Page 68 of Rainbow Kisses

“I know. And I appreciate it. Hell, I couldn’t do this with Maddy without you and your family.”

“Jesus, Brian, I’m not looking for gratitude. I’m just,” Rowdy huffed, “I’m worried about you. You look fucking exhausted. Are you getting enough sleep?”

My lips quirked into a grin. “No, actually, I’m not getting enough sleep. And you still have my undying gratitude forever and always.”

Rowdy’s grin eclipsed mine. “Fuck you, asshole. Fine. I’ll shut the fuck up. But maybe you need a nap.”

“What the hell? Am I two?”

“Nah, man, you’re at least fifty, right?”

Bonesaw slapped me on the back after delivering his one-liner, all wide smile and gleaming teeth. He’d snuck up behind me like a stealth jet. He was so big and so damn quiet.

“Nah, man, I thought that was your IQ.”

The comeback slipped out without thought, making Rowdy snort, while Bonesaw gave me the finger as he left the room and disappeared into the locker room.

Through the door, I saw most of the team had arrived now and was getting changed. I spied Rebel on the other side of the room, back to me while he pulled on his gear.

Rowdy watched me for a second before he shook his head, and we both headed into the locker room. “I’ll see you on the ice.”

“You’re taking practice?” My brows arched. “Thought you were too good for us now.”

“I can still kick your ass in sprints.”

“Wait, is that a challenge?” Wellar called out from across the room. “Are the ol—uh, theseasonedplayers gonna duel it out on the ice?”

Rowdy looked at me. I looked at him. We both said, “No,” in perfect unison, which made me snort and Rowdy laugh.

“Must be getting soft in your old age.”

Rebel’s quiet taunt floated through the locker room, eliciting a collective “ooh” from the team. Since I couldn’t tell if Rebel was ribbing me or his brother, I kept my mouth shut.

Rowdy, on the other hand, took the bait. He crossed his arms over his chest.

“You wanna test that theory, little brother?”

“Who says I was talking to you?”

Rebel’s gaze snapped to mine, his brows arching. If I’d been smart, I would’ve let it slide. Would’ve ignored the challenge. But with the frustration eating at my gut, and the entire team watching, I met his gaze.

“I’m not that much older than you.” I stripped off my shirt. “And I was always faster.”

Which was true. Reb’s strength on the ice wasn’t his speed. It was his defensive skill and his ability to read a developing play. I had decent stick-handling skills and, yeah, I had speed.

Our now-silent teammates watched our interaction like they were at a tennis match, their heads on a swivel. Even Rowdy had fallen silent.

“Wanna put that to the test?” Rebel said.

“You throwing down a challenge?”

The words fell out of my mouth before I realized what I’d done.

Rowdy winced. Reb’s grin turned sharp. And Bonesaw whistled under his breath, shaking his head. The atmosphere in the room felt charged, and I wanted to kick myself. Unless…this could be the answer.

“Yeah.” Reb crossed his arms over his chest. “I guess I am.”

“Gentlemen, we have a Challenge.”

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