Page 33 of Ice Dance Hockey

“That wasn’t a dig to you, kid, I’m just worried. I don’t want you getting your feelings fucked with. Broken hearts are painful.”

“You weren’t here for this part, so I’m gonna catch you up. Yes, the kiss was enjoyed by both parties, no, neither party has intentions of getting together.” I can’t tell them how I know that for sure—that Rhett’s still hard up for Jack and has zero interest in anyone but Jack. That leaves me with a brother who’s getting ready to plan a hit on Rhett and a Jack who’s getting ready to plan our upcoming nuptials.

If there are Gods puppeteering the universe, this is their way of punishing me for my ill deeds.

“Didn’t you instill the fear of God in him or something?” I add.

“You can’t instill the fear of God into a guy who is a God. I can only appeal to his mercy and hope he has some.”

“He’s not that bad, Merc. Jeez,” I say, and then fucking freeze. Did I just defend Rhett? Shit, I just defended Rhett.

Merc doesn’t agree anyway. He studies me as he places his arms around Jack, squeezing him tight like he’s afraid someone will swoop in and take him from his arms.

Rhett. He’s afraid of Rhett doing that. But the only way Rhett even could—despite what Rhett might do—is if Jack still wanted to be with Rhett.

“I’m going to shower. Wash Rhett off me,” I say.

“I don’t think you should, Lo,” Jack says. “You might want to—ow!”

Merc’s hand collides with his ass. “I know you weren’t gonna say what I think you were gonna say.”

That doesn’t deter him. “Yep. I was.” He’s proud of himself. “Forgot for a sec you were brothers. I’ll remember to keep that to our private chats from now on. We’re friends now, aren’t we, Lo?”

I squint. “No one said we were friends.”

“‘Course, we are. You confide in friends and that’s what you just did with me.”

He’s sure of himself, I’m not so sure. “That’s my cue to go. I’ll be putting on my noise-canceling headphones, just sayin’.”

“See, Merc? Best money I ever spent,” are the last words I hear Jack say as I escape down the hall.

Chapter7

Brother-Dad Rules

A little Earlier

Rhett

The lines of Mercy’s sculpted body flex and relax with his movements. His physique is deceiving. He might not be as large as I am, but he’s strong and in good shape. How does he do it? Is he doing CrossFit or something? No, there’s no way he could afford the classes. Well, maybe now that Jack’s his sugar daddy, but not prior to.

“I know you’re the all-powerful Elkington God, but the rest of us commoners can get hurt.”

As if I can’t get hurt. I’m in pain every day, missing Jack. Filled with regret. “I have been transparent with Logan.”

Mercy’s arms are crossed over his naked chest. “Logan tries to convince everyone that he doesn’t have a heart, but all he wants is to be loved.”

“If you’re worried that he’s going to develop real feelings for me, you’re delusional.”

He pulls his phone from the pocket of his jeans. “My sister sent this to the family group chat.”

The picture of me kissing Logan has already made it onto social media. It’s obvious that we both enjoyed that kiss. I shrug. “He knows it’s part of the charade.”

“Cut the shit, Rhett. I know what you’re doing. You want to be close to Jack. You could have found any other fake boyfriend to trick your dad with. I suspect Logan would rather you dated Jack than me.”

“If the additional plot to our scheming is to break you two up so that I can have Jack, then isn’t it absurd to also think he’ll develop feelings for me?”

“I think that plans are best laid and that things change.”

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