Page 65 of Shootout
“Uh, I, uh, I’m not sure how she feels. I feel that way.” I couldn’t articulate my thoughts or my feelings, and Braden was the only person on earth who understood me enough to get what I was going through.
“Why don’t you ask her?”
I shrugged, not sure why other than worrying about not liking her response.
“Banks, what the fuck is going on? I’ve never seen you look like this. It’s almost like—” Braden stopped, and I knew what he was going to say. He’d read me perfectly.
“It’s almost like I’ve fallen in love,” I finished for him.
“Well, have you?” He grinned at me, half teasing.
“I don’t have much experience in this department, but I think I am in love with her.”
“Seriously?” Braden stared at me as if I’d grown a pair of horns and a tail. “You’re joking, right?”
I shook my head.
“You’re the one who’s always stated you’d be a perpetual bachelor.”
“Yeah, well, how many teammates have we had who’ve claimed the same thing and fallen in love?”
“Lots, but you? Never you.”
I sighed. “Yeah, me.”
“How long have you known this?”
“Not too long. Since the gala.”
“And you haven’t told Jessie?”
“Not yet, but I’m going to tell her.”
Braden frowned and refilled his beer glass. “What if she’s not interested in a real relationship? Then what?”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’m not going to tell her right away, but I’ll show her, and maybe she’ll get used to the idea and realize she feels the same way.”
“I don’t envy you, bro. You’re in a weird place. I’m still having a hard time processing this.”
“I’m sure you are, but it’s the truth, and you’re the only guy who knows.”
“Your secrets are always safe with me.”
“I know that. We share DNA.”
Braden chuckled. “Pretty much duplicate DNA.” He sobered. “I won’t lie. It’s been tough being separated for the first time in our lives.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you.”
“Now I know why. Don’t be sorry. This is all a part of life. We can’t be joined at the hip forever. We both have to forge our own futures.”
“I think this move to Portland will be good for you, get you out of my shadow.” I’d never uttered those words before, but they were the truth. My brother had been eclipsed by my success all of his life while he was an outstanding hockey player in his own right and deserved to be evaluated on his own merit, not dismissed as my brother.
“I never complained.”
“Maybe you should’ve. Are you settling in okay? Making friends?”
“Getting there.”
