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Hell, he might take a swing at me.

But for once, I'm not going to let the possibility of losing something keep me from holding on to what I've already found.

Because Delaney Beckett loves me.

And I'm done making her feel like that's something we have to apologize for.

I spent years thinking loving her was the risk. Turns out, the real risk was making her believe I didn’t.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

BISHOP

I've played against Declan Beckett more times than I can count.

Preseason.

Regular season.

A couple of games where playoff positioning was on the line.

He's taken shots at me, I've taken shots at him, and we've spent more than one night drinking beer afterward while arguing over which of us played better.

Tonight is different.

Tonight, my best friend knows I'm sleeping with his sister.

Or at least, he's about to.

And I have a feeling he's not going to take it well.

I've faced men twice my size with nothing but a stick in my hands and never thought twice about it. But telling my best friend I'm in love with his little sister? That's the kind of hit you don't see coming.

“Bish!”

I look up from tying my skates.

Jax Morrow is standing a few feet away, spinning a roll of tape around his finger.

“You hear a word I just said?”

“Nope.”

“Excellent leadership, Captain.”

“What's up?”

“Asked if we're switching the second power-play unit tonight.”

“Same personnel. Sully's taking the middle on the second unit. Jackson and Resnick on the wings.”

Jax nods. “Got it.”

He studies me another second. “What?”

“Nothing. You look like somebody pissed in your Cheerios.”

“Good thing I don't eat Cheerios.”