Page 15 of Brace and Chase

“I hope it won’t be as creepy as it sounds,” one of them says with a very happy smile. I like her.

“It’s not,” Mom assures her. “Charlie,” she says then, and gives me another pointed look.

“Oh, right. I’m Charlie Heart.” Now I think that’s everything my mother taught me Ihaveto say when I meet someone new.

“I’m Kelly,” the shorter and nice one with the black hair says.

“And I’m Michelle. We’re just next door.” The taller one points to her back to indicate which house she means. “And yeah, we wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.” She shrugs and offers me a more subdued smile, but still very genuine. Then she throws an arm over Kelly and looks down at her with so much love I can instantly see it, practically feel it for myself.

“We’re huge hockey fans, and we didn’t know you were our neighbor when we brought the pie, we swear. But we just wanna say from all the Pirates fans, we’re so happy you’re here.” There’s a cheer in Kelly’s voice that makes me smile at her.

“Thank you,” I tell her. I don’t think she could possibly know how much her words mean to me. It’s just the reminder I need of how happy we make our fans, and how big an impact we can have in their lives. “I can get you tickets for tomorrow night if you want,” I offer immediately.

“We can’t tomorrow,” Kelly says with an adorable pout. “We have to work.”

“But we’ll gladly take that offer for any other home game,” Michelle is quick to pipe in.

“What do you do for work?” I ask them.

“We’re the choreographers for a show at the Certon Resort.”

“That’s so cool,” I tell them, impressed. “Which one? Let me write it down so I don’t forget to check it out.” I reach for my phone and write down all the details they give me. “Next time I have an off day during the weekend, I’ll be there.”

“Actually, it’s a good thing they can’t,” Mom says, and we all turn to her.

“Why?”

“Because you have no more tickets left to give for tomorrow’s opener.” Her tiny mischievous smile makes my mouth drop open.

“They’re . . .” I can’t even finish the question.

“Yes, honey. Most of the family is coming to watch you play your first game with the Pirates.”

Tears well in my eyes instantly, and I feel my cheeks tremble as my throat closes with emotion.

Maybe it will all be all right. With the whole Heart clan with me, how could it not?

SEVEN

SANTA

I start jumping lightlyon my feet in front of my cubby like I do before every single game. It’s easy and doesn’t take a lot of room, so it’s always been my preferred way of warming up before we go out for the actual warmups on the ice.

What’s different, of course, is the asshole in the cubby next to mine who’s tapping his feet to an unheard tune in his head. That’s right, he’s such a weirdo that he’s not even wearing any headphones and none of the younger guys have put on their playlist today.

It’s getting on my nerves and I can’t let it.

I can’t let him see that anything about him has an effect on me. I don’t want to hear another fucking tap, though. I really don’t. I...

“Stop that fucking shit,” I finally snap. And okay, itdidn’t take long, but come the fuck on. I’m trying to get in the zone here before I put my skates on.

Heart opens his eyes slowly, as if coming out of a trance or something, and he turns his head up toward me like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Stop what?” he asks as if he doesn’t know. He even furrows his brow like he’s confused. Yeah right, I’m not buying it.

“Stop tapping your feet like you’re on speed or something.” I make an effort to whisper because I don’t want anyone else hearing the words coming out of my mouth.

He only stares at me for an uncomfortably long moment and then shakes his head.

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