Page 148 of Need You to Choose Me

The familiar chillfrom the arena is a welcoming feeling that pebbles my arms as I scream at the top of my lungs alongside sixteen-thousand other fanatics. There are twelve seconds left in the final period, with a two-point lead in favor of the New York Rangers.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

The puck goes flying from Sebastian to Akira Mendall across the ice, right past the Bruins’ defense.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

My brother maneuvers skillfully around the other defenseman and sees Bodhi open on the right.

Four seconds.

Sebastian sends the puck over to the right winger at three seconds, where Bodhi takes his shot.

Two.

One.

The puck flies past the goaltender and into the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

“They’re moving on!” I scream at anybody who will listen, bouncing up and down before catapulting myself into Alex’s arms.

He easily catches me, spinning me once before setting me carefully onto the ground.

For a split second, I forgot he was here.

At my brother’s game.

Where the Rangers officially advanced to the Conference Finals.

I look up at Alex with a big smile on my face. He’s already watching me with those blue eyes that still do something to my heart. “You know what this means right?” I ask him.

His hands go to my hips. “What?”

“You’re going against each other in the finals,” I say, as if he doesn’t already know.

Sebastian against Alex.

Their rivalry continues.

His lips quick up. “So it would seem.”

My palms rest on either side of his chest. “Aren’t you going to ask who I’m cheering for?”

Alex shakes his head, squeezing his fingers into the fleshy part of my hips. “It doesn’t matter. Because not only do you work for the team now, but at the end of the day, you’re coming home withme.”

The smile on my face grows instantly.

He pecks my forehead. “Plus, I know better than to assume you won’t cheer for the Rangers even on the job,” he muses against my skin. “If today is any indication, you’ll be the loudest in the room.”

Pride swells in my chest. “I always am.”

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