Page 109 of Holiday Hostilities

Jake’s face slackens. “Is that what you really think?” He swallows. “That couldn't be further from the truth. I care, Liv. I’ve always cared. Our parents put us through so much crap and I wanted to be there for you, but I know I fell short. Didn’t try hard enough. You were always so hell-bent on getting as far away from our family as possible—which I understand, and I was glad you got out—but I always felt bad that I couldn’t look out for you. I was so fricking happy when you moved here. Ithought it would give us a fresh start. Give me a chance to be the brother I wasn’t.”

I have to bite my lip as tears fill my eyes. “That’s what I wanted too,” I say quietly. “I chose Atlanta specifically to be closer to you. And when I came here and saw you and Sofia together, a part of me felt like I was intruding. Like you had your own thing going here. And so, I guess I kept my distance, emotionally.”

Jake looks downright aghast. “You would never be intruding, Liv. You’re my family, and I love you. No matter what.”

“Same.” The tears are flowing freely now, and Jake’s blinking rather quickly.

He opens his arms and wraps me in a hug—something we don’t do, ever. I hug him back fiercely. My only brother. My family.

I pull back after a moment and look at him through my tears. “We’re a sorry pair, huh?”

“We are,” he agrees. “I guess I might have overreacted asmidgeto you being with Marino. I was trying to make up for lost time. So many years of not threatening to kick all your old boyfriends’ asses.”

I snort with laughter. “Please. I could’ve kicked their asses myself, if I’d been so inclined.”

This makes him smile, and he ruffles my hair. “I know. You’re a badass, Liv. But that checks out, because you’re related to me.”

“A sorry pair of badasses, indeed,” I agree.

“Hey, look.” He pulls a pained face. “I love you, and Aaron’s the best friend I ever had. I trust both of your judgments, and if you’re saying that this is real for you, I believe you. Sure, it’s a bit weird for me—and probably will be for awhile—but I’m not going to be a jackass about it anymore. You can look out for yourself, and I respect that.”

“Thanks, Jake.”

He nods. Draws his brows together. “But in the interest of looking out for both of you, you should probably know that, given everything that’s happened this season, that photo might not be great for his image.”

Jake’s words remind me of what Lieberman said at the gala about Aaron keeping his love life out of the media, but I shake my head. “I think that photo just shows that we’re together, rather than being a catalyst for more negative stories.”

“I hope so. Plus, I’ve never seen him react the way he did about this.”

“React like what?”

“Like he was more worried aboutyouthan what it might mean for his hockey career.”

My stomach simultaneously soars and tightens at Jake’s words. I’m overjoyed to hear how much Aaron seems to care for me, but at the same time, I’d never want to negatively affect his career.

Before I can fully process this, Jake smiles. “But Iwillkill him if he hurts you, no matter how much I like the guy. Understand?”

“I do.” I smile back at him. “But you won’t ever have to. Because he won’t.”

“Good.”

“Now get out of here.” I give my brother a shove. “You have a game to win.”

And with that, my brother gives me a wave and exits the parking lot towards the players’ area. Meanwhile, I run back to the arena entrance. I’m ready to sit in the friends and family box as both girlfriend and family of Cyclones players, and watch my boys kick some ass on the ice together.

44

AARON

Sixty minutes of gameplay, and it’s all come down to the last sixty seconds.

We’re tied 1-1, but the game’s been frustrating from the moment the puck dropped. We’re outplaying and outshooting the Houston Dragons—one of the worst ranked teams in the league right now—but their behemoth goalie has evaded us from actuallyoutscoringthem tonight.

Which is the metric that actually matters, at the end of the day.

It’s our first game back after Christmas, we’re on home ice playing for a packed arena, and the woman of my dreams is in the crowd, cheering for me.

I want towin,dammit.

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