Page 114 of Melting the Ice

“What did he say?” Cora asked.

“That man is on fire for you, and you cannot say you don’t bring out the best in him on and off the ice.” Harper whooped again as the arena continued to cheer.

“Hurricane. He calls me Hurricane. Always has.” My smile was starting to hurt my cheeks.

“That’s perfect,” Ally said.

“I’m going to talk to my brother tonight.”

“What? Where’d that come from?” Harper asked. “I thought we were letting him stew longer.”

I chuckled. “I love Micah, and Micah loves me. I’m happy here, and I don’t want my brother leaving until I’ve told him how I feel. I’m done feeling embarrassed because of how my family views me.”

Harper did a little fist bump. “Damn right you are. Clear the air and then send that man to a hotel so you can celebrate wholeheartedly with your man. I know I will be tonight, so, sorry, I’m kicking you out.”

She wiggled her brows, and I burst out laughing. “I wasn’t going back to your place anyway. I love you, Harps, but earplugs only mute so much.”

She shrugged as Ally and Cora laughed. “I feel no shame about that. But don’t tell Con. He’ll turn bright red.”

“And you shouldn’t. Okay, I’m texting him.”

“Connor?” Harper asked.

“Micah?” Cora asked.

“Nope. My idiot brother.” Pure contentment washed over me. This was exactly where I was supposed to be.

***

Josie: Hey. I’m skipping Tipsy tonight. I’m going to talk to Ray and clear the air.

Micah: Do you want me to be there, too?

Micah: Are you okay about it? Because I don’t care what he thinks. You’re mine forever, and I don’t care if that sounds creepy or possessive or something.

Josie: LOL. I’m pretty possessive over you, too.

Micah: Good. Should I get him a hotel room?

I grinned as I headed down the hall to our condo.Our.I’d sent Micah that first text as soon as the game had ended, but it’d taken him a bit to respond since he had post-game stuff to deal with. Ray had texted to say he’d meet me at the condo. If I was going to get upset—not that I planned to—I didn’t feel likedoing it in public. And I wanted my brother to see that I was comfortable at our place. I had been living there for two months now, after all.

Once inside, I settled on the sofa with a glass of water and my tablet and waited for my brother. Twenty minutes later, he walked in.

“Hey. Should I have knocked?” he asked, looking a bit worse for wear.

As he should.

“What? You have a key.” I stayed put on the couch and took a sip of my water.

“Yeah, but after this morning, I feel like a total dick and maybe a bit unwelcome.”

“Which is justified,” I replied.

His laugh was strained. “Harsh, Josie. But I deserve that. Thanks for texting me. I didn’t want to leave tomorrow without making sure we’re okay.”

He rolled back his shoulders. I’d never seen my brother look so out of sorts, especially directed at me, and maybe there was a touch ofserves you rightgoing through me.

“Can I sit? Actually, can I grab some water first?” he asked.

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