Jimmy is our alternate. His twin sister is also here competing on the women's USA curling team. They took the day to explore Sweden. Everything you’ve heard about sixth senses and the crazy bonds some twins have, that’s Jimmy andhis sister. They’re best friends and it’s actually pretty awesome to see them both going after their dreams together here in Stockholm.
For the next half hour, we all scour the internet trying to find a place to stay. After what I think is my tenth phone call, our hard work finally pays off.
I hang up the phone and turn to the guys who are all looking at me, ignoring the sounds in the room next to us, desperation clear in their eyes.
“There’s a hotel just outside the Village that has two rooms left. Apparently they had cancellations right before I called. We got fucking lucky, but they said they’d hold them for us through the end of the day.”
The three of them exhale sighs of relief in unison and I clock this as our first win of the trip.
We all grab our suitcases and make our way out of this hellhole. I’m last out of the room and follow the guys to the main level where we told Jimmy we’d meet him.
“It’s too bad there’s only two rooms left. I bet Liv and Charlie would’ve loved an escape from their living situation too.”
Shit.
There’s no way in hell I’m leaving Charlie behind to stay in her atrocious room. The two girls can share a bed and I’ll take the floor for all I care.
It’s never been my job to take care of her, she does just fine taking care of herself, but the thought of leaving her behind makes me sick to my stomach.
I’m not sure when this innate need to protect Charlie came about, but rather than question it, I embrace it.
“Fuck that. They’re coming with us.”
The women are up 3–1 with five minutes to go in the third period. The place is packed with fans which is so incredible to see. There are a ton of athletes here to attend the Opening Ceremonies tomorrow, so the stands of the arena are painted an array of colors, each athlete repping their country’s colors proudly.
Charlie hops onto the ice and a smile stretches across my face. She stands easily over six-foot on skates but that’s not what makes her stand out on the ice. Her style of play is what catches the attention of not only me, but my teammates sitting next to me.
“Man, she’s an absolute menace out there.”
Just as Wyatt makes his comment, Charlie throws her shoulder into one of Team Finland’s players, causing her to slam against the boards and fall to the ice.
I chuckle to myself before responding. “She’s been a menace her entire life. On and off the ice.”
I don’t mean that in a bad way, either. She gave her brother hell, but it’s only because she had dreams as big, if not bigger than his. She’d tag along anytime we’d head to the sports complex, claiming if we needed to practice then so did she. The memory brings another smile to my face.
My astute third, or what we sometimes call ‘vice-skip’, Brendan, shakes his head at me for what feels like the millionth time tonight.
“You look like a fucking bobble head the way you keep shaking your head. Something you’d like to say?”
Brendan eyes me wearily before leaning back in his seat. “Nah, man. You just seem awfully fond of your best friend’s little sister.”
“Fuck off.”
Brendan laughs, dropping the conversation, but his words stick with me. Because I am fond of her. I’m more than fucking fond of her. I’m so damn attracted to her, our encounter earlier has been playing on loop ever since.
Connor will fucking kill me if he ever finds out, but the threat isn’t enough to clear my thoughts. His sister might be seven years younger than me, but the attraction I feel whenever I’m near her is impossible to ignore.
As I’m contemplating my feelings for her, Charlie shoves a Finnish player off the puck, stealing it and driving the net at full speed. She fakes a shot and then moves it to her backhand, firing it right over the goalie’s shoulder for another Team USA goal.
My dick pushes against my zipper, her hockey skill yet another turn on I can’t ignore. She celebrates with Liv and the rest of her linemates on the ice before making her way to the bench to knock gloves with the rest of her team.
Just as she’s about to turn and head back toward center ice, her eyes catch mine where I’m sitting just a few rows up from the glass.
I stand and clap with the rest of my curling teammates and ignore Wyatt when he asks me if I’m ready to go.
There’s not a chance in hell I’m looking away from the angel on skates in front of me.
She finally turns to make a line change, but just as she’s about to step onto the bench, her head whips my way one more time and my best friend’s goddess of a little sister winks at me.
