Page 95 of On Thin Ice

“I’m so glad we got you up here tonight,” Brooke said, holding a sleeping Violet in her arms.

“It’s a mini Strikers reunion,” Penny said. “We miss both of you in San Francisco, but your new team is okay, I guess.”

“Don’t be salty that we won,” I teased, beyond happy that they were here with me tonight. I missed them so much.

“She’s fully switched teams, hasn’t she? Don’t let Ethan know. Maybe switch your jersey before we go down to see the guys.” Penny winked.

“Absolutely not. Especially after Ethan drilled Dom into the boards. We talked about this before the game,” I said, remembering that I’d specifically told my brother to play nice. Yeah, it was hockey, but that hit was barely clean.

“You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?” Penny asked.

I swallowed. “Um, maybe?”

Her smile was blinding. “About damn time. And Ethan will deal with it. You look so happy, Ally. And yeah, I’m bummed that you’re here and not at home with the rest of the family, but I think you made the right decision for you and the baby. You’re clearly thriving.”

Penny’s words warmed my heart, and I fought back the lump in my throat.

“And we’re very happy to have her here,” Brooke said, shooting me another grin. “Okay, ladies, this was fun, but I need to get this girl to bed, so I’m saying good night.”

A short while later, we headed down to the player’s area. We figured that showers and media were probably done, and I was ready to get home. Darcy was staying through tomorrow, so at least I didn’t have to say goodbye to her just yet, but Penny washeading home in the morning, and the Strikers were off to their next destination tonight.

“I wish I was staying longer. I want to go Christmas shopping with both of you. Maybe we can swing by Anna’s bakery before I head out in the morning,” Penny said. “It sounds amazing.”

“It is. You will fall in love with the cranberry cinnamon scone.” I hadn’t spent nearly enough time there because Dom was always bringing boxes of treats home.

“Ally, it looks like your brother and Domenic still aren’t getting along on the ice. How do you feel about that?” A reporter called out.

I spun. “What?”

He looked down at my belly. “Pregnant by your brother’s old teammate. Harty’s always been known as a nice guy, but he’s not looking really friendly with Tremblay. Does it bother you?”

“Excuse you, but that is none of your damn business,” Penny said, wrapping her arm around me and glaring at the reporter.

“Agreed. You do not ask family members personal questions about the players,” Cora said, coming up next to me. “Ignore them. They want dirt that isn’t there,” she said softly to me before turning her attention back to the irritating reporter. “Don’t look for fictional drama for clickbait. Focus on actually reporting on the game.”

Then she and Penny steered me away from the reporter, with Darcy following closely behind. It wasn’t the first time I’d been asked about Dom and Ethan’s relationship, but the media had mostly left me alone after the initial reveal the last time the Strikers and Stampede had played against each other. I rarely came down here after a game, preferring to stay in the family suite until Dom came up to get me, so I never usually had to hear these questions. Add in the fact that the Strikers were in town, Ethan had gotten a little rough on the ice, and some of the reporters were clearly looking for clicks.

“There she is.” Tally came out first and headed straight for Cora. “What’s this for? Am I punching someone?” he asked, taking in her pissed expression.

Cora gave my shoulder a squeeze and then leaned in to kiss her boyfriend. “Just media being dicks to Ally,” she said when she stepped back after a quick kiss.

“What? Who?” Tally said, looking at me.

“It’s fine. They just want dirt because Ethan decided to be a dumb brother and knock Dom into the boards a bit rough,” I said.

“It was an exaggerated hit, but Dom’s fine,” Tally said. “Anything you need me to say to the reporters?”

“Thanks, but it’s fine. Ignoring them is easier,” I said.

“No kidding,” Cora said. “They just piss me off sometimes.”

Tally leaned in, and I swore I heard him say something about liking her riled up. Cora blushed bright pink and curled her hand into his chest.

“What’s this about a reporter?” Dom asked, his voice harsh.

I jumped. He’d popped up out of nowhere, and his jaw was tight. I wanted to kiss him right at that moment, so that’s exactly what I did.

“Hi,” I said before I gripped his tie and pulled his mouth down to mine. I swallowed his soft groan, and my body shuddered as he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me in close.

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