“That sucked but you guys will get them in the finals.”
I nod into his chest but don’t say anything. If I could just stay like this for a few minutes, I know I’ll be okay.
“There’s my favorite sister.”
Wait. What?
Is that…Connor?
Luke releases me, but not before rubbing his hands down my arms and giving my hands a light squeeze.
I spin around and there he is. My big brother.
He holds his arms out, waiting for a hug. I’m unsure of how to feel after he just caught me in his best friend’s embrace, but I take a step forward and give my brother a hug.
Connor picks me up, spinning me around, clearly not reading the room.
“Put me down, jackass.”
Thankfully he obliges, but he grabs my shoulders with both hands. He bends down just a smidge and looks me in the eyes.
“You good? I mean besides the loss, is there a reason you needed a hug from my best friend?”
Good lord. Wait until he finds out Luke has seen me naked.
“I’m fine. Just upset, still thinking about the game. When did you get in?”
I do my best to veer the subject away from anything Luke related. Luckily, Connor takes the bait.
“I got an earlier flight so I could be here in time for your game. Tough one but you played well, sis. You were throwing bodies around like your big brother.”
At his last comment I shove him away from me. “Yeah, yeah. I learned from the best.”
Connor slings his arm over my shoulder in the most brotherly way possible. “Aw, Char. You think I’m the best?”
I roll my eyes at his comment. I haven’t seen my brother in months. Even with how anxious I was for his arrival after everything that’s happened with Luke, it feels good to see him. Really good, actually.
Leaning my head into him, I soak in the moment, knowing that it probably won’t last too long. We aren’t the most affectionate siblings but Luke’s words from earlier replay in my head.
Your brother is your biggest fan.
Connor keeps his arm around me as he walks us toward Luke.
“You guys want to go get a bite to eat?”
Any other day this wouldn’t be a big deal. Heck, maybe it isn’t that big of a deal right now. But Luke and I haven’t figured out how we’re going to tell Connor yet. The idea of sitting in between them, acting like nothing is happening, sounds terrible to me. Especially after losing to Canada.
Before Luke can respond, I break away from my brother and start rambling.
“Wow. That sounds like so much fun. But, uh, I actuallyhave team stuff to do. Yeah. Preparation for quarterfinals starts now and all that.” I wave my arms around like a fool.
Connor is looking at me like I’ve grown another head when I hear Luke snort next to me.
Whipping my head toward him, I glare so hard, causing him to clear his throat. He mouths,sorry,to me and I turn to look at my brother again.
“Rain check?”
“Absolutely. Come here, sis.”
