Page 118 of Pucking Revenge

As he gets closer, those green eyes dance, making my stomach flip, and a smile tugs on his lips. “Hey, Sar.” Even the way he says my damn name makes me swoon. “Bring Ethan to the bench for me.”

My mother and Ethan turn to me in unison. My mother is biting down on her bottom lip, nervous. Ethan’s eyes are bright and curious. Since the moment they met, he’s hung on my boyfriend’s every word.

I guide him to the gate and wave to the staff, making sure my employee badge is visible, since this isn’t our home arena. Once they’ve waved us through, I lower myself to give my brother instructions. “Stay back and out of the way. The guys are all in skates. They’ll crush your toes if they step on you.”

Ethan’s eyes are wide as he gapes at our surroundings. The huge hockey players preparing for the game, the coaching staff talking in whispered tones to one another, the guy out on the ice barreling toward the boards—the same one motioning for me to bring my brother closer.

“You want to fly, Ethan?” Brooks hands his hockey stick to one of the staff and holds out his gloved hand.

“You sure about this?” I ask, shuffling closer so Ethan can’t hear me. “Seb might lose his mind.”

Brooks shakes his head. “Even he’s not that much of a dick. Come on, take my gloves and help your brother over.”

I yank the glove off his right hand, then he tears off the left. With them tucked under my arm, I wave Ethan closer.

“What do you say?”

He doesn’t hesitate. With all his might, he throws a leg over the boards. He wobbles back, but I steady him. When he’s upright, Brooks scoops him up under the arms, then instructs him to stand on the tops of his skates.

“All right, Ethan. Time to fly.” With a wink at me, Brooks pushes off, and then they’re flying.

I cover my mouth and will my heart not to leap right out of my chest as my two favorite guys maneuver around the ice. Every one of our guys out there circles the pair, and Brooks starts pointing like he’s introducing them all to Ethan. Then they’re taking off again, the whole group staying in a circle formation and gliding together.

“If he fucking falls with that kid…” Seb mutters.

“They could skate blindfolded.” Fitz laughs. “They’re fine. Sar, you want to get out there? I can get a picture.”

“No.” I shake my head, unable to take my eyes off the ice. “But good idea.” Phone in hand, I tap the screen and hit record. Not for the team. Not even for me. This is for Ethan. His face is so bright, and his cheeks are rosy from the cold. God, he’s never looked happier.

When Brooks brings him back to the bench, my throat is so tight I can’t speak.

“That was amazing!” my brother yells.

Once Ethan is on his feet on my side of the boards. Brooks hovers so close his skates tap the barrier between us. He grasps me by the neck and ducks low so our mouths are a breath apart. “Enjoy the game, crazy girl. I love you.” Then he kisses me. It’s quick and chaste. When he pulls back, he shoots me a wink and snags the gloves I still have tucked under my arm.

He’s skating awayand getting into position before I can process the significance of what he’s just done for me and for Ethan.Before the impact of those last few words he spoke can register.

It isn’t until he’s in place that the way he said I love you sinks in. The phrase left his lips like it was second nature. Like he’d easily say it every day for the rest of his life. Like he truly loves me.

In a daze, I clasp Ethan’s hand and guide him back to where my mother is standing at the glass, beaming just as brightly as my brother.

“That man is something special, Sara.”

I nod woodenly, still at a loss. He is special.

And so much more. He’s my best friend. The man who does whatever he can to make me smile. There’s no ask too big. No favor too much.

He finds out I was supposed to cut my hair for charity and can’t, so he cuts his and dares the league to join in. The challenge has gone viral. He did that for me.

My brother asks what it’s like to skate, and rather than just describe it, Brooks brings him out to experience it for himself.

He’s the best person I know. And he loves me.

For the past year he’s spent his nights beside me on the couch, watching every rom-com ever put out on VHS. He’s humored me and let me cry on his shoulder during season after season of Dawson’s Creek. He took me to a Lake Paige concert and snuck me backstage to meet her. He makes dinner for me and laughs at my insanity.

I think maybe he’s always loved me.

And maybe I’ve always loved him.

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