to have an extended conversation. I’m still too twitchy from coming my brains out to the thought of his sister hanging from my dick, and I’m not sure if that thought is painted all over my fucking face.

“You still planning to join us for drinks tonight?” he asks, thankfully stopping at my doorway instead of just waltzing in. We talked about respecting privacy the first week I moved in, and despite Jax being a nosy fucker, he has been good about respecting that. “Coach said you were killing it during practice and deserved to take it easy before the season starts full speed.”

That has me turning around from where I’ve been digging in my drawer. “Really? He said that?”

Jax nods, looking sincere. I hope he isn’t just paying me lip service. Then again, he isn’t really the type to do that. If you’re playing like shit, he’s the type of guy to tell you.

“Seriously. You had left already, but we got to talking about how things were going, and he had nothing but praises for you. I said you were killing it, dude. I don’t know why you act like I’m lying all the fucking time.”

I shake my head. “It’s not that I think you’re lying. I’ve just been stuck in the minors for so long—“

“Were stuck. Were. You’re not anymore, so it’s time to start celebrating.” Jax’s enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself smiling. “Starting with drinks tonight. Get to know the guys more on a casual basis. Maybe Rogers isn’t a complete asshole with a beer in his hand.”

I snort. “Nah, he’s probably even more obnoxious when liquored up. But yeah, I’ll be there, so get the fuck out so I can get dressed.”

Jax gives me a wide smile and a thumbs-up before turning and heading back down the hallway.

I close the door behind him before tossing off my towel. My cock isn’t completely soft after the run-in with Aurora, but I ignore it and pull some boxers on. I have shit to do, and I need something to get my mind off of familiar plush lips and the sound of skin meeting skin.

But as I get dressed, this nagging feeling creeps up my spine like a cold finger.

It’s like I’m on the ice seconds before a big play. Everything’s lined up, but something’s off. The team, Aurora, my own fucked-up head - they’re all moving pieces, and I can’t read the game.

Damn. When did life get more complicated than a power play? Give me a 200-pound defenseman any day over... whatever this is. At least I know how to handle that. This? This is like trying to skate on thin ice. One wrong move and I’m under. Something’s gotta give. The question is, what’ll break first — the team or my resolve,

The real kicker? Part of me is itching to see what happens if I just... let it crack.

Chapter six

Aurora

I’ve always been ahomebody, but lately, it’s become more of a fortress than a comfort. Tonight, as I burrow deeper into my bed, Kat’s determined voice filters through my closed door. She’s on a mission to drag me out, and part of me knows I should go. After all, isn’t that what newly single people do? Go out, have fun, pretend their heart isn’t held together with duct tape and sheer stubbornness? But the thought of facing the world, of plastering on a smile and pretending I’m okay feels impossible

“Kat, I don’t want to go. “I plan on having a relaxing night in my bed, not dealing with crowds of people.”

Here I am, Aurora the Reluctant, being dragged out of my comfort zone by Hurricane Katarina… it’s exhausting.

“Oh, stop whining. Your bed will be here when you get back.”

Despite what she says, I’m not whining. I’m simply stating my boundary. A boundary that Katarina is clearly determined to ignore given the way she grabs my arm and pulls me out of bed before I can decline again. I go with the motion with a huff, letting it be known that I’m not pleased. So, I have been in a funk for the past couple of days. Who wouldn’t be after having to dodge their well-meaning mother’s phone calls? I love her to the moon and back, but I don’t want to talk about anything that starts with the letter ‘T.’

To make things worse, the conversation between me, Jax, and Aiden has continuously played out in my mind at the worst times. It’s like all the resistance I’ve built up is washed away, and I’m left feeling the same nauseating mix of pain and anger that I felt when we first split. I keep wondering if I got everything wrong. It’s the same question I ask myself every day since giving Turner back the ring. I gave him two chances, and both times he stomped all over them like they were nothing. Am I just a glutton for punishment?

I’ve always told myself that it’s ridiculous to hold onto grudges, especially if they happen in high school, but given the present events, now I’m not so sure.

“I’m not going to allow you to lay in bed and stew in your own juices,” Katarina says. She leaves me standing in the middle of my bedroom before walking into my closet. I hear her rummaging around, and I wince at the thought of my clothes winding up on the floor.

“I’m not stewing,” I counter. “I’m contemplating my life choices like any rational adult would.” That sounds a lot more mature, but based on the look Katarina gifts me when she sticks her head out of the closet, I know that she doesn’t understand the nuance of it.

“You’re not contemplating anything tonight. Tonight, we’re meeting your brother and that oh-so-juicy roommate at O’Keefe’s and having a couple of tequilas until you get to the point where you want to throw Turner’s stuff out on the lawn so we can burn it.”

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