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I don’t think.

I just do something that’s as natural as breathing, something I did a hundred, a thousand…maybe even ten thousand times when I was a member of the Conrad household and was still hoping they might like me. Respect me. Love me.

If I got good at something they loved then maybe⁠—

I shoot.

It’s muscle memory that sends the puck flying to the upper corner, muscle memory that has me leaning forward—something that has my ass rubbing against Ace’s pelvis in a way that has both of us sucking in a breath—muscle memory that has me firing the next one to the other top corner.

I hear a low, impressed whistle.

But I’m too focused on finishing this, on finishing the thing I practiced so many times before.

Middle of the net on the left. Middle on the right.

Lower left. Lower right.

And then, just for good measure, one directly in the middle of the crossbar, sending it pinging down into the back of the net.

Then I straighten…

And see I’ve earned an audience.

Ace is behind me—no doubt having peeked up my dress.

Beck and Lex are in front of me—likely having gotten a glimpse down it.

But the surprised looks on their faces have me smothering a smile. Clearly it was just peeks and glimpses.

Because they saw where every single one of those shots went.

And they know it’s not luck.

They know I shot them there.

Damn right I did.

“Told you the heels and dress were no obstacle, baby,” Ace says, his lips coming to my ear, his hands settling on my waist again, tugging me back against him in a way that makes it very clear how much he just enjoyed watching me do that.

“I’m more impressed she did it with a stick that’s too long for her,” Beck mutters.

“I’ve got a long stick she can use,” Lex says with a smirk.

Ace tightens his hold on me.

I open my mouth.

Beck gets there first, smacking Lex on the back of his head. “You’re an idiot.”

Lex scowls, and I decide to leave the Ambroses to play with their sticks.

“And that’s my cue,” I tell Ace, passing mine over and kissing the hinge of his jaw. “I want to finish my chapter before it gets too dark out here to read.”

His eyes are still sparking with annoyance, the golden specks in them molten, but he just runs his knuckles along the column of my throat. “Be over soon.”

Likely after reading Lex the riot act.

And maybe exchanging a few blows.