Page 64 of Shootout
“You got it. Way to kick his ass.”
“All in a day’s work,” I joked, noting Ice had appeared beside us, probably in case he needed to keep the peace.
“I wouldn’t want your brother’s job for anything on earth. Being paired with that dickhead would be a special kind of hell,” Ice said. He was our number-one defenseman and one of the best in the entire league. “I have no fucking clue what happened to him. He used to be a decent guy. Now he’s a dirty player, and his game isn’t what it was.”
“Maybe because he’s too busy blaming everyone else,” Axel spoke up. Several guys uttered their agreement.
I grinned and gazed around the locker room. I finally belonged.
I called Jessie as soon as we returned to the hotel. She’d watched the game with the WAGs and was gushing about how well I played. We talked for a brief moment before she had to go, as she was partying with the girls. I hung up with a smile on my face. Jessie fit in in ways I hadn’t imagined she would.
After ending the call, I met my brother in the hotel bar for a drink.
“Tough game for you guys,” I said.
“They’re all tough games. It’s hard to gel when no one on the team has ever played with each other before.” He was more down than I’d ever seen him, and I felt for him, even though there wasn’t a thing I could do about his situation other than beat the crap out of Briggs, which had been extremely satisfying.
“That takes time,” I said lamely, knowing my sympathy didn’t ease his pain.
“Time we don’t have, but we’re trying. The guys are battling.”
“They are. They fought until the end, even though I could tell they were demoralized.”
“You gave us an ass whipping.”
“We did.” I took no satisfaction from the score, but that was hockey, and we were competitors.
“You and Briggs were chirping the entire game. What was he saying to you?”
I shrugged.
“It was about me, wasn’t it?”
“Doesn’t matter. He put dirty hits on Axel and Cave and earned my wrath.”
“He did. I swear he relishes those moments, other than losing the fight.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he loathes losing. We all do.” My twin met my gaze. Even now, I marvel at how looking at him was like looking in a mirror. We were so much alike, yet so different. I was the attention-seeking brash one, and he was the quiet, serious one. We’d balanced each other out over the years, and damn, but I missed that balance.
“How’s it going with Wild’s sister? You still fake dating her?” Braden shifted the subject.
I’d been expecting this question. In fact, I’d have been disappointed if he hadn’t asked. When I didn’t respond, he leaned closer and inspected me closely, trying to figure out what was going on in my head. Usually, he guessed right, or he just knew, as most twins did.
“So, are you?” he prodded.
“Not exactly.”
“What the fuck does that mean? Not exactly? Either you are, or you’re not.”
“I’m still seeing her.” I was evasive on purpose. Normally I told my brother everything, but I was reluctant to voice what was going on because I was confused as hell about the situation.
“You’re stillseeingher? There’s a story, and I want to hear it. Spill your guts, bro.”
I stalled by stuffing a large hunk of pizza in my mouth and taking a long swig of beer. Braden waited, tapping his fingers on the table just to annoy me as he knew it would. I refused to take his bait. I had more pressing matters on my mind, and I desperately needed a sounding board.
“I took her to a gala a week and a half ago. Ever since, this thing between us hasn’t felt fake.”
“So it’s no longer fake.”
