Page 6 of Tripped Up

Elsy lets out a sob and buries her face in Bex’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. You need to go. I’ll be fine. I’ll get through it.”

“I can see if I can switch my flight…”

Setting a hand on my sister’s shoulder, I ease her back. “I’ve got her,” I tell her.

And then I wrap my arm around Elsy, curling her into my torso. To my surprise, she winds her arms around my waist and buries her face in my chest. My hand roves over her upper back, trying to soothe her.

“It’ll be okay.” I don’t know which one of them I’m saying it to. Maybe even to myself.

Elsy’s cries twist my stomach. I wish I could wipe away her tears and tell her everything will be fine. That she’ll be stronger for having done this.

But I can’t lie to her. I don’t know what brought her to Austin, just that the move was unexpected and not exactly her choice.

We’re in the same boat. I’ve only been in town a few weeks. Training camp starts up next week. In my nine years in the league, I was lucky to make it so long without being traded. Once I made it out of the minors, I spent all of my time with Philly.

And then in the wake of our Cup win, they got rid of me. Traded.

Yeah, I’m not bitter, not at all.

Maybe this is what we need to have a fresh start—the both of us.

Bex’s smile can’t hide her sadness. Our relationship is stronger from living in different cities, but saying goodbye is always difficult. “I’ll see you around,” she promises, before she grabs her suitcase and wheels it up the ramp into the airport.

Elsy chokes out a sob and then releases me, stepping back. Black smudges beneath her eyes as she wipes them with the back of her hand. They immediately well with tears again.

“It’ll be okay,” I tell her.

Her withering glare could turn a lesser man to stone. As it is, my cock hardens in my athletic shorts at the derision on her face.

This is so wrong.

“Let’s get this over with,” she snaps, climbing back into the car.

I give myself a discreet adjustment before rounding the hood and sliding into the driver’s seat.

“Have you thought about which dealer you want to check out?” I ask as I pull into traffic.

Elsy shrugs. “Wherever. It’s not like I’m going to fall in love with the first car I see.”

Spoiler alert: That is exactly what happens.

“I love it,” she declares once we step onto the lot.

And just like that, the salesman approaches.

The small SUV is only three years old, a lease return from a nonsmoker, and has never been in an accident. It’s a dark blue color with a light interior.

“I’m sure we can get you a good deal,” he says, but his eyes are on me. He leers like he can see into my pockets—and my bank account. Just because hockey has earned me millions doesn’t mean I’m about to spend all my cash. I’ve got to think about my future, for a life after hockey.

“Oh, we’re just looking,” I say casually.

Elsy opens her mouth, but I pull her into me, my arm draped around her shoulders again.

“Aren’t we, pookie?”

She glares daggers at me.

“This one is great for new families,” the salesman says. “When are you due?”