Page 74 of Game Misconduct

“Not a secret, per se. Just… none of his business. Not until she and I figure out what’s going on. When there’s something to tell, I’ll tell him myself.”

I don’t need his permission to date his sister, but I do want his blessing. After everything that’s gone down between us, he deserves that amount of respect. If he breaks my nose… well, I can still play hockey with a broken nose. And it would be entirely justified on his part.

“But something is going on?”

“Yeah. I’ve had feelings for her for a while. I thought it would never happen, and then Henry…” I shake my head. “Never mind. The point is, I’m crazy about her, and I might be crazy for pursuing her, but I’m doing it anyway.”

Elsy’s quiet for a long moment. “This is what you want?”

“Definitely.”

“Then I hope it works out for you. My two best friends.” But she doesn’t sound happy. “Mitch… I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

She’s been there for me through the worst days of my life; I’d move heaven and earth for her. If she asks me to stay away from Bex, though… I don’t know that I can do that. Even for Elsy.

My best friend’s voice comes quietly through the line. “Don’t hurt her.”

“I’d never.” Frankly, I’m offended she thinks I’d ever do that.

“And don’t let her hurt you,” she continues. “Bex lashes out when she thinks someone’s about to do the same to her. She hurts people before they can hurt her.”

“I’ve noticed,” I say dryly. “That’s half our battle. It’s why three years ago…”

She gasps suddenly. “Ohio.”

“What?” I’m so confused.

“You’re the man she met in Ohio.”

Just what did Bex share? Has Elsy known all this time?

“I didn’t know she’d told you about that.”

“Not specifics. No names. Just that she’d met someone, and it didn’t work out.” She pauses. “So why now?”

“It’s complicated.” I don’t want to get into it, not any further.

“But this is real?”

A knock taps on my car window, and I jolt, finding Bex standing there, hand tucked into her coat pockets. She’s in her pencil skirt and blouse, her coat unbuttoned, a laptop bag draped over her shoulder. I hit the unlock button, and she opens the door.

“It’s real,” I tell Elsy.

Bex’s mouth tips into a smile. “So we’re telling people?”

“I’m game if you are.”

She reaches for me over the console, and I let her manhandle me, tugging me close until her lips brush over mine. The kiss is heady, drugging, and she pulls away all too soon.

“You’re terrible,” Elsy says, and this time, I know she’s not talking to me. She doesn’t sound mad, though. “How could you not have told me he was the guy from Ohio?”

“It’s complicated,” Bex says, echoing my previous words. “I was going to call you tomorrow.”

“Oh? Something happening tonight?” The smile in Elsy’s voice is audible. “Wait, no. I don’t want details. This is Mitch we’re talking about. He’s practically my brother.”

“Now imagine how I feel, considering you’re married to my actual brother,” Bex sasses back.