Page 34 of Rainbow Kisses

Brian’s quiet comment drew everyone’s attention, and I reached over to wrap my hand around his without a second thought. I would’ve done the same with anyone else, but the moment he turned his hand in mine and squeezed, everyone else disappeared. It was just him and me and the warmth in his eyes and the beating of my heart.

Then my idiot brother reached across the table and took Brian’s other hand. “And when you need to get the shit beat out of you, I’ll be here for you.”

Brian’s laughter made me ache deep inside as he tossed Rowdy’s hand back across the table. But not before he squeezed my hand again before releasing me.

NINE

Brian

“Hey,man, you looked a little green at the start of the game, but you skated like the Mr. Whiskers who used to kick my ass. Nice to have you back.”

Bobby “Bonesaw” Brassard sat next to me in the locker room Saturday night, unlacing his skates and grinning at me as I pulled my sweater off, wincing a little as my shoulder protested. I’d taken a hit into the boards late in the second period that was gonna require ice and a whole hell of a lot of ibuprofen.

“Thanks. It’s good to be back.” Another twinge as I dropped the sweater into the bin to be washed. “Mostly.”

Bonesaw laughed, which sounded like tires on gravel. “Yeah, everything hurts a little more every year, doesn’t it? Good thing I’m younger than you.”

“By what? A year. Fuck you.”

I couldn’t stop grinning as I took off my gear and headed for the showers. Half the team was already there, throwing good-natured insults back and forth. We’d won the game, which accounted for the laughter and smiles.

“Hey, Fiskers, you looked pretty damn good out there for not playing for more than a year.”

Brennan Budgell wrapped a towel around his waist as he stepped away from the dripping showerhead, and I turned on the one next to him.

I sighed as hot water poured over my head and body, working on relaxing muscles I hadn’t used in months. Fuck, that felt good.

“Thanks. Feels more like a decade, though.”

The nerves I’d felt before hitting the ice for warm-ups had made my stomach flip and my jaw tighten. I’d tried to focus on my pregame routine, but for a few minutes, all my brain could focus on was making sure I didn’t trip over anybody or my own damn feet.

The guys gave me space, though a few fans banged on the glass, calling my name and waving. Which helped make me feel more at home. Then I skated by the Zamboni entrance and caught sight of two familiar faces.

Maddy watched me with wide eyes and a smile, dressed in a Devils sweater with my number on the sleeve. Since I knew she hadn’t owned one of those before we left the house, I assumed Rain was to thank for the gift.

I had a lot to thank the woman for already, not the least of which was the way she treated Maddy. Even though Maddy had still acted moody and distant a lot of the time this week, Rain continued to treat her like she did everyone else, with that smile and?—

Fuck.

Not a good time to be thinking about Rain.

“Well, you didn’t play like you’ve been off the ice for a year,” Bren continued, thankfully forcing my thoughts away from a certain brunette. “You always stick-handled better than most ofthe guys in this league. Frankly, you were a pain in the ass when you played for the Animals.”

The unexpected compliment made me huff out a laugh, which died when I heard Rebel say, “Still is a pain in the ass.”

Rowdy’s younger brother turned on the shower across from me, effectively cutting off anything I would’ve said in response. Probably a good thing, because I honestly didn’t know what to say to him. He’d been icing me out since I returned. I knew we’d eventually have to settle our old shit, but that wasn’t happening tonight.

We’d managed to stay out of each other’s way since I’d returned, but we couldn’t do it forever. And I don’t know if Rowdy had talked to the coach or what, but Rebel and I hadn’t had any shifts together all game.

“Hey, Jedi,” Nolan Badini yelled at Rebel from the locker room, “nice fucking goal tonight.”

Blowing out a breath, I shut off the water and toweled off as I headed back to the locker room to get dressed. The conversation in the showers had turned to Rebel’s goal, allowing me to escape.

I fucking hated that Rebel and I were still not talking, but a lot of that had to do with Rebel’s fucking stubborn-ass streak. I’d gotten over the damn fight years ago. Rebel held on to a grudge like a dog with a bone.

Problem for another day.

I’d just finished dressing and toweling my hair dry when I heard, “Brian. Good game, man.”

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