Page 13 of Fear of Intimacy

When he got hurt during a game two seasons ago, it was like this part of him slowly seeped away. Getting hurt is never what a professional hockey player wants, especially one as hardworking and fierce as Wyatt. It was like he waslost for a little bit. Unable to play like he used to. Then he met Josie.

I don’t know what it was, but she helped bring him back to life in a sense, and he helped her with the passing of her father. The two met at a time when they both needed someone. I wasn’t sure if I ever saw a pair more suitable for each other.

Leaving them to their moment, I glanced at Lydia, who was glaring daggers at Landon. I didn’t have to be a part of that conversation to know Landon probably said something to her. Wyatt’s older brother could come off as an asshole. I mean, he was one but he was also a great guy.

He’s had to be the father figure to both Wyatt and their younger brother, Mateo, since their father ran out. He’s also become a brother figure to me throughout the years. Once you got past his hard exterior, you saw someone who would do anything for those he loves.

Although from the way he was looking at Lydia, I couldn’t decide if he wanted to get as far away from her as he could, or if he wanted to pull her across the table and kiss her. Leaving those two to whatever that was, I turned back to Tasha, who was talking to Mila.

“I bet if one of the guys used their names, they’d gladly bring us some,” I caught Tasha saying. The way Mila grinned, I knew the two were up to no good. I sat back and watched as Mila turned to Bryton.

“Babe.” Mila crooned. The way Bryton looked at his girlfriend almost rivaled Wyatt and Josie.

“Yeah?”

“You know I love you, right?” Tasha covered her mouth as Bryton narrowed his eyes at Mila.

“What do you want?” Bryton asked.

“I can’t tell my boyfriend I love him?” Mila battered her eyelashes.

“Again… What do you want?” Bryton repeated.

Mila let out a dramatic sigh, my own lips twitching. She knew how to lay it on thick. All four girls were trouble and they knew it.

“Us girls want to go to the beach. We had such a long flight yesterday, but we want margaritas while we relax.” Mila pressed her chest against his arm as she traced his hand with her finger. “Think you could help us get a few delivered to the lounge chairs?”

“So, you want me to ask the poor workers at the hotel to keep bringing you girls drinks?”

“Uh…yes.” She looked a little uncertain.

Mila could ask for the moon and Bryton would say he’d get it for her.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Bryton relented, earning a kiss from Mila in return. I shook my head. The boy was so in love. But as I looked over at Tasha, who was smiling widely, I briefly wondered if I’d ever get the chance to be that way with her.

6

TASHA

“Icould get used to this,” Josie commented as all of us girls laid out on the beach. I hummed in agreement, my eyes closed as I soaked in the warm sun. A girl could definitely get used to drinking margaritas while lounging by the water.

“What do you think the guys are doing?” Mila asked.

“Probably found some sport to watch,” Lydia answered. I didn’t have to look at her to know she was rolling her eyes. Not that she was wrong, either. They probably went to the bar in the hotel and found some game to watch.

“It’s important for them to have time off before the season starts. I can already tell Wyatt is biting at the bit to get back on the ice,” Josie said.

“Bryton is the same way. He’s been driving me crazy being home. I’m not sure how much more hockey talk I can take. Every few minutes, he’s telling me about some team and the stats or certain plays he can’t wait to try out with the guys.” Mila said with a sigh.

“Oh, you’ve gotten the play talk too?” Josie asked. “I love hockey, don't get me wrong, but I don’t need to hear any more trick plays, please.”

“Thank God we love them,” Mila said with an amen following from Josie.

“Margaritas?” a voice spoke above me not even a second later. Opening my eyes, I found a worker from the hotel holding a tray filled with delicious-looking drinks. The margaritas screamedtropicalwith salt on the rim, pineapple on spears sticking out of the blended goodness.

“Oh yes!” Mila stood up and reached for one.

“Thank you.” I smiled at the guy, grabbing one of my own. My last one was long gone, so perfect timing.

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