Page 138 of Brace and Chase

“Oh,” he says, sounding absentminded. “For a job at a law firm.”

Law firm?

“You should go back in,” I admonish him.

Him getting a job is more important than this. Though I have no idea where he’s been living all this time... and that’s just another stab to my heart. I didn’t know he was a lawyer. Does that mean he’s still in college? How the hell has he been paying for it? I guess if he saved all the money I sent him for all these years he could’ve paid for it, but still…

“No.” His voice snaps me out of that self-pity downward spiral I was going down. “They were total assholes, it’s fine. Why, uh... Why did you call?”

I sigh, deciding the best way to handle this is to focus on what’s important.

I saw the messages coming through—about ten every second—when Charlie told his family through text, but he was right when he said I’d call Max when I was ready, and I’ve never been one to delay the inevitable, so I just go for it.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all I’ve missed, I’m sorry for leaving you alone, I’m sorry that I didn’t understand that I could forgive you until now, but I’m not calling about that. I just wanted you to hear it from me. I have a boyfriend, and there’s a picture of us holding hands coming out tonight. So yeah, just wanted you to not be surprised by that,” I finish lamely.

“Fuck, Niko, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” I ask, confused.

“I’m sorry they’re outing you,” he says like I’m slow.

“Oh yeah, well. That’s fine. It’s just annoying.”

“I bet,” he muses. “Thank you for calling me. Are you happy with him?” The question surprises me.

“Yes, I am.” I tell him truthfully. And since I know from his texts he always watches my games, I know he’ll understand. “It’s Charlie Heart.”

“I had a feeling,” he says.

“What feeling?” I demand.

“Well, the way you defended him in that game in LA, I just thought you guys must be close.”

“You have no idea,” I say smugly and in a leering tone.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting,” he snaps at me, and I laugh.

It feels damn good to laugh with my little brother again.

“Anyway, I... I need to get ready for the game tonight.” Suddenly I need the call to be over. I need to step back.

“I’m glad you’ll be on the ice again. They’re not the same without you.” His words surprise me, and despite myself, I’m flattered.

“Thank you, but they won the first round in four games. They’ve been doing just fine without me.”

“Maybe, but you make the game more fun to watch.” I can hear the smile in his tone, so it’s jarring when it changes so suddenly to anger. “Except when you’re taking pucks to the fucking head and making me lose my mind with worry.”

I wince, only now thinking what that must’ve been like for him.

“Not doing that again,” I assure him, because I don’t know what else to say.

“You better not, and you make sure that Heart takes care of you too, out there.”

“I’ll tell him you said so,” I murmur, a small smile tilting my lips.

“You told him about me?” he asks, clearly surprised.

“Yeah, he’s the one who wrote to you after my injury.” There’s no time right now to get into how Charlie found out about him. But somehow, I know there will be a time. Eventually.

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