Zach glances over his shoulder, then maneuvers us around a teammate’s family. “My parents worked a lot to support me and my older brother and sister, but it meant they couldn’t always be with any of us, too busy providing. Jeff and I often played on the same team because he’s only a year older than me. It made it easier for our parents to be there.”
“He must be proud of you for making it.”
“Sure, yeah. But he's also a little jealous.” He shrugs. “I understand it.”
If any of my brothers hadn’t made it to the NHL, I bet it’d be a similar dynamic. It’s never easy to watch someone else live the life you want, even if you’re happy for them. Even if you love them.
“I want you to meet them,” Zach says, the intensity of his eye contact driving home the sincerity of his words. It’s moments like this when I can’t believe my luck.
I squeeze his hands. “I’d love to.”
He pauses. “Why do you think your parents stopped supporting your dream?” Zach tentatively asks the question that could shatter this moment between us. For that reason, I don’t shut down and, instead, push through the ambush of bitterness flooding me.
“They thought it was in my best interest. Which is why I’m hiding it. They still think that.”
Zach opens his mouth to speak, but before he can, Alexei Volkov skates up beside him, disrupting us. I’ve sat at the table with him on more than one occasion when Matt and Gemma invited Alexei and Kennedy over. He didn’t intimidate me then but now with his pads and skates giving him extra bulk and height, I’m reminded how he treats anyone on the ice who isn’t a Palmer City Wolf as his enemy. After watching Alexei pummel Justin Ward to avenge Zach, let’s just say I’d never want to make this man mad.
His eyes bunch together, creating angry creases in his forehead. “You’ve drawn his attention,” Alexei mutters, his gaze flicking to where my brother skates beside Gemma as they push Elodie around the rink.
“We’re not doing anything wrong,” Zach answers at a normal volume.
I love that he’s an open book with his thoughts and feelings. He disarms my fortified defenses in a way no one else has. I’ve never trusted anyone so quickly, certainly not when it comes to handing over my heart.
“Can I steal her?” Kennedy glides up to me, linking our arms like it isn’t a question.
Zach’s eyes meet mine, and I mouth,I’m fine.He lets go of my hand, leaving me unsteady after I got used to depending on him for balance. It isn’t a stretch to tell people Zach and I were holding hands because I need the support.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep her in one piece.” Kennedy winks at Zach before turning to Alexei. “I’ll see you later, babe.” Then we skate to the opposite side of the rink from them.
Alexei can’t help but track Kennedy, even after dating for two years. I’m betting a Kennedy Cole and Alexei Volkov wedding isn't too far in the future. I’ll score an invitation because Alexei is close with my brother, but I’d prefer to be Zach’s plus-one.
“So this isn’t one-sided?” Kennedy’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
“What?” I’m stalling to sort out her motive for cornering me. Is she snooping on behalf of my brother? For Volk for my brother? For her best friend, Gemma, who’s been staring oddly at Zach and me since he landed in the room next to mine a month ago?
Kennedy drops my arm and spins so she’s facing me the way Zach did, except we’re not holding hands. Her dark blue hair is stark against the bright white ice. It’s one of the most gorgeous colors I’ve seen, and she pulls it off flawlessly. I’m not surprised Volkov is wrapped around her finger. She’s naturally beautiful and can go toe to toe with anyone.
“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter,” Kennedy says, squaring her shoulders and preparing to confront me. “I lied to myself for a long time about Alexei. And when I stopped lying to myself, I still refused to admit my feelings to him.”
I roll my eyes, shifting my stance to match hers. “You’ve got it all wrong. I have no problem admitting I like Zach to myself or to him. Or you. I like him, all right? Mystery solved.”
Kennedy raises her eyebrows, obviously surprised she didn’t have to beat it out of me… metaphorically speaking of course.
“When are you planning to tell your brother?”
I shrug. “Zach and I haven’t talked about it.”
Kennedy laughs. “So you’re going the passive-aggressive route, suggesting something is going on in a public setting so you don’t have to tell him directly?”
“Skating with Zach has nothing to do with my brother. Or with you.”
Instead of my attitude putting her off, she skates toward me and slings an arm around my shoulders. I’m shorter than her, so she easily reaches across me. She smiles wide. “He needs someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” I repeat. I’ve turned into someone desperate for anyone to speak a word about Zach, so I can learn more about him and hear other perspectives on his feelings for me.
“Someone with a mind of their own, who keeps him on his toes and doesn’t let him take shit from anyone. Someone who has his back. He deserves more than he thinks he does. I think you’ll help him see that.”
Her approval means everything. Of everyone in Zach’s life in Palmer City, she knows him best. They lived together for more than a year.
