Page 117 of Brace and Chase

That was so fucking weird, but whatever.

I’ve always had a good enough relationship with Chicago’s front office, so I’m not worried. Since my first year in the league, they’ve agreed to let me have more than a few tickets when I play here so my family can come watch me.

I’ve kept that tradition up, and for years their head of PR has emailed me about how many I’ll need that season when the schedules are announced. This year was no different even though I’m playing for another team, and Mom gladly gave hers up so Lou could come with Finn and Beau.

I’m excited about the game, sure. The Chicago crowds love me despite my never having played here as a Pirates player, but it’s after the game that I’m most excited for.

I’m going to show Nik my home, he’s gonna meet myfamily, and we’re finally going to tell someone else that we’re together. Once that’s done I don’t know how I’m going to resist telling the whole world, but Nik had the great idea of telling Michelle and Kelly as soon as we’re back home to give ourselves that little treat at least.

I fucking love that he thought of that, that we’re so in sync, that he’s also excited about meeting my family.

And too early or not, I fear I mightlovehim.

THIRTY-FOUR

NIK

I lineup in the tunnel, at the back with only Bear behind me, and the knowledge that the roadie is almost over gives me all the strength I need. And if I happen to need more during the game, the excitement of finally seeing the place Charlie grew up in would do.

Meeting his family now . . .

I’m excited about it, of course I am. But I’m more nervous.

Waaay beyond nervous.

It was one thing meeting his brothers—that happened in an unplanned way and I didn’t have the time to really think about what it meant. Charlie and I had been hooking up for only two weeks then.

This time the anticipation is killing me, and not in a good way.

The crowd boos the second Jules steps onto the ice, andI can’t help but smile. I love hockey fans, they’re a little bit insane, just like me.

But strangely, the booing stops and cheers go up in the stands when Charlie steps onto the rink right before me.

I glide onto the ice behind him and frown when I see Charlie waving at the crowd like a pageant queen.

He even claps back at them... What the hell? I’ve never had this happen anywhere. It is his hometown, I get that, but still.

They really love him.

After his victory lap he goes over to the net to stretch with Bear, something he started after he got back on the ice in Seattle, and my grumpy best friend doesn’t seem to mind, weirdly enough.

I go about my business and start on my two laps around the rink, getting my head focused on hockey and nothing but hockey.

I barely see my teammates warming up with me, until someone in the crowd across the ice catches my eyes.

It’s Lou, and he’s looking around happily when a stupid fuck bumps into him, and he was looking right at Finn’s boyfriend, so I know it was on purpose. I take my time going over, waiting to see how Lou reacts—who knows, it could be some weird friend—but then I see him flinch when the stupid fuck raises his palm, and I see red.

Slimeball doesn’t get the memo, and he taps his stupid hand to Lou’s now pale cheek just as I get there and slam the boards with all my strength.

The people around them all gasp in surprise, or maybe horror at my reaction, but I keep my enraged eyes on the stupid fuck.

With his attention on me, and damn does it feel good to see fear in his eyes, Lou manages to step back from his clutches.

“Fuck. Off,” I snap at the idiot. His eyes open wide and I see a tremor go through his body, but he doesn’t go the fuck away. “No?” I ask quietly, threateningly. “You need me to come out there and show you the way out?” I shout at him.

I feel Charlie stop next to me, but I don’t take my eyes off the stupid fuck who dared touch Lou. After a second, he pats my shoulder and moves away, so my guess is he’s going to find someone to get this motherfucker out of the arena.

If they’re not fast enough, though, I’m gonna make good on my words.

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