“And who is Sara?” I can’t help but ask, drawing out her name to about ten syllables.
He pauses and I picture him glaring at the phone. Then he sighs again. “You’re annoying.”
“And you’ve got it bad,” I tease.
“Bro—”
“You know I can always get another ticket to the team’s celebration,” I offer. “And you can impress her with your hockey prowess and behind-the-scenes privileges.”
“Yeah, right,” he mock grumbles. “Last thing I need is one of those playboys you call teammates catching her eye.”
“True. You definitely can’t compete with that kind of sex appeal.”
Silence.
Then, “You know if you weren’t my brother, I’d…”
“Wish you could have my abs?”
He snorts. “God, you’re an asshole sometimes,” he says, but he’s laughing.
“Sure am,” I say and I’m laughing too.
I pull to a stop in front of the practice facility and throw the transmission into park. “I’m serious about the extra ticket though.”
“I’ll ask her.” He coughs slightly, and I know it’s because of the fluid around his heart. “But she might have to work.”
Yup. Maybe it’s cliché, but Sara and Blake met in the cafeteria of the hospital.
She’s a nurse in one of the departments.
And my brother is charming when he’s not giving me shit.
It’s a match that means he’s fallen hard enough I hope she doesn’t break his heart.
Though, she seems just as smitten.
Now if I can just get my mom to unclench enough so Blake can take her on an actual date…
Maybe this event will be that chance, especially since they’re all coming out.
“Well, either way,” I tell him. “The ticket will be there waiting for her. And her flight would be on me.”
“Th—”
“Who may have to work?”
It’s a shrill question.
And not from Blake.
“Mom,” he begins. “Colt’s on the phone?—”
“Who Blake Madden?” she presses.
“Sara.” He sighs when she makes a sharp sound but doesn’t back down. “Remember how we’re going to the celebration the Sierra are putting on for Colt’s five hundredth game in the league? Colt said he could get an extra ticket for Sara.”
I can’t believe it’s been that long.
