“We haven’t discussed it. But… maybe.”
“Damn,” Austen says with a shake of his head. “Never thought there’d be so many of them.”
Cameron ended up taking Austen’s name because he had so much tied to it. And because Cameron Brewer sounds betterthan Austen Scott.
It’s true that Alex and I haven’t talked about who would take which last name, and his rough relationship with his parents may play some part in that. Alex Mackenzie doesn’t sound terrible, but his name holds a lot of weight. He’s Alex Brewer, a successful, retired hockey player.
It’s the only reason I got away with what I wanted to do today.
When we reach the block where we split ways, I stop and glance at Austen.
“So, I’ll see you later?”
“No way in hell am I missing this. Yes, I’ll see you later.”
I keep my head down as I make it back to my hotel, where Alex is waiting for me—naked.
The Rangers are playing the Blue Jackets, which I’ve known for a long time because this plan has been in the works for a long time. I needed it to be perfect, and so I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out the logistics.
Neither the Rangers nor the Blue Jackets are Alex’s favorite team, but for the sake of his brother being with us, it’ll have to do. He loves hockey, and he was excited when I told him I got us tickets to the game. But it’s the after that’s going to be special.
Austen and Cameron meet us outside the doors, and we all go in together. We grab drinks and food before going to our seats right beside the penalty box. I love listening to the guys talk shit when they’re in here.
The game is great. It’s toward the end of the season and both teams are a wild card, so they’re fighting hard to get to the playoffs. There are more fights than I’ve ever seen in person, and I’ve been to a handful of hockey games. The penalty box almost always has someone in it.
Rangers end up winning, so of course the energy is high. When Alex gets up to leave, I grab his arm.
“Sit down,” I tell him.
He frowns at me, looking around. “Why?”
“Because I have a surprise for you.”
He narrows his eyes, looking to his brother, then back at me.
“Okay,” he says, drawing out the word and sitting down.
It doesn’t take long for most of the people to clear out, and when they do, I get up, feeling a little dizzy. I can’t fucking believe I’m about to do this.
“So… what’s this surprise?” Alex asks.
“You’ll see soon enough,” I say as we walk up the steps and out of the arena. I lead the way over to the security box, where the guy Austen and I were introduced toearlier is sitting. He grins at me knowingly, and I give him a nervous smile.
“Follow me, guys,” he says.
Alex hurries up to my side. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Stop trying to ruin the surprise,” Austen says, giving his brother a shove.
“So you know too? What the hell. Everyone knows but me?” His words are aimed at me, but when I don’t answer, he looks back at Austen and Cameron. “Even you, Cameron?”
“Sorry,” he says with a shrug, to which Alex complains.
The security guard leads us around the arena, where a ton of people are still trying to leave. He swipes a card and lets us through a door.
“Down the hall, and to the left. He’ll meet you there.” He winks at me as I walk by.
“Who ishe?” Alex asks. “What are we doing?”
