Page 120 of Home of the Brave

“Just the pranks?” I teased, and she laughed as I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“Let’s hurry and get lunch before you guys have to get to practice,” Kendall stepped forward. “I made a reservation up the street.”

Hartman joined her as they led our group, and Victoria slid her hand into mine. I relished how easy it was. How I didn’t even have to ask. She was a part of our little family now.

I just didn’t know how long it would last.

27

VICTORIA

It was a good thing Cambrie wasn’t recording this because there was no way I was going to be able to stay neutral. It was the middle of the second period, and I was losing my patience with the East.

They ended the first period with a fight, right in front of Josh, and either someone said something to him or he was hurt. He’d allowed three goals in the last ten minutes.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t the East I was mad at. It was the West’s defense.

“Come on!” I screamed. “Do something!”

I couldn’t take any credit, but DiFranco scored almost immediately.

“Did you see that?” I asked Cambrie.

“Witch,” she laughed. “You made that happen.”

“No, they’re just finally waking up from the haze.”

Then a fight broke out, and I nearly slammed my face against the glass.

“East started it,” she patted my shoulder. “We’ll get a power play.”

She was right, and we did score again.

Then again, finally tying the game.

“Let’s go!” I screamed again as the West players fought for control.

“Oh no,” Cambrie muttered, and I closed my eyes just as the buzzer sounded for yet another East goal.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I muttered and waited until the excruciating period came to an end.

Josh didn’t take off his helmet as he headed to the bench, but I could see the defeat in his shoulders.

“They’ll get it together,” Cambrie assured me as we stepped back from the glass. There were seats we could take, but I had too much adrenaline to sit.

“I know,” I nodded, pacing. One point wasn’t difficult to come back from, but I knew Josh was beating himself up.

“You know what I know?” Cambrie leaned against the wall, watching me.

“What?” I asked without pausing.

“That your feelings for him are real.”

I nearly tripped, but pulled myself together. “I never said they weren’t.”

“No, but you’re ignoring them.”

“Because there’s nothing I can do about any of this.” I glanced at her. “Sure, I decided to stop fighting the attraction between us, and I really do like him, but the root issues are still there.”