Page 85 of Game Misconduct

But I can’t take my eyes off him. “That’s it? You’re okay with this?”

He rolls his eyes. “I don’t get a say in Bex’s love life. Besides, I broke bro code first by getting together with her best friend.”

“And mine,” I add helpfully.

“You’re taking this very well,” she says. “I’m impressed. You’ve really evolved.”

“Hey, I’m not ruling out punching him in the face. He has a broken nose coming to him.” Whitney huffs, tugging at his strawberry-blond hair. “Fucking hell. Did it have to be him? There’s nobody else in the league you want to fuck instead?”

Her stare turns flinty, and my cock pulses at the intensity of her glare. Fuck, I love when she’s angry. Fiery. I’m even happier when that fire isn’t aimed at me.

“You will not punch my boyfriend in the face.”

He opens his mouth.

“No. You agreed to a cessation of hostilities when you got with Elsy. He’s kept his end of the bargain. Our relationship has absolutely nothing to do with you.”

Whitney tries to speak again, but his words die in his throat.

“On the ice, you can hit as hard as you like, chirp whatever you want to chirp, but you will not fight him,” she continues sternly. “He will never bring up our relationship. He won’t rub your face in it.”

“Absolutely. There are rules in this game. I won’t cross them.” He’s never brought up the fact that he’s sticking it in my best friend and pseudo-sister; I can do the same for him.

Besides, I’d never disrespect Bex that way. Her laying down the law makes my chest warm with affection for her. She knows my boundaries, and she won’t tolerate disrespect.

“You won’t fight me?” he demands.

“I’m putting this rivalry to rest. You can swing at me, but I won’t fight back.”

“Just like that? You want my approval that badly?”

“I don’t need your approval,” I counter. “I’d like it, sure. But my relationship with your sister has nothing to do with you. We’re not dating at you.”

His face screws up in a grimace. “Gross.”

“I like her.” My voice is quiet, but firm. “I really like her, and I want to be with her. What we share has nothing to do with you. It’s between us, and only us.”

He turns his glare on me. “Does Elsy know?”

I nod. “We asked her not to share until we could see you in person.”

“I don’t like you asking my wife to keep a secret from me,” he says flatly. His attention turns to his sister, who’s completely blasé about this. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Sure, let me pick up the phone and tell my stupidly overprotective big brother that I’m dating his nemesis.” Bex rolls her eyes, a fond smile on her face. “We knew we were seeing you tonight. It’s not a phone call conversation. I wanted you to see firsthand how happy I am—we are. That this is a good thing.”

His lips turn down in a pout. “You could have told me.”

“We’re telling you now.” She sets down her menu, gazing serenely at him. “I love you, and I value your opinions in general. But you don’t get to have an opinion on my love life.”

“You’re happy?” he asks. He hooks a thumb in my direction. “This guy? This is the one you want?”

She doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Whitney nods, sitting back in his seat. “Okay, then.”

“Okay?” I echo.

“Okay. I know I’m not allowed an opinion⁠—”