Page 25 of Well Played

Mason's gaze flicked to Seth, and I could see the wariness, the protectiveness, still lingering in his eyes.

"You hurt her," he said, his voice low and fierce, "and I'll make your life a living hell on and off the rink. Got it?"

Seth nodded. “I would never hurt her, Mason," he said. "She means a lot to me too.”

Mason held his gaze for a long moment, before shaking his head and mumbling to himself. “I can’t get used to the idea of my best friend dating my little sister. I need a few days to process this.”

I nodded. “Okay. I understand that. We can chat at Sunday lunch.”

Mason glared at Seth. “Until then it is hands off my sister.”

Seth nodded. “Fair call, but a few more days isn’t going to change my mind about her Mason. It’s only giving you time to get use to the idea.”

“I’m not changing my mind ether,” I grinned. “I’m not your little sister anymore.”

Mason grabbed me in a hug. “You’ll always be my little sister Sprout.” he grumbled, ruffling my hair. "Just don't ever forget it."

“Now about the mascot thing.” Mason said as tightened his arm around me and led me towards the locker room. “I think it’s time you come clean with the whole team.”

Oh shit.

5

Tonight wasthe night I had been dreading all week - the first Sunday lunch since Mason had caught Seth kissing me in the bear suit.

I glanced at the clock, as I heard the doorbell ring. Finally, Josie was here. My best friend since childhood and my secret weapon in the battle to win Mason's approval.

I had spent hours on the phone with her, begging her to help me smooth things over with my overprotective big brother. And Josie, being the amazing friend she was, had agreed without hesitation. Now, as I opened the door to let her in, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Was I really willing to use my best friend's feelings for my brother for own selfish purposes?

As if on cue, my brother appeared in the doorway, his face stormy and brooding. "What's she doing here?" he demanded, jerking his chin towards Josie.

"I invited her," I said snarkily, daring him to make more comments. I would not allow my best friend will not be dissed in the house. "I thought it would be nice to have some different company."

Mason snorted, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Right. Because we don't have enough drama in this family already."

Before I could respond, Seth appeared behind him, gently punching my brother's shoulder.

"Come on, man," he said. "Let’s eat and get back to normal.”

Mason shrugged off his hand, mumbling that normal didn’t include his best friend sleeping with his sister. He then stalked over to his seat at the table and sat down heavily.

Mum and dad where waiting for us to join them, already aware of the dramas that Mason was blowing out of control. Mum was happy I was with Seth, but knew it would not be easy on Mason. Dad just didn’t want to think of his little sprout with any man, but if he had to chose, he said Seth was one of the good ones.

I sat at the dinner table with Seth, Mason sat across from me, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed as he glared at Seth, who was seated beside me. I could feel the heat of Seth's body radiating off him, the warmth of his thigh pressed against mine under the table.

"So," Mason snorted, his fork clattering against his plate. "How long have you been fucking my sister behind my back?”

I flinched at his crude language, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and anger, as Dad growled at Mason to keep a level head and mum told him to mind his manners.

Okay. Right. So, we are doing this now.

"It's not like that," I said. "Seth and I...we haven't...we're not..." I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. The truth was, Seth and I hadn't slept together yet. I wanted to but I felt guilty for sneaking around. We had come close a few times, but some small voice in the back of my mind kept telling me that it wasn't the right time, that I wasn't ready. Seth had kept his word and had never pushed me.

"Hazel," Seth said softly, his hand finding mine under the table and giving it a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to explain yourself to anyone."

But Mason wasn't having it. "The hell she doesn't," he said as he pushed his chair back, ready to stand. "She's my little sister, Seth. And you're my best friend. How could you do this to me? To our family?"

Seth's grip on my hand tightened. "I'm not doing anything to you, Mason," he said, his voice low. "I love Hazel, and she loves me. That's all that matters."

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