Page 90 of From Wink to Kink

"When I got there, I found out Chuck had accidentally booked us into the same bungalow. And not just any bungalow. A 'honeymoon suite' with one bed and a hot tub on the deck."

"Oh my god," Tyler mutters, looking like he wants to be anywhere but here.

But I'm on a roll. "And that's not even the best part. You want to know what kind of activities they had at this retreat? Tantric yoga. Partner massage workshops. Something called 'Embracing Your Sensual Self' that I'm pretty sure was just an orgy with mood lighting."

By this point, Lucy is shaking with silent laughter. Tyler looks like he's about to pass out.

"And there we were, stuck in the middle of it all, trying to keep our wits about us as we rode it out. Do you have any ideahow awkward it is to sit through a 'Spicing Up Your Love Life' seminar with your brother's teammate?"

"Please stop," Tyler groans, but I'm too far gone to stop now.

"And then there were bug invasions. Picture this, Chuck and me, huddled on the bed, surrounded by mosquito netting, while outside our little cocoon, the biggest beetles, cockroaches, spiders, and moths I've ever seen are having what I can only assume was their own little orgy."

Lucy is full-on laughing now, tears streaming down her face. Tyler looks like he's contemplating drowning himself in his water glass.

"But you know what the craziest part is?" I say. "In the middle of all that insanity, all that awkwardness... I started to fall for him. For Chuck. The guy I always thought was just another meathead hockey player."

The table falls silent. Even Lucy stops laughing, her expression turning serious.

"Ruby," Tyler starts, but I hold up a hand.

"I know what you're going to say. That it was just a vacation fling. That Chuck's not the relationship type. That we're too different. Trust me, I've told myself all that a hundred times."

I take a deep breath, drained. "Truth is, I've never felt this way about anyone before. And it scares me."

For a moment, no one speaks. Then Lucy reaches across the table, taking my hand. "Oh, Ruby," she says.

Tyler clears his throat. "I... I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrug, suddenly feeling very small. "I didn't know how. And I guess... I guess I was afraid you'd react exactly like this. You know, not at all psyched to think of your sister together with your teammate.”

My brother has the grace to look ashamed. "I'm sorry, sis. I didn't mean to... I just worry about you, you know?"

"I know," I say, managing a small smile. "But Tyler, I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."

He nods, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "So... tantric yoga, huh?"

I groan, burying my face in my hands. "Can we please change the subject? Like, forever?"

Lucy laughs, squeezing my hand. "Only if you promise to tell me more about this 'Embracing Your Sensual Self' workshop later. For, you know, wedding planning purposes."

I peek out from between my fingers to see Tyler turning an interesting shade of red. "On second thought," he says quickly, "let's definitely change the subject."

As we finally order, a weight lifts from my shoulders. It feels good to have everything out in the open, even if it did involve mortifying my brother in the process.

"So," Lucy says as we dig into our pasta, "what are you going to do now? About Chuck, I mean."

I twirl my fork in my pasta, considering. "I don't know. I told him it was over. That we're too different, that it could never work."

"And is that what you believe?" she prods gently.

I look up, meeting her eyes. "I don't know," I admit. "I thought I did. But now..."

Tyler, surprisingly, is the one who speaks up. "Look, Rubes, I know I gave Chuck a hard time earlier. And yeah, he's got a reputation. But... I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. In those photos, I mean."

I feel a flutter in my chest at his words. "Really?"

He nods. "Really. And for what it's worth... I think you two might be good for each other. You'd keep him grounded, and he'd... well, he'd probably drive you crazy, but in a good way."

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