Page 72 of Defensive Zone

His eyes widen in surprise. “Wow. Maybe this move has been good for him?”

“Yeah, maybe.”

I hope so. I know we haven’t always gotten along, but I do want the best for my brother. So, I hope this move to Toronto works out well for him.

We wait until the first intermission before leaving so I can say goodbye to the guys and reassure them that I’m okay, and as we head down the corridor and pass the visitors’ locker room, I stop in my tracks when I see Brody step out.

“Hey, lil’ bro,” he says, a sheepish smile on his face.

We couldn’t be any more different. His hair is cut short on the sides with only a few inches of length on top. His eyes are brown, matching our dad’s. He’s a few inches shorter and a hell of a lot lighter than me too.

“Hey.”

Nothing could have prepared me for Brody wrapping his arms around me in a hug. This is the first time I think he hugged me since he was drafted at eighteen, and that was only because it was being aired on national TV and he had to keep up appearances.

I eye Carter over Brody’s shoulder as I return the hug, and his expression tells me he’s just as shocked as I am.

When Brody takes a step back, he runs a hand through his damp hair and lets out a shaky exhale. “I know I haven’t always been a good brother to you, and I’m really sorry for everything. I just… Fuck.” His voice cracks as he looks up at the ceiling, as if the concrete beams will give him answers. “If I hadn’t been such an asshole to you over the years, maybe I could have been there for you through all of this. I didn’t realize how severe your concussion was. I didn’t know that it was still impacting you like this, and I wish there was something I could do to help.”

My mouth drops open as I blink at my older brother. If it weren’t for Carter standing beside me, I would think I’m imagining it.

My brother just… apologized.

Tome.

I didn’t think he was capable of showing remorse toward me.

“I appreciate that, Brody. I’m doing okay in the grand scheme of things. Yeah, I struggle with migraines, but I’m okay.” I squeeze his bicep and clear my throat. “Thanks for this. It means a lot.”

He nods a few times, rolling his lips between his teeth. The door to the locker room opens, and he thumbs over his shoulder. “I better get back in there.”

“Yeah… It was good to see you.”

He nods again, then looks at Carter. “It’s about time you realized he’s the best thing to ever happen to you.”

Carter’s eyes light up in a smile as they meet mine. “I know. I’m one lucky guy.”

“You are. Make sure you look after him.”

“Always have, always will,” Carter replies.

Brody smiles, then disappears back into the locker room.

“Whoa,” Carter says in disbelief as we make our way to the parking lot. “Who would’ve thought the day would come when he acknowledged he has been an asshole to you?”

I shrug, taking his hand in mine. “I didn’t, but I’m glad he did. Like you said, maybe the trade has been the best thing that could happen to him.”

We’re quiet as Carter drives us back to my apartment. I close my eyes, resting my head against the headrest, and twenty minutes later, we’re in my bedroom. Carter closes the blackout curtains as I strip out of my clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor before climbing under the duvet as he quickly gets undressed and slips under the covers with me.

On instinct, I curl into him. Reveling in his body heat and the feel of his warm skin against mine and the prickly hair on his legs as he thrusts his thigh between mine. He wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to my forehead, and my eyes burn at the tender move.

“I’m sick of feeling like this, Carter.” My voice breaks as I allow my emotions from the night to come to the surface. “I’m sick of these headaches. I’m sick of them impacting my game.”

“I know, baby. I wish there was something I could do to make it better for you.”

“But what if they don’t go away? I don’t know if I’m ready to give up hockey just yet.”

I always thought I would retire on my terms. Right now, I’m not so sure, and I don’t know how to feel about that.

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