Page 48 of Stick Handled

If anything, it digs deeper, settling in like it’s got a right to stay.

Practice is brutal, exactly how we like it. The team’s split into squads, but it’s not a game so much as an all-out brawl. Coach’s blowing his whistle every few seconds, barking orders while we circle the ice, each of us eyeing the others, ready to pounce. The big game’s coming up, and there’s no way we’re holding back.

Rowan’s running the drills today—power plays and quick breaks. His passes are clean, no hesitation, snapping across the ice to hit our sticks dead-on. There’s no other center I’d trust to see the gaps and exploit them, slipping the puck right through before the defenders even know what hit them.

Ares skates up on my right side, quick as hell, like he’s telegraphing he’ll cut left, and then he pivots, drawing two defenders toward him. I’ve already broken to the right, opening a lane just long enough for Rowan to see and send the puck flying. It’s a tight, risky play, the kind we don’t mess around with in a real game unless we’re desperate, but damn if it doesn’t feel good in practice.

“Keep it tight, boys!” Coach Brown’s voice booms. He wants us gritty and hungry, and we’re giving him exactly that. The ice is ours right now, and every pass, every shot, is another taste of the rush that’s waiting in the game.

Ares catches up with me as I spin, maneuvering out of the defender’s reach and whipping the puck back to him with a flick of my wrist. He’s got a killer wrist shot, deadly accurate, like everything he does, but he’s already got his eyes on me. He’s charging toward me, and I see it a split second too late, not expecting it. He slams into my shoulder, and I’m sent flying into the boards. My helmet cracks against the plexiglass, and I see Ares as he slides up beside me.

He leans in low enough that no one else can hear, his deep voice a low growl. “What would have happened if she walked downstairs?”

There’s nothing playful about his tone; it’s sharp, a warning I’d be stupid to ignore. But I look right back, matching his glare. “She’s not that stupid.” There’s no point in trying to hide it from him. There’s no point in trying to hide anything from Ares.

“That makes one of you.” His eyes narrow, a flicker of that dangerous heat flaring up. I look around to find Rowan looking at us, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“Not in here, Ares,” I growl as I shove back against him, tapping my stick against his.

He gives a dark laugh, shaking his head, and we both skate back into the chaos of practice, adrenaline pumping, the thrill of it all twisting into something sharper. We’re not just teammates here; we’re rivals, brothers who are willing to hit as hard as it takes to be the best. But Ares is on my ass the entire time, breathing down my neck, making sure I feel the pressure of his gaze. He’s offended I ignored his first warning, and he’s fucking pissed at me for putting him in a situation where his loyalty has to be split between his two best friends. I get it. And I know him. He won’t let me off the hook until I come clean.

Chapter seventeen

~AVERY~

I wake up, blink, and instantly know something’s off. This bed isn’t mine. It’swaytoo big, and the pillow smells… masculine.

Oh, God.

The realization crashes down, a mess of thrill and panic tangling in my chest as I remember. Damien. Last night.Allof last night. I bury my face in the pillow, like that’s somehow going to help, but all I do is inhale more of his intoxicating scent. The whole bed smells like him. My body’s got its own embarrassing reminder—hello, soreness. Every tiny move feels like a highlight reel of everything we did, except in painfully clear HD. This wasn’t just some random hookup. This was me… not being a virgin anymore. Withhim.

I press my hands to my cheeks, feeling them go traitorously hot.My first time.I never thought my first time having sex would be with a pro athlete, let alone Damien. And yet, I’m trying so hard not to smile because here I am, feeling bruised in the best way after a night with Damien. And this isn’t just any guy; this is my brother’s best friend.

And I let him do all that to me. With me.

The weird part? I can’t even bring myself to feel guilty. Instead, I feel like I’m in on this insane secret, one that only I get to hold, stamped into my bones. I mean,me,actually being withhim.Damien.My heart stumbles a little as I force myself to move, trying not to wince.

I sit up, hoping the world won’t split in half as I check my phone, praying there’s no “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?” message from Rowan. I mean, slipping back to my room in daylight? Not ideal.

Please don’t let him have noticed.

When I open my messages, though, there’s a text from him, and my pulse skips.

Rowan: I tried knocking on your door, but it seems like you’re still sleeping. We’re off to practice.

Okay, he has no clue.Breathing out, I close the text and lean my head back against the headboard.

Then, I spot another message from Damien. Just his name showing on my screen has my heart picking up, but I hesitate before reading it, bracing myself for… I don’t even know what.

Damien:Didn’t want to wake you. We’re headed to practice. Make yourself at home. You can wear something of mine if you don’t feel like putting on yesterday’s clothes. Don’t worry about locking up when you go back to Rowan’s. Text me if you need anything.

I can feel the grin behind his words, teasing and playful, but there’s also an undertone that makes my stomach flutter. There’s a gentleness in there.Didn’t want to wake you.He could’ve just laughed it off and made some smug joke, but he’s actually… soft? Damien has a sweet side, and it’s aimed atme?

I read his text again, biting my lip against a smile. He even suggested I wear his clothes. And now I want to.

The beach is breezy but sunny, perfect weather for hiding under my baseball cap and Damien’s oversized T-shirt while I spill my guts over an iced coffee and chocolate-dipped cone. Sarah, meanwhile, is perched across from me in full glam mode, like she’s ready for a paparazzi ambush any second.

I’m sitting there, trying not to sink into my seat, as she stares at me like I just admitted to robbing a bank. She’s silent for a full thirty seconds before she finally speaks up.

---