Page 81 of Hat Trick Holidate

Next on my to-do list, fix my relationship with Bryce. I message him throughout the night with no response. When I wake up this morning, a message is waiting.

Bryce: Belinda is watching Jolie today. No need to come… for me.

My heart plummets. He’s given up on us.

Well, I’m not giving up. I call Roman and tell him to meet me here pronto, before the game.

I look through my drawers to find something meaningful to Bryce and stumble upon a bag. When I open it, it’s his jersey. He must have put it in here when he was restoring my house.

Considering whether to wear it, I shove the fabric in my face and am surprised when it smells of him. Should I be? Probably not because he’s thoughtful and possessive in the best ways.

When he stood up for Roman, and for me yesterday, my ovaries blossomed into full grown baby makers. But then, he marched out without his eyes meeting mine.

Roman arrives, and I tell him in no uncertain terms, “If Bryce will still have me, then I’m his, regardless of how you feel about it. He once said, ‘Your brother loves you, so he’ll be happy that you’re happy.’ He said that, and why I didn’t I believe him?”

I let him stew on my words for a second.

“No one goes through life without pain. And the pain you and I have experienced is nothing compared to his. Nowyou can be happy for me, or I’ll pin you down with one of my Ju-Jitsu moves until you cry like a baby.”

Roman hangs his head. “I’ll talk to him before the game. But Reed says that Bryce understands why I wouldn’t want a teammate to date my sister. He’s upset because he thought you would put up a fight for him.”

“The fight starts now.”

I sneakinto the locker room after bribing the security guard to let me put something in my brother’s locker. But I’m leaving something in Bryce’s. He’ll get it before the second period. I just hope it’s not too late.

Bryce,

0514

These four numbers changed my life. The day I met you.

I might not have known your name, but I knew you were my soulmate.

I didn’t know how or when I would find you again but subconsciously, I knew I would.

Did I know you would remember me and want me? No. In fact, I thought you would be repulsed. I was in an awful place, and you made me feel like a wanted woman.

So, when you said you loved me, I didn’t quite believe it. I’m sorry I didn’t see it before. I’ve always known you were perfect for me, but now I realize I AM the perfect woman for you.

If you want a life with me, come to my gorgeous, restored house tonight, and I’ll make sure to thank you.

All my love,

Emmaline, a.k.a. your Rusti

Roman has one ticket in the front row that was supposed to be for his date, but he gave it up for me this one time. I weave through the fans. The game has started, and the Vipers are more aggressive than I ever remember. Maybe they heard about the fight between Bryce and Grant, who represents some of the Vipers players.

I know most of them well, so when Friezen hits Bryce, lifting him up and flipping him over, I’m shocked at the fierceness.

Reed gets to Bryce swiftly who isn’t far from me. “Did you hit your head?”

Bryce shakes his head no; my eyes are magnetized by my brother beating the hell out of his former friend. Bryce finds me on the front row and winks, then lifts his jersey at the number. A split second later, he joins the bench-clearing fight to end the first period.

During the break, I find Jolie in the stands with Belinda, Brooke, and the kids.

“Emmaline,” Jolie shouts.

“Hey. Have you and your daddy decorated the tree yet?” I ask her.

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