Page 128 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
“You got it.”
“How’s Theo?”
As I take a sip, I spot Theo near the pond playing with the kids from hockey camp. He laughs while darting around as they chase him.
I smile. “He’s great. Just finishing up camp for the day,” I say.
Since the end of hockey season, Theo and I resumed hockey camp with the kids. It’s summer, so we’ve shifted from cold weather activities to warm weather ones like hiking and swimming and outdoor games.
I ask Ingrid how decorating her new place in San Diego is coming along. While we chat, I get a text from Tyler.
Hey, is Tori dating anyone?
“That’s weird,” I mumble.
“What’s weird?”
“My brother Tyler just texted me asking if Tori is dating anyone.”
Ingrid gasps. “Wait! Do you think he’s finally going to ask her out?”
A pit forms in my stomach. The last thing sweet Tori deserves is to get strung along by my player older brother.
“He’d better not. For Tori’s sake, I mean.”
I frown at his text before typing a response.
No, she’s not. Why do you ask?
I see the text bubble appear, then disappear. Then nothing.
“Maybe he’s changed. Maybe he’s mature and sweet and romantic now,” Ingrid says.
“Ha. Fat chance.”
Instead of waiting for his reply, I shoot of a quick warning text.
If you’re thinking about asking Tori out, don’t. We both know you’re not exactly boyfriend-of-the-year material. She’s a sweetheart and doesn’t deserve to be strung along and ghosted, okay?
I notice Tyler leaves my text on “read.” I roll my eyes.
“God, I can’t stand my brother sometimes,” I mutter to Ingrid.
“Yeah, but he’s hot.”
I make a disgusted noise.
“Okay, okay, sorry.” She laughs. “I know how much it grosses you out when people go on about your hot brothers.”
“Yup. And if you do it again, I’m going to go on and on about how wildly sexy I think your cousin is—”
“Okay! Point taken,” Ingrid quickly says.
Just then Theo walks in with the kids. I tell Ingrid I’ll just be a minute. They all rush over to say hi and give me hugs.
“We missed you, Coach Maya!” Annabelle says.
“Yeah! How come you didn’t play tag with us?” Parker says.
