Page 83 of The Nanny Goal

“I made a healthy version, too.”

He scoffs. “Fuck that, we’re not making the playoffs.”

Alexei’s gaze meets mine, as if to sayI told you so, and I smother a laugh.

Forrest glances between us. “What?”

“Nothing.”

Alexei opens the fridge. “Do you want a beer?”

Forrest shakes his head. “I’m not that checked out yet. Gimme a seltzer water.” He grins after Alexei hands one over. “Thanks. Looking forward to scoring on you tomorrow.”

Alexei gives him a deadpan glare. “Not going to happen. I’ve been studying the Granger weaknesses.”

Forrest laughs.

Alexei doesn’t, and a weird little sizzle skates down my spine.

My brother narrows his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” I say at the same time as Alexei says, “Your sister is a better skater than you. Did you know that?”

I sigh.

Forrest frowns. “Fuck off.”

“The truth hurts,” I say lightly, pushing past Alexei and giving him aleave it alonelook that he immediately ignores.

I’m never going to worry about my brothers’ feelings being hurt—hurting their feelings is a fun sport, after all. But I don’t like conversations that bring up why I quit hockey.

Unfortunately, Alexei doesn’t know that.

He claps Forrest on the shoulder. “Shecan score on me. She came to practice last week and smoked me. You, though…You are slow in comparison and you project your target too clearly. You have no hope.”

My brother swings around to stare at me. “You skated with him?”

“I skate,” I say like it’s no big deal.

“Not with us.”

“You live in Calgary,” I point out. “A city I haven’t visited in…”

Thankfully, Forrest doesn’t notice the hitch in my voice.

Two years.

Alexei notices, though. Of course he does.

From somewhere that’s not right in the kitchen, my phone chimes. I’ve had to turn on sound notifications because Inessa has a habit of running away with my phone now.

“Excuse me,” I say, grateful for the interruption.

“What are you smiling at?” I hear my brother say behind me.

“Your sister,” Alexei says, and I trip over my own feet.

Pivoting, I glare at him.

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