Page 35 of Slap Shot at a Second Chance

“You like her that much?” he asked and the guilt was creeping in as I stared into the same eyes of the person I had fallen for her.

Brian is going to hate me.

But if I was genuine right now, maybe then he would understand that these feelings had developed naturally on their own and that I didn’t mean for it to happen. Maybe he would see just how much I liked her and he would accept us?Accept me?

“Yeah, I like her a lot,” I answered earnestly, even though I felt guilty for going behind his back. I could feel my heart pound against my chest as I admitted just how much I liked Avery. “She’s everything to me.”

Brian smiled and nodded as he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

“Then you better treat her right man,” he said and I could tell he really meant it.

“I will.” I nodded, mentally taking that as permission to go after his sister. It was fucked up for me to do so, but anything that would ease my guilt right now would do.

“Good, and make sure you start attending practice once you sort things out with her. After all, she thinks she’s going out with a star.” He smirked as he walked over to the double doors before disappearing behind them.

“He doesn’t know it’s her, does he?” Andy asked and my eyes widened as I looked at him. I got up from the bench and he smiled as he took a step back. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”

“How do you know?” I asked, panicked that he knew. Who else knew?FUCK!

“Unlike the rest of the team who took a huge step back when they heard she was the captain’s sister, I was interested as well, but you beat me to it.” He smiled as he took his phone out. “PlusI’m just generally observant, it’s easy to see how smitten you are with her.”

He laughed and I scratched the back of my head, trying to process what he was telling me.

“So stop being so obvious and find a way to balance your work and her, or else Brian will find out soon before you even lay a solid foundation.”

“Do you think he’ll be angry with me?” I asked and Andy pursed his lips as he looked at the ceiling before shrugging.

“I don’t know to be honest. He lets a lot of things slide because you’re his best friend. I guess the question of who he loves more when the time comes will be answered then, so enjoy it while you still have it.” He raised his hand and waved as he left me alone in the changing room.

I dropped onto the bench again and clutched my chest as I felt my heartbeat. Even with everything that just happened, and with Andy’s warning, nothing had changed my mind in the slightest bit and it made me the biggest asshole to my true friend.

I was still going to chase Avery.

Chapter 15

Avery

“Why do you look so grumpy?” Nate asked in a cheery voice as I stepped outside my apartment building after getting a spam of messages from him in the past week asking for a second date, without Niel this time.

“In case you didn’t check, it’s about forty degrees today. How could I not be grumpy?” I squinted my eyes as I looked at him and he shrugged carelessly.

Nate and I had not talked about the incident from when he dropped me off, it almost seemed as if we had brushed it under the carpet and just started talking again. I wasn’t sure if I should have brought it up, or if I should appreciate the fact that he made the first move again because I was fucking embarrassed.

I hated myself for suddenly switching up on him, especially when he had been really consistent with his actions, and here I was changing my moods at any given second without warning.

I was rude and it was disgusting. I spent the rest of that week beating myself up about it and by God’s good grace, Nate texted me on Friday evening and asked to make plans for the followingweekend, which would be today. And because I really had to apologize to him, I agreed.

However, I had not thought to check the weather beforehand because it was freaking cold and apparently, it would rain soon. Hopefully whatever he wanted to do today didn’t require us to sit outside like we did on thefirst date—if you could even call it a date.

“Because you’re with me.” He smiled as he opened the door to his navy blue 4×4 which I truly admired and if I knew how to drive, I would beg him to let me drive his car because it was one of a kind.

“And you’resunshine,” I responded sarcastically and he grinned as he leaned in and my breath got caught in my throat as I watched him reach over and buckle my seat belt in.Shit, I thought he was going to kiss me.

“You know it, Angel.” He closed the door and I blew out a long breath as I tucked my hands between my thighs, trying to calm my heart.

Did I actually expect him to kiss me? Especially after I dismissed him the way I did last time?I must be delusional.

“Do you want me to turn on the heat?” he asked as he got settled in his car. I shook my head, muttering that I was okay. “I hope I didn’t pressure you to go on this date with me?”

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