Page 70 of The Huckleberry Bookshop

“Was that Lonnie again?” Meddy asked, frowning at the player currently shaking off a hit while slowly skating back into position.

“Sure was,” Jenny confirmed.

“Mullens has been hitting him hard tonight,” Meddy said casually, making it clear she thought something was up between the two men.

“I haven’t seen this much fight in the team all season,” Jenny said, slurping on her tall drink of sweet tea. Her eyes cut toward the newly returned-to-play center, Dylan, as he glided onto the ice as though his ankle injury had never happened.

Fight was the right word. Athena wanted to scold Chad for being such a hotheaded goon. Either that or wrap her legs around him and kiss him hard for being protective or romantic or whatever he was trying to be. Because she knew these fights were for her. For the tears Lonnie had caused her to shed, and the fears he’d planted in her heart.

“Anyone need more popcorn?” she asked, feeling antsy. “Drinks? Hot dogs?”

“Sit.” Her sister grabbed her arm, holding her down. “You’ve already hit the concession twice.”

“Are you and Mullens finally dating?” Jenny asked. The group of women scanned the ice, searching for him.

At that moment, as though conjured, Chad skated past. He looked up, his eyes connecting with Athena’s and she felt the heat of their earlier kiss. He lifted a glove, pointing a finger at her while skating backward, eyes still on her, his slow smile warming her heart.

He would protect her. He had her back.

Man, he was sexy.

“You and Mullens?” Meddy cackled. “About freaking time.”

“Wait, though.” Jenny frowned. “Didn’t you call all hockey players heartbreakers?”

“They are,” she said breathlessly, unable to look away.

Her sister gasped as she spun to face Athena, clutching her arm. “He’s beating him up for you!”

“Who?” Cass asked, her eyes flitting over the ice in confusion.

“Nobody,” Athena told her.

“Didn’t you talk to Lonnie earlier?” Meddy demanded.

Athena kept her gaze lowered and focused on drinking her sweet tea.

“Something happened.”

“Nothing happened.”

“Tell me.”

Athena sighed and dropped her shoulders in defeat, knowing her sister wouldn’t let up until she had the truth. She whispered, “Chad saw me crying.”

Meddy gasped, half standing, her voice loud and clear. “Lonnie made you cry?” She immediately scanned the ice as though she planned to jump the barriers and fight Lonnie as well.

“No! Not like that. Sit.” She grabbed her sister. “I’m just tired and was feeling frustrated. And Banxie died.”

Meddy gave her a look filled with such sympathy a lump formed in Athena’s throat. Slinging an arm over her shoulders, her sister pulled her in for a quick half hug.

“I’m fine,” Athena said. “Really.”

Meddy’s eyes narrowed as though she was reading a truth meter. “And Mullens saw you crying.”

“Yes.”

“And now he’s being all protective.” Her lips curved up in a smile. “That’s really sexy, you know.”

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