Page 93 of Melting the Ice

“Her brother? Oh, right. Ray. Nice to meet you.” Glen held out his hand, which my brother immediately shook.

Everything would be fine.

How many times was I going to tell myself that before I actually believed it?

Chapter 19

MICAH

“Best behavior, boys,” I said just before I opened the door to Tipsy.

“Of course. We need you in fighting shape. Can’t have Josie’s brother beating you up when we have games to win,” Sin teased.

I glared at him.

Tally smacked the back of Sin’s head. “Don’t be a dick.”

Sin rubbed his head. “I prefer slaps on my ass, not my head.”

“Definitely didn’t need to know that,” Tally replied.

“Come on. It’ll be fine,” Dom said, pushing me through the door.

“Yeah, Harper already texted that it’s all good in there so far,” Timmy said.

“Thanks again for letting Josie crash at your place.” Even if I hated that she thought staying there was her best option right now.

“Any time.” Then I swore he muttered something about earplugs as we entered the bar, but I couldn’t ask because everyone was cheering us for winning the game.

I loved coming to Tipsy after a game. Win or lose, the fans and regulars that came here always welcomed us and never gave us a ton of grief if we played like shit. Nor did they hound us for autographs or selfies. It was the perfect spot for our team hangout.

“There he is,” my best friend said as he walked toward me.

I pulled him in for a quick hug, and we slapped each other on the back.

“Good to see you, man. Settling in okay?” I asked.

“Yeah. Nice place. Josie showed me around. I’m glad she has you around.”

I stepped back. “What?”

“Nearby, I mean. If she needs anything. Sweet game, by the way. How’s the hand?”

My heart was racing. Damn. I’d hoped that maybe she’d caved and outed us. I looked over Ray’s shoulder to see her standing against the bar with some of my teammates’ partners near her, but her eyes were locked on mine.

Fuck. I’d give anything to kiss her right now.

“Is she driving you crazy?” Ray asked, his face turned in the direction of his sister.

“What? No. It’s fine. She’s fine,” I muttered, looking at Ray again. “Glad you’re here.”

“Same. So, the hand?”

I held it out, twisting it. “Not bad. PT looked at it. Nothing’s broken or anything. I just iced it and popped a few painkillers. Should be fine. Not sure about Bruzzy’s face, though. Might be an improvement,” I said sardonically.

“Josie was bloodthirsty out there. Yelling at you to get him.” He chuckled. “I swear, she was on her feet as soon as you started circling each other. She always did love watching you play.”

Warmth spread through my entire body. Yeah, I knew Josie liked watching my games, but I loved that she’d been a fan for a long time. That she loved something that was so important to me.

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