Page 39 of My Brother's Enemy
My throat had tightened in slight panic at the memory of being a hockey bitch for my brothers.
“Mal made sure I was aware that you wouldn’t be at the games when we play Montreal and Boston,” he added. “Both teams have a Connors playing for them.”
I had to turn away from the knowing look on his face.
“I have three girls. All three played hockey, and none of them played because I wanted them to. They took to the sport like blood-thirsty Amazonians, and they got that competitive streak from their mother. She was all-state in track two years in a row. I love my girls, all of them, and if any of them had wanted to play golf or be a mathlete, I would’ve been just as proud of them. So, if you ever want to talk, about anything, my door is open. And if not, that’s just fine too.” He patted my shoulder, starting down the hallway. “You have a good night, Rain. Do something fun to celebrate. We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”
I stood there in the hallway, my feet rooted and my legs going numb. He was almost to the door when I heard myself asking, my voice a little hoarse, “Was it my last name?”
He reached for the door but looked back.
I started after him, my feet stumbling. Cold sweat trickled down my spine. “Hockey’s a small world, but I didn’t think a last name would be that obvious. The Wolverines have two HenrikGustavson players. They aren’t related, but maybe I’m fooling myself.”
He shook his head. “I know a few other Connors in hockey, and none of them are related, so no, it wasn’t the last name. You’ve got the same slapshot as both your brothers.”
Humiliation burned through me. I should’ve known, should’ve thought of that.
He opened the door for us and stepped out first, giving my arm another pat as I moved past him. “Don’t beat yourself up. I’ve seen you skate twice now—against Brick the other day and back then with your brothers. I wouldn’t worry about anything.”
We fell in step as we moved toward the parking lot.
“Should I be expecting a call from Keith Connors if word gets out about you working with us?” Coach asked.
“No.” I shook my head. “He won’t call, but Daniel might. He won’t be happy about me being here.”
That was an understatement. Daniel would be livid. He’d probably try to get me fired—throw his weight around, make some threats. I’d heard him do it enough times in the past.
Coach grunted. “Got it.” We continued walking in silence until it was time to separate. “Never liked the eldest Connors boy. Always thought he had an attitude problem. Still do.” He gave me a last wave before heading to his vehicle.
That conversation had just about ended me, but I couldn’t stop smiling all the way to the hotel.
27
TYLER
Itried sending Rain another text, but she wasn’t responding. She wasn’t even reading them.
I tried again.
Tyler: You’re missing out. Brick does karaoke. He sang and Meester was his back-up dancer. What are you doing?
I was frustrated. I wanted to see her, but I also just wanted her here. With the team. She deserved to be a part of our celebration. She was part of the reason we won, and everyone knew it.
A twinge of alarm ran through me. We weren’t exclusive. We’d just hooked up. That was it, and I’d left before we had a conversation about anything. I hadn’t even considered having a discussion because this was hella early—and hella unheard of for me. But…what was she doing? Did she meet someone else for drinks? Was she with that person right now?
Kissing that person?
Maybe someone else was in her hotel room?
Jealousy, hot and bitter, burned inside of me.
I had never wanted to lock someone down so they could only see me, except for right now. I wanted to stake my claim all over Rain. I wanted to mark her so everyone would know she was taken, except I couldn’t because I was the idiot who’d decided to leave this morning without waking her up.
Stupid.
Bruge slid into the seat next to me, placing his beer on the table. Half the guys had gone home by now, and most of the remainder were starting to say their goodbyes. A few looked ready to stay as late as possible, but Bruge was married, so I was surprised he was still here.
“Hey, man.” I tipped my beer toward him.
