Page 24 of Melting the Ice

“You weren’t out of position, even.”

“I didn’t see the puck.” Finn’s voice was heavy, nearly dripping with that particular kind of pressure that only he could put on himself.

Brody hadn’t been sure that he had seen the puck. Had worried that he hadn’t, because of exactly this problem. “We’ve won two games and lost one, barely. We’re getting better. And we can’t do that if you melt down every time someonealmostscores.” He tried to keep his voice calm. Even. Soothing.

But Finn didn’t look particularly soothed. “I’m notmelting down. I’m trying to be good. I’m trying to give the team what it needs.”

What the team needs is for you to cut yourself some fucking slack.

The problem was Finn would never believe that, and they could thank Finn’s father and his storied NHL career for that.

“You are,” Brody said. “I promise, you are.”

“Who appointed you team cheerleader?” Finn asked, and before Brody could respond to the venom in his voice, he sighedwith resignation. “God, I’m sorry. Forget I said that. You’re just trying to help. Youarehelping.”

Brody wasn’t sure he really was, but he was going to keep making the effort. “Good. That’s all I’m trying to do. You don’t have to shoulder the whole burden of the defense. We’re a team out there. Remember that, okay?”

“Okay.” He looked a little better. Less self-destructive anyway, and Brody supposed that was all he could ask for.

“Don’t drink too much either, or do something I’d regret.”

“Why do we have to useyouas a standard?” Finn teased. “Why can’t I use Ramsey instead? Or Elliott?”

“Because Ramsey’s antics aren’t for amateurs, and someday Elliott is going to learn that too, the hard way,” Brody cautioned.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself.”

“Just make sure of that, okay?” Brody said.

“It’s alright, Dad. I’ve got this.”

Brody rolled his eyes, but he let him pass, Finn moving to the kitchen. He’d text him in the morning, make sure hewasokay.

When he returned to the living room, a group of girls had indeed pounced on Dean.

It wasn’t surprising. After all, he was a tall hunk of a man, and on the football team to boot—and if all the chatter was to be believed, heading to the NFL. He was basically an irresistible temptation to anyone who was into hooking up with jocks.

One girl with long blond hair tossed it playfully and looked up into Dean’s eyes.

Brody might’ve left him alone, thinking that maybe he was doing the guy a favor, but the tense line of his back and his shoulders and the blank expression on his face made it clear that he wasn’t happy about this situation.

It would be mean not to rescue him, especially when he’d promised not to stay away too long.

Brody approached and without thinking too hard about it, slid an arm around Dean’s taut waist and leaned into him. “There you are,” he announced loudly. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Dean glanced down, and for a second, the rest of the room seemed to evaporate in the intense look in those green eyes. Clear and opaque both, like glass.

“I’m right here,” Dean said and tucked an arm around Brody too.

“Oh,oh,” the blond girl said, like she was just beginning to realize. “You should’ve said you were here with someone.”

“Maia, you didn’t let him get a word in edgewise,” her brunette friend teased. “Come on, let’s get some drinks.”

Brody let go of Dean the moment they were out of sight, but he didn’t miss how Dean’s touch lingered for just a second longer.

He ignored how it lit him up inside. That was so much easier than thinking about it. Considering what it might mean.

“You ready to go?” Brody said. They’d put in their time. Had a few drinks. Talked to people. Surely Ramsey would count that against their hermit status.

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