Page 1 of Stick Handled

Chapter one

~AVERY~

LAX is loud and crowded. I already can’t wait to get the hell out of here.

“I’ve never flown first-class before,” Sarah muses next to me, scrolling through the dozen pictures she took while we were on the flight. I accidentally spit my gum in her hair in fifth grade and we’ve been best friends ever since, returning from college together. Funny how life works.

“It’s so kind of your brother to upgrade my ticket,” she continues.

“That’s Rowan for you,” I toss back as I scan the passing cars for my brother’s. “He wouldn’t let you fly with a crying baby behind you.”

“I haven’t seen Rowan in so long. If he gets any hotter, I might fold and break the girl code.” She giggles, still looking at her phone.

“Sarah, gross.” I scrunch my nose at the mention of my brother and the word ‘hot’ in the same sentence.

“Would it be so bad to have me as a sister-in-law?” She finally looks up from her phone with a playful glint in her eyes.

“Don’t even make me imagine it,” I reply and feel my phone buzz in my hand.

Blood suddenly rushes in my ears as I stare down at it. My brother's text glares up at me from the screen.

ROWAN:Something urgent came up. I sent Damien to pick you up. 5 minutes.

My stomach tightens.Damien.

I don’t have time to dwell on it before Sarah catches on.

“What’s up?” she asks, her tone breezy as always. Her sleek light brown hair falls perfectly into place, and she’s standing there like she’s posing for imaginary paparazzi. Nothing ever rattles her.

“Rowan can’t make it,” I say, biting down on my lip. “He sent Damien instead.”

Sarah’s eyebrows shoot up. “DamienDamien?”

I nod, feeling the familiar anxiety creep in.

She stares at me for a second, then grins like a cat. “Oh, this is going to be interesting.”

“Don’t,” I mutter, shifting the weight of my bags. The last thing I need is her poking at this. “Don’t start.”

“Damien,” she purrs. “He’s all over the media right now. The man is a walking thirst trap. Have you seen all the edits of him on the ice?”

“I haven’t,” I blurt out, tasting the lie on my tongue. Damien is… Damien. Rowan’s best friend, the guy who probably hasn’t thought about me twice since the last time I tripped over my own feet in front of him.

“You should use the opportunity,” she says in a tone like she’s giving me advice on which shoes to buy. “You wanted to feel more confident with men. A summer fling with one of the most successful andhothockey players in the world right now might be what you need.”

“I know you did not just suggest that to me.” My mouth falls open. Did she just suggest I flirt with one of my brother’s best friends?

“You need to toughen up and come out of your shell a little—your words, not mine. Just test the waters. See if you can finally flirt without combusting.” She nudges my shoulder with her own.

I roll my eyes, but my pulse kicks up a notch when I spot a black G-Wagon pulling up outside. I don’t know enough about cars to recognize the model, but I know it’s the kind that’s built for power and looks as dangerous as the man getting out of it.

My heart hammers in my chest as Damien’s huge silhouette comes into view.

He doesn’t just walk. He owns the space like it’s bending to him. His black shirt clings to muscles that definitely weren’t that defined the last time I saw him. People immediately turn their heads his way, whispering and pulling out their phones to take pictures of him. And when his eyes—hazel with flecks of gold and green—land on me, they do that thing. That casual, detached sweep like he’s assessing the situation, and everything in it is his to play with.

I swallow hard. I’m not prepared for this car ride.

Sarah leans in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “If you don’t make a move, I will.”

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