Page 109 of Icy Pucking Play

"What about it?" I ask carefully.

"Well, there are two versions sitting on Lexi's desk." Julia looks meaningfully at Sophie. "One that reads like every other sports article ever written..."

"The professional one," Sophie murmurs.

"And one that actually matters." Julia pulls out her phone. "Want to hear my favorite part?"

"Jules…"

But she's already reading. "'Some say Evan Daniels is made of ice. They don't see how much warmth he holds inside. Howcarefully he guards it. How much courage it takes to let anyone close enough to feel it...'"

"That's enough," I say roughly.

"Is it?" She looks between us. "Because I think you need to hear this. Need to understand what you've been fighting so hard against."

"I know what I've been fighting against."

"Do you?" Sophie turns to face me fully. "Because from where I'm standing, you've been fighting yourself. Fighting the possibility that someone might actually choose you. Might actually want to stay."

"Sophie…"

"No, let me finish." She takes a deep breath. "That article? The real one? It's not just about hockey. It's about family. About love." She smiles slightly.

I pull her closer, kissing her again.

"Gross," Ryland stage-whispers. "They're being cute."

"Hush, Ryland," Natalia tells him. "It's romantic."

"It's something," I mutter.

"It's everything," Sophie corrects softly. "If you let it be."

And maybe that's the key, isn't it?

Letting it be. Letting her in. Letting myself have this.

"About that article," I say carefully.

"Which version?"

"You know which one." I meet her eyes. "The real one."

"What about it?"

"Submit it."

She blinks. "What?"

"Submit it. The real version. The one with all the..." I wave vaguely, "feelings and stuff."

"Feelings and stuff?" Julia repeats incredulously. "Very eloquent, little brother."

"Shut up." But I keep my eyes on Sophie. "I mean it. Submit the version that matters."

"Are you sure?" She studies my face. "Because once it's out there..."

"Once it's out there, everyone will know exactly who you are." I brush her hair back. "The woman who saw past the ice. Who made me want to feel again."

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