Page 20 of Off The Ice

“Hockey,” she responded immediately, eyes still glued to the TV.

“What, is he in a community league or something?”

Maggie’s head snapped toward me, looking over in bewilderment before she burst into a fit of giggles.

“What?” she asked through laughter.

“What?” I echoed, confused about where the humor was in my question.

“Did you just ask if my brother, Liam Brynn, played community hockey?” Her laughter only grew as tears formed in her eyes.

I stared at her blankly, not really sure how to respond when I was clearly missing some important context.

“Cassie!” She gasped, startled when she realized I was completely out of the loop of whatever she thought I should know. “Are you serious right now?”

“Uh.” I stared at her guiltily, “yeah?”

“Liam plays center for the Harbor Wolves,” she said slowly as if talking through something with a small child. “I thought you knew.”

My face paled, and my eyes looked over the apartment in a new light. All those comments I’d made about how into hockey he was rang in my mind. Humiliation washed through me in waves.

“No, no, no.” I groaned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought you knew! Why do you think I invited you to all those hockey games?”

“We live in the city! Everyone goes to the Harbor Wolves games!” I said, frantically searching the cushions for my phone.

“This is too good.” Maggie snorted. “What are you doing?”

“Googling your brother!” I screeched as my thumbs typed his name into the search engine.

Sure enough, his face came up instantly. Pictures of him on the ice, in the locker room. Always decked out in the Harbor Wolves uniform and hockey gear. I couldn’t believe it.

Stunned, I scrolled helplessly until articles were popping up about him, showing that not only was he a famous hockey player but apparently a highly sought-after one by women everywhere.

I could’ve guessed the latter just by looking at him. With his dark hair, tall stature, and those green eyes that felt borderline inappropriate to swoon over, considering Maggie had the same ones, I didn’t think I’d ever seen anyone more attractive.

But the hockey thing? That was definitely news to me.

“No wonder he likes his privacy!” I shouted. “He probably thinks I’m some crazy fan who’s trying to spy on him or something!”

“What…” Maggie said in a feigned voice, “Noooo.”

I raised my brow at her, fixing her with a stare.

“Okay, yes.” She sighed, coming clean. “That was the reason for his initial hesitation, but I wasn’t lying tonight. He really did want you to come back. Insisted on it, in fact.”

I found it hard to believe but didn’t say anything. I knew there was some element of him feeling sorry for me at play, but since I didn’t have any other viable options, it wasn’t worth talking about.

The night drew on, and nine o’clock turned to ten when Maggie stood to leave, asking if I’d be okay on my own. I assured her I would. I had myFriendswith me, after all. She smiled and told me she’d see me tomorrow and left.

Somewhere between episodes, I drifted off to sleep, right there on the couch, looking out at the comforting city lights that reminded me I wasn’t entirely alone in the world.

Chapter Eight

Liam

Drills had lasted for fucking ever on account of my shitty start to the night. Somehow, I managed to pull it together for the second half of practice, but even still, Coach really wanted to send the message home that half-hearted playing would not be tolerated.

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