Page 109 of Play to Win

“Why is that great?”

“Obviously you two have a strong relationship if he can be that honest with you.”

“Oh.Yeah.Théo is an honest person.”

“Yeah.He is.Of course he is.”

Annoyance flares inside me.“You know, Théo hasn’t exactly had things easy his whole life.”

JP looks up at me.“You mean his injury.”

“Well, yeah, that was a pretty big blow.Especially to a guy people didn’t believe could play professional hockey.”

“Everyone always knew he’d play in the NHL.He’s a Wynn.”

“Theydidn’talways know that,” I say quietly.“Hedidn’t always know that.You know about the kids that made fun of him when he was young.But maybe not about the hockey coaches who didn’t want him on their teams.”

“What?”He frowns.“Didn’t want him on their teams?”

I nod.“Yes.Your parents probably sheltered you from that.”

“Shit.”His eyebrows pull together.“Ididknow about the bullying.I stuck up for him when kids called him names and made fun of him.I was two years younger though, and some of those kids were big.Once I got in an actual fistfight.”He grimaces.“I took a shit kicking.”

“You did that for Théo?”I gaze at him in awe.

“Yeah.He’s my brother.”

I press a hand to my heart, my eyes brimming with tears.“You two really need to talk.”

“You think?”He meets my eyes.“I had to find out ...if it was true or not that Emma had ended things with him.Because then she lied to me ...twice.”

“Are you in love with her?”My heart beats faster, hoping he’s not, because damn, this woman has really messed things up for two brothers who really love each other.

He closes his eyes and exhales sharply.“I don’t know.”

I set a hand on his shoulder.“I’m sorry.It hurts.”

The door opens and Théo walks in.

He stops short at seeing us.His face goes stiff, his mouth a harsh line.“What the hell is going on here?”

I jump up.“Théo!You’re not supposed to be here.”

He scowls.“I can’t fucking believe this.”He glares at his brother.“What the fuck, JP?”

JP stands.“Théo.”

“Why are you back?”I rush over to hug him, happy to see him but confused.

He shakes his head, his face rigid, his expression forbidding.He steps back from me.

I stop, my heart lurching.“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?”He waves a hand at me, then JP.“What’s wrong?”This comes out as a near bellow.

Oh.Oh no.He doesn’t think ...oh my God.“No, no, Théo.”I grab his arm.“It’s not what you think.”

“Where have I heard that before?”he snaps.“Fuck this.”He turns and heads back to the door.

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