Page 31 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

If David has a response, I don’t hear it, and I don’t stick around long enough to wait for one.

Walkinguptotheplayers' entrance at the arena, I turn to wave at both David and Scarlett as they drive off. Rubbing my hands against my jeans, I take a deep breath. My heart is racing, and I feel like I’m walking down the red carpet for the first time as the lead actress inKiss Me Maybe?,the movie that put me on the A-list of actresses in Hollywood.

Tonight, I’m a bundle of nerves just like then, but instead of being in a formal gown with cameras all around me, I’m wearing Duncan’s jersey. I run a hand over the number on the front of my shirt, and my stomach erupts in flutters.

There is something about wearing the jersey of a man you’re dating. Apparently, it happens when you’re fake dating one too.

“Ava!” An enthusiastic voice calls from the door. “I’m Sandy Davidson, Tom Davidson’s wife. Duncan asked if I could come out and bring you in.”

We walk toward the door, and the security guard smiles at Sandy. His eyes widen when he looks at me, but he doesn’t say anything. I smile at him, and he nods.

Sandy slips her hand through my arm and pulls me into her, warmth radiating from her in waves. Immediately I feel my nerves starting to settle as she leans in close. She’s the type of person who makes everyone feel comfortable.

“First, I am ahugefan! I’ve seen every one of your movies,” she says excitedly before leaning closer and whispering. “Second, you’re the first girlfriend Duncan has ever had in the players' box.”

“Really?” I ask, unable to stop the grin that spreads across my face. “ I can’t believe that.”

“It’s true. Not for lack of opportunities, mind you. Everyone wants to date the ‘brooding goalie’ whose eyes radiate adoration every time he looks at his niece. That alone makes him pretty swoon-worthy in the hearts of every woman who’s witnessed it.” She giggles, winking at me.

“He is pretty amazing with her,” I say softly. “Scarlett knows exactly how to get past his gruff exterior.”

“You have the same effect on him,” she says, just as we reach the area of the arena we’re sitting in. “It was sweet how he wanted to ensure you weren’t left alone. He’s pretty smitten.”

My stomach swoops, and a swarm of butterflies takes hold at her words. I don’t have long to focus on what she just said because, just then, we arrive at our seats, and she starts to introduce me to all the women sitting around us. I sit down only to have the team song start playing as the Wolverines take the ice.

Leaning on the edge of my seat and watching the players, my senses are overloaded by all the activity in front of me—the sound of blades tearing up the ice against blaring 80’s music. The players move by so rapidly that my eyes don’t have enough time to process their shapes. But I’m not looking for someone who’s moving. I’m looking for the man who stands in front of the net.

Duncan glides over to the ‘basket,’ and once again, I’m amazed at how graceful he looks on the ice. I know it sounds strange because he’s so big and looks even bigger with all his padding, but his movement is effortless. I can’t drag my eyes away.

“Well, he’s not the only one smitten, I see,” Sandy whispers in my ear, a smile in her voice.

I nod in her direction, barely registering what she just said.

The pace of the game is swift and, once again, hard for me to follow. I miss my tutor, who is home waiting for Duncan’s secret signal.

The sound of sticks hitting the ice skates sliding back and forth and screeching to a halt. The slapping that sounds when the puck is hit or passed across the ice. The startling sound of the buzzer when someone scores has all of my senses being pulled in different directions. Despite that, my focus is on the only man I’m interested in.

When the siren goes off, calling the end of the third period, the stand erupts at a Wolverines victory. Like everyone else, I stand up and cheer.

Duncan had a fantastic game, blocking almost every shot taken, and I can’t help but wonder if Scarlett would approve.

“Your man was putting on a show for you tonight,” Sandy giggles, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and squeezing. “That was one of the best games he’s played since being traded to the team.”

“I was wondering what my niece would think. I assume it would be a yes.”

Sandy nods, then points to the ice. “Here he comes.”

I turn back toward the rink, and my gaze collides with Duncan’s. There’s no mistaking he’s looking directly at me. He skates next to where I am sitting, giving me a two-finger salute and a wink. The grin on his lips and the sparkle in his eyes have my heart hammering against my ribcage.

A grin spreads across my face so big that I can feel my cheeks strain—not to mention the heat leaving every limb in my body feeling like jelly.

So this is what it feels like to have Duncan James' sole focus on you. It’s not just intense; it’s like testing out a new ice cream flavor only to find that you never want to eat any other kind.

I’m already addicted.

Tea Time

HeyTeaLovers.

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