Page 23 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“I could say the same,” she quips.

“I didn’t have a choice.” I laugh, thinking of all the times Rylee demanded I sit with her and watch. She was obsessed, and despite my prayers for her to move on to something else, she never did.

“I bet you’re a fantastic brother,” Hailee whispers.

“Were.” The word is like a knife through my chest.

“You’ll always be her brother, Hayden. That’ll never change.”

“Big brother,” I muse. “By eighteen minutes.”

“And I bet you held that over her every single day.” She laughs.

“Just like every older twin does,” I state proudly.

Hailee laughs, and I swear, it’s the best sound I’ve heard in a long time. I just wish I were in a place where I could make her do it more.

“My older brother was a pain in my ass,” she muses after a few seconds.

“Was?”

“Hmm.”

I don’t ask. If she wants to tell me more, then she will.

Instead, we both stay silent, our eyes on the TV as we sip our hot chocolates.

Warmth spreads through me, but I’m not sure if it’s the treat she brought or just her company.

Somehow, she knew that I was in here alone and hating everything about it, and like some kind of guardian angel, she turned up.

My eyes drift over to her, running up her strong, bare legs. They look tiny compared to mine. But damn, they’re pretty. And it’s clear from the muscle definition that she works out. She’s got a nice tan too, despite the fact that she said she hasn’t been on vacation this summer.

A sigh spills free, and I sense her glance over at me.

“I’m okay,” I whisper, desperately wanting to be strong, wanting to appear like I’m coping.

“I know,” she whispers back, her arm falling to the bed beside mine, her little finger reaching out and brushing against my skin.

“Thank you,” I breathe.

“Sometimes, all you need is a good hot chocolate to make life seem a little more bearable.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, only I’m not talking about the drink. “The company helps, too.”

“Being alone sucks sometimes. But you don’t have to be. We’re all here for you. Tell us what you need.”

My heart slams against my ribs as I close my eyes tight. “What if I don’t want to?”

“Then you have to trust that those who care about you know what’s best for you.”

“You care about me?”

She pauses, and I suspect she regrets her statement. “Hayden…” she starts, but I don’t let her finish.

“I was just teasing, Hailee. I know you’re just doing your job. Making sure I’m ready for what’s to come.”

“Mmm.”