Page 45 of Guarded Love

Isla's smile grows. "Oh, I definitely see things they'd die if they knew I noticed. Including their little rituals and stuff, but I’ll keep those quiet. For the article, though...I guess I will say it’s fascinating to watch how they are very much different people, but move as a unit. Does that make sense?”

“I understand what you’re saying, but can you please elaborate?”

Isla lowers her camera and looks at me. “They're so different in real life from one another. Knox is bad boy personified, Levi is the leader, Wilder is pure chaos, Asher is the backbone of the team, and Blaise is so precise that it hurts. But when they hit the ice, it's like they share one brain. They anticipate each other's movements before they happen."

I nod, scribbling her words in my notebook. This is exactly the kind of insight I was looking for.

"There was this moment last game," she continues, adjusting her lens again as the teams begin skating onto the ice. "Blaise didn't even look before making this ridiculous blind pass directly to Knox. Like he just knew exactly where Knox would be. That kind of connection is rare and I’ve photographed other sports games too.”

My pen pauses at Blaise's name, but I keep my face neutral. "That's good. Really good, actually."

"Thanks," Isla says, lifting her camera as the crowd roars for the starting lineup introductions. "I've been thinking about doing a photo essay on team dynamics for my final project next semester."

The announcer's voice flows through the speakers as she introduces the visiting team first. I use the moment to jot down a few more notes, trying to focus on the article and not on the way my stomach tightens when the announcer calls Blaise's name and number.

"Got any other insights for the article?" I ask Isla, dragging my attention back to my notebook.

She's about to answer when her phone buzzes. "Sorry, it's Bailey. I need to check this."

While Isla checks her message, I scan the rink, watching the players as they prepare for the game. I do my best to look anywhere but at Blaise, and I have to admit I fail several times. Their warmups are entertaining to say the least, and I’m slightly irritated when Isla’s voice directs my attention away from what is occurring in front of me.

"Shit," Isla mutters, looking up from her phone.

"What's wrong?"

"Bailey wants me to meet her near the media entrance after the game. Apparently there's someone she wants me to connect with about some content creators? I was hoping to just head back to my dorm and go to bed.”

“Why content creators?”

"Bailey's on some mission to boost our social media presence," Isla says, sounding less than thrilled. "We’ve been doing more on social media with short form content. It’s working, so they want to step it up a notch I guess."

"That makes sense," I say. Bailey is smart for pushing that angle. Sports content thrives on social media, especially hockey. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Isla shakes her head, already refocusing her camera as the players take their positions. "I'll handle it. Just another thing on my ever-growing to-do list."

The referee skates to center ice, puck in hand. Before I can stop myself, I’m leaning forward as the anticipation around what is about to go down increases. And just like that, the game begins.

I find myself tracking Knox and Blaise…the latter without meaning to. I pull out my phone to take a few pictures of Knoxfor my family. Mom and Abue would be proud that I showed up to a game without them trying to convince me to do so. Plus it forces me to only watch my older brother instead of following number thirty-three.

For someone who's supposedly been avoiding hockey, I'm weirdly invested in this game within minutes. The crowd's energy is infectious, and I find myself holding my breath when Knox takes a shot that pings off the crossbar.

"Damn it!" I mutter, surprising myself with how much I care.

Isla laughs without looking away from her viewfinder. "Don't worry, they'll get one soon. They always start a little slow."

She's right. Five minutes later, Levi threads a perfect pass to Asher who buries it in the net. The crowd erupts, and I'm on my feet before I realize what I'm doing. Isla's camera clicks rapidly beside me, capturing the celebration.

"Told you," she says with a grin.

The first period flies by, and I find myself actually enjoying the game. When Blaise absolutely levels an opposing player who was charging toward our goal, I catch myself nodding before remembering I'm supposed to be indifferent.

"That's going to make a great shot," Isla says, reviewing something on her camera. "Look at this."

She tilts the screen toward me, showing a perfectly timed photo of Blaise mid-hit, his expression intense and focused. Something twists in my stomach.

"Nice," I manage to say before looking away quickly. The last thing I want is for her to pick up on…anything.

The second period brings more intensity and stress for me. Knox scores on a breakaway that has the crowd losing their minds, and even I can't help but yell. My brother's celebration is pure joy, and I swear seeing him this happy almost brings tears to my eyes.

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