Page 123 of Brace and Chase

I can’t deny I like it, though, and that coming after whatfeels like an eternity of begging is always more explosive and satisfying. But I’m never admitting that to him.

It’s a stark reminder of our reality, though, when Gab comes into the gym an hour in.

“And this is where you can find them if they’re not on the ice or in the locker room,” she’s telling someone behind her, and suddenly I feel like I just went back in time thirty years.

“Oh,” Gab says, clearly surprised when she sees us next to the rack of free weights. “I didn’t know anyone was in here. But it’s just as well.” She smiles warmly at us—both of us—and isn’t that convenient. She hasn’t talked to Nik since she fucking benched him two weeks ago and now she’s smiling like nothing’s wrong?

“Silas, these are Santa and Sweetheart?—”

“King Charles,” Nik interrupts her.

“What?” she asks, clearly confused.

“He has a new nickname.” And that’s all the explanation he’s going to give it seems.

Gab recovers quickly.

“All right, then,” she drawls, and rolls her eyes. “Nikolay Brotnik and Charlie Heart,” she amends. “This is Silas Wayne.”

“Uh, yeah,” I deadpan. “You look just like your father.” I walk over and offer him a hand.

“A fan, I take it?” he asks with an amused smile.

“Isn’t everyone?” Nik pipes up and shakes his hand as well.

“That’s what I hear,” Silas says simply. “I also hear my sister gave you a hard time just the other day,” he tells me, with a crooked smirk that shows just how funny he finds that.

“Well,” I drawl. “I am a fan.”

“She tried to get into your head, huh? She’s sneaky like that.”

Nik grumbles next to me and Silas just laughs at him.

“Anyway,” Gab says, wanting to get back on track. “Silas is our new head of PR. He came highly recommended by Sterling’s guy, so I expect you two to do everything he says.”

Nik scoffs, clearly about to riot, but Silas puts him at ease.

“Not to worry. I know you don’t do interviews.”

“Good.”

God, he’s so grumpy.

“But you.” He turns to me. “Reporters love you. As do the fans.”

“Fans love me too,” Nik grumbles.

“You’re such a child,” I admonish, then turn back to Silas. “I’ll be happy to help any way I can.”

“That’s what I love to hear,” Gab cheers and claps her hands once. “Now if you’ll excuse us, I’m still giving him the grand tour.”

“Silas Wayne,” Nik whispers in wonder when they walk out the door.

“I know.” I shake my head. “Wonders never cease.”

“It’s gonna get interesting,” he says cryptically, and I don’t get a chance to ask him why he thinks so because a couple of our teammates arrive.

But an hour later when we’re on the ice ready to get this practice started, I learn what he means.

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