Page 20 of The Puck Daddy

“No, let me guess. We’re just here to hang out. If we run into him, then great,” Felix says, with a smirk. “We’re just trying to see him, maybe chat with him. Or hell, maybe even dig up a little information on him.” “Ahh fuck.” My lips twitch. “We’re totally stalking him.”

Felix cheers. “I knew it!”

“Fine. Fine. Now hush, brat. Please don’t embarrass me.”

We walk up to the front door and let the security guard check our IDs. He places a wristband around my wrist and leaves Felix’s wrist blank, indicating he’s under twenty-one. Since this bar is technically considered on campus, they don’t exclude anyone over the age of eighteen and offer food and non-alcoholic drinks to the underage students.

My eyes adjust to the low lighting and trail over to the bar. Theo is standing there chatting with his co-worker, Kayla. She sees me first and nudges him. Theo’s head pops up, and our eyes meet from across the room. Even from here, my cock jerks at his attention. And when Theo recognizes me, I practically swoon at the wide, happy smile spreading across his lips.

“Is that him? Wait a second, why does he look familiar?” Felix asks, trying to get a better look.

I groan. In all my excitement, I forgot to tell Fe it’s Theo. Damn it. Now my mouth isn’t working, and I’m suddenly feeling shy. What the fuck? I never feel shy. I wanted to tell Felix before we got here so he wouldn’t be so shocked. I want real advice. Not for my little brother to tease me over my celebrity crush.

“Uh, maybe you’ve seen him here before?” I say weakly.

Felix shakes his head. “No, that isn’t it.”

I yank Felix by his arm and usher him toward an open booth. He giggles and places his milkshake on the table before sliding in. “I’m on to you, Aid.”

I plop down on my side of the booth. Before I can explain, Kayla passes Theo the pad of paper to take orders, and suddenly, Theo is walking toward us. He’s no longer smiling. He looks guarded, his eyes bouncing back and forth between Felix and me. Oh crap. It probably looks like we’re on a date.

“Don’t make a big deal about this, okay?” I whisper to my little brother. Images of Felix teasing me throughout the years whenever Adrian was on TV come to mind. Oh, no. Oh no. This was such a bad idea.

“A big deal about what?” Felix bats his lashes innocently, right as Theo stands in front of our booth.

He glances between my brother and me with a small smile, but something about it seems forced. “Hey,” he says casually, making eye contact with me.

My face grows hot under his stare, and all I can do is blink up at him. Internally, I’m screaming at myself to say something, but it’s as if I’m frozen in place. I used to get this way around guys I found attractive, but it’s been years since that happened. Slamming my mouth shut, I just stare up at Theo, knowing that if I say anything in this moment, I’d just word vomit and embarrass myself even more.

Before it can get too awkward, Felix holds his hand out to Theo. “Hey. I’m Felix.”

Theo glances down at my little brother. “Hi, there. I’m Theo.”

“Theo, Theo, Theo. Hmm.” Felix taps an index finger playfully to his chin. “Why do you seem so familiar?”

Theo’s posture changes. He straightens his shoulders as if bracing himself. Maybe he really doesn’t want people to know who he is.

“Are you a hockey fan?”

Felix’s face scrunches up, and it’s as if my awkward bubble of tension pops. I burst into laughter right as Felix speaks. “No. I’m definitelynota fan of hockey. It’s a bunch of neanderthals skating around like ballerinas playing with sticks until one wrong move, and all that caveman aggression comes forth, and suddenly everyone’s fighting or slamming each other into the boards. No, thank you.”

I can’t help myself. I grin at my brother. He’s always had such a crazy imagination.

Theo’s lips twitch. “That’s oddly…accurate. My name is Theo Walsh. I used to play in the NHL.”

Felix flutters his lashes before clarity hits him. Then a slow smile spreads across his lips. “Well, well,” Felix drawls.“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world.”

“Casablanca?” Theo’s intense blue eyes meet mine. “Okay, so you’re the rom-com guy Adrian mentioned. Well, I hope the two of you have a nice night together. Look, my shift is almost over, so what can I get you tw—”

“Felix is my brother,” I blurt. “The rom-com guy I watch movies with? He’s my brother.”

“Ah.” Theo’s whole body seems to relax, and suddenly that lazy, sexy smile is back on his lips. “Your brother.”

I nod eagerly. “My brother.” Theo and I stare at each other for a few moments, and I swear it’s as if we are lost in one another’s gaze. The spell between us only breaks when Felix clears his throat.

“Right,” Theo says. “What can I get you two?”

Since I’m a little tight on funds this week, I order a Shirley Temple, remembering how good it was last time. Just then,my stomach growls. Both Theo and Felix glance down at my stomach, and I bite my lip.

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