And then, I forget about Hunter and Liam being on the other side. All I care about is the Wild Kings getting the win.
We’ve been close all game, but now it’s overtime, and it’s sudden death—first goal wins.
But I’ve been clutch so far this season, and I don’t expect tonight to be any different.
I flick the puck over to Arch, who gets in trouble when Liam checks him hard to the ice. But Tex recovers the puck and sends it over to Max, who immediately launches it across the blue line in my direction.
I cradle it in my stick and skate around the oncoming defender. Liam is barreling toward me, and he’s all that stands between me and the goalie.
I know my big brother’s tendencies. He’s uber-talented and super physical. So, I use his physicality against him. I bait him—I hesitate just long enough to get him to lunge, and then I shift left. My quickness comes in handy as Liam flies past me, just grazing my shoulder. His weight throws me off-balance, but I stay upright and fire the puck toward the goal.
The goalie bites too soon and jumps out left as the puck flies right and into the net.
I raise both hands in victory as my teammates descend upon me. We fall to the ice and pound each other’s backs in celebration.
When I finally separate from the group and skate toward the bench, I look up toward Declan’s box.
Ashley’s clapping and shouting. I raise my stick to her, and she pumps her fist back at me.
I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
See you tonight, darling.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
Liam, Max, Hunt, and I have a couple of drinks at a nearby microbrewery to celebrate Hunter’s upcoming wedding. Hunt’s best friend, Murph, joins us. Murph sometimes jokes that he’s like a fifth Storm with all the time he spent at our house growing up.
We catch each other up on what’s been going on, and of course, that means Liam and Hunter press for information about Ashley.
“You all know her,” I say. “What do you want to hear?”
“We want to hear your side of things,” Liam says. “How is the living together thing going?”
“Great,” I say. “Louie lives with us too.”
Murph laughs. “You’re in deep if you’re including the cat as part of your family already.”
“Hunt and Winter took care of a cat together too,” Max says to him.
“Yeah, and look how that turned out.” Murph points at Hunter. “He’s marrying her.”
Hunter chuckles. “I think what Murph is trying to say is that this thing with Ashley sounds more serious than what you’re used to, J.”
“So what if it is?” I say defensively.
“Then I approve,” Hunter says. “You know we all love Ashley.”
“And you seem happy.” Liam’s green eyes assess me. “Are you?”
Yes.Happier than I’ve ever been.
“I’m…good.”
My brothers all grin.
“That’s Jared code for yes,” Liam says.
“What about you?” I ask Liam. “Have you gotten back out there yet?”
