Page 18 of On Thin Ice

“I don’t know. I think navigating all this would be easier if he was still on the Strikers.”

She laughed. “Definitely not. He’d probably be black and blue after Ethan and the rest of the guys got to him.”

“They’re not that bad,” I said, knowing full well that my brother would at least want to get a few punches in. He played the annoying older brother role almost too well sometimes.

“Sure they aren’t. Bet Baz would prank the hell out of him. Put itching powder in his jock or something.”

I giggled. “You’re totally right.”

“Okay, but can we be serious for a minute?”

“Do we have to?” I grumbled. It was so much easier to not think about the hard stuff.

Grabbing my phone back, I stared at it. He’d just texted. Maybe I should wait to respond.

I shook my head. Playing more games was not the answer.

Ally: Hey. Yeah, thanks for the apology. You were an ass, but I get it. It’s a shock.

Three dots popped up.

Then disappeared.

Then popped back up.

“Ugh, spit it out.”

Dom: Yeah, it was.

Then a minute went by.

“Seriously? That’s it?” Darcy yelled.

Dots popped up.

Dom: I’m not proud of what I said or how long it’s taken me to reach out.

Darcy huffed. “No shit. Glad he realizes that.”

I quirked a brow at my friend.

“I know. I’m just mad for you,” she huffed.

I nudged my shoulder into hers. “Love you, Darc.”

She smiled. “Love you, too.”

My phone pinged again.

Dom: I’m sorry that you had to go through all of this on your own.

Dom: Not that you don’t have friends and family around. But I guess it’s different.

Dom: Fuck. I don’t know what to say, and I’m pissed at myself that I waited this long, so we can’t talk about this in person.

“And whose fault is that?” Darcy piped in.

“He’s trying now, I guess?” I said.

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