As the offense takes control of the puck, Nonna pats my back. “Come on, let’s get moving toward the lounge.”
I look out at Teddy one last time, guarding the net alone on that side of the rink, and I swear I see him look up at our box. It’s only a split second before the game buzzer goes off, and his attention is back on his team. I turn back to Nonna with a plastered smile and follow my family out to say hi to Gabri and Nikki before they head into the locker room.
The entire team is on cloud nine as they file into the hall. As always, the boys all hug Nonna and Mama, but leave me alone. I smile and congratulate them, waiting for the only two players allowed to touch me.
“Nikki!” Leo calls out, getting my middle brother’s attention.
Nikki turns in our direction with a grin and picks up his pace. He wraps an arm around Mama and me, then picks us both up and spins us around.
“Great win tonight, baby,” Mama says as he puts us down. She kisses his cheek right before being picked up again by Gabri. “You too, Gabriele!”
Gabri kisses the top of her head and then mine. Of all the things the Santori brothers are known for, you can never say they don’t love their family. I’m flooded with guilt as I think about how angry I was with them earlier today. These men have loved and protected me for twenty-five years. How could I let someone I’ve known less than a month come between that?
“Cuddles!”
I look up at who Nikki is calling for, only to be met with Teddy’s piercing gaze. One glance is all I need to remind me I would absolutely let him come between us. Because he’s everything. My family may be walls that keep me safe at night, but Teddy is the air I breathe.
Leo steps up to shake his hand. “Hey man, great game! I’m Leo, thebestSantori brother.”
Gabri grunts a laugh and ruffles Leo’s hair while Nikki punches him in the arm. “Just remember who taught you everything you know, fratellino.”
Teddy chuckles. “Great to meet you, Leo. Trust me, I’ve heardplentyabout the third Santori brother. I can’t wait to have you on the team next year!”
“Yeah, man, me too. I really hope they draft me.”
“They will,” Gabri says with finality.
Nonna elbows him in the side. “Come on, Captain. Introduce us all to the hot new goalie.”
Gabri rolls his eyes, but does as she asks. “Teddy, this is my nonna. Watch out for her, she’s a firecracker. Nonna, this is our new goalie, Teddy Williams.”
“Cuddles!” Nikki yells over Gabri as Nonna pulls Teddy into a hug.
Gabri ignores the interruption and carries on with the introductions. Teddy takes his time talking to Papa and Mama before my brother finally makes his way to me. “And this is my sister, Elia.” It’s crystal clear from his tone that he’s already warned Teddy to steer clear of me.
By some miracle, I’m able to bring my eyes to him without shedding a tear, but the image in front of me breaks my heart nonetheless.
Teddy is staring down at me with an extended hand as if we’ve never met. As if he wasn’t inside me only last week. “Theodore, but you can call me Teddy.”
I take his hand and relish the familiar sparks that only happen when our skin touches. “Elia, but you can call me Ellie.”
“Are you guys doing anything to celebrate the win?” Leo asks.
“Yeah, hitting Roosters for some drinks and then well, we’ll see.” Nikki winks. “Wanna come?”
“Hell ye—” Leo pauses and glances back at me, where I’m barely holding it together. “Nah, Ellie and I have a date with the TV tonight.”
Mama gives the boys one last hug. “Well, we’ll let you boys go get changed.”
The guys jog off to the locker room shouting in celebration, and a part of me breaks as Teddy follows them. To the locker room to change. Then to go celebrate the win. There will be countless puck bunnies vying for his attention. And why shouldn’t he give it to them? It’s not like I could ever join him. Not while the Santori brothers live and breathe. My brothers may never allow me to be with Teddy, but little do they know that he carries my heart with him everywhere they go.
Chapter 15
As if thehockey season wasn’t grueling enough, I’m spending every day off training at the Taranov compound. I don’t know how I’ve managed to keep from slipping on the ice. Maybe it’s the promise of a certain dark-haired beauty watching the games that keeps my performance on point.
I’m not sure which would be worse. Coming here and running my body so ragged I can’t focus on anything, or having to go home to my empty condo with nothing but thoughts of a life that could have been.
“What the hell is on your face, Cuddles?” Mila asks as she stands over where I’ve fallen for the hundredth time.
