Page 1 of The Puck Daddy

Chapter 1

Age Thirteen

Adrian

“Adrian! That old guy you’re crushing on is on TV again,” Felix calls out from the living room. A wide smile breaks across my face, and I sprint through the kitchen, socks sliding against the tile.

I dash into the living room, pick up a throw pillow, and chuck it at my brother before kneeling in front of the TV screen. “He isn’tthatold, Fe.”

“Um, yes, he is. He’s like double my age,” he mumbles. “Theo is like twenty-two or something.”

“Twenty-three,” I correct.

Mom chuckles behind me. “Honey, I don’t think you need to be that close to the screen to see him.”

“Shhh…” I hush them both, leaning even closer so I can hear what the announcer is saying. Mom laughs. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her reach for the remote. She turns up the volume just as Theo Walsh smiles at the camera for his post-game interview.

He runs a hand through his wavy redhockey hair. Ugh. He’s so hot.

“Mom! It’s too loud,” Felix whines. I roll my eyes and glance back at my eleven-year-old brother. He’s curled up with his book on the large brown recliner a few feet away. I notice the cover, and it’s no surprise he’s rereadingPercy Jackson. Again.

Mom gets off the sofa, walks over to Felix, and whispers something in his ear. He giggles and nods eagerly. Felix bounces on the chair and closes his book. I’m about to ask what they’re talking about when the interview starts.

My gaze yanks back to Theo on the screen. Several mics are in his face, and sweat is trickling down the side of his temple. Hockey gear is hung up behind him, and it’s obvious they’re in a locker room. God, I’d kill to be able to switch places with one of those guys who’re asking him questions.

Theo Walsh plays center for the Olivia Cove Wyverns, and he’s a big deal.A really big deal.He’s talented and motivated and absolutely breathtaking.Wait, breathtaking? Where the heck did that word come from?I bite my lip as my cheeks heat. I lean forward again, hoping my brother or mom don’t see me blushing like a freaking schoolgirl.

Theo oozes charm and confidence as he talks about their winning game. At one point, the stupid media person asks him an invasive question about his romantic life, and jealousy swirls in my stomach. Theo easily dodges the question and starts talking about the game again. When an uncomfortable question is asked about how his knee is doing after last year’s injury and if it was too soon to be back on the ice, Theo’s reply comes easily. “Hockey is in my blood. A little injury can’t keep me off the ice for long.”

I grin.

Hockey is in my blood.

God. He’s so cool. That’s exactly how I feel about hockey, too.

I’ve always had a thing for him, ever since my mom took us to a meet-and-greet over at Brynn University last year. I had no idea that Theo-freaking-Walsh attended school in my hometown. And the first time he’d aimed that charming smile my way, I was star-struck. Sure, he was probably looking at some rando behind me, but I like to pretend he was talking to only me. Mom and I got to listen to him talk about his dedication to the game,his experience attending school at Brynn U and playing for their hockey team, and the importance of following our dreams.

It was that night I realized I wanted to be a center, like him. That I’d do everything in my power to focus on hockey and hone my skills on the ice. I want to play hockey for Olivia Cove in the NHL, too. Later that night, I secretly dreamed of kissing Theo; with his cocky smile and bright blue eyes. And for several nights after that, I thought that maybe someday, if I ever got the chance, I could possibly make all those dreams come true.

I must have been sitting there for a while, just staring at the TV as I spaced out, because I didn’t even realize the interview was over. Mom must have paused it on Theo’s face, because I was just silently staring at that gorgeous frozen smile for god knew how long.

A flash of light snaps me out of my daydreams of kissing the only man I’ve ever found attractive, because my little brother is suddenly giggling nonstop with Mom’s phone in front of my face.

Embarrassment and heat flood me. “What the hell? Did you just take a photo of me?” I screech.

“Language, Adrian,” Mom says.

Felix cackles and tosses the phone at Mom before bolting outside. I growl and take off after him. He’s on the lawn, giggling uncontrollably, hands on his knees and breathing hard. I can’t help but smile. I love my brother. He’s always so shy andreserved, so when he opens up like this, it’s almost as if he’s blessing us with a rare gift.

I rush forward and wrap my arms around his waist. Maybe it’s all the training I’ve been doing over the past year on the ice, or maybe it’s just because my brother is that tiny, but I lift him easily. Felix laughs even harder and pounds his tiny fists against my back.

I slowly—and awkwardly—shuffle us toward the heated pool before tossing him into the deep end. He kicks his way to the surface and spits out water before laughing again. I toss my shirt over my head and jump in next to him. Next thing I know, Mom is by the edge of the pool and cannonballing into the water with a big splash.

Over the next twenty minutes, we playfully shove each other, splash around, and swim. Before long, Mom ushers us out of the pool with a promise of pizza and ice cream. The night goes by quickly with more smiles and delicious food. It’s easily one of the best days of my life.

If only I knew what the future held for us—and for Mom—then I would have savored every moment just a little longer.

Chapter 2

---