Page 109 of The Puck Stops Here

‘Whatever you’ve said to Blake, whatever magic you’ve imparted, thank you.’

‘I haven’t done anything.’

‘That’s not how I see it. Something’s changed since you came along. He’s different.’

‘In a good way?’

‘In the best way.’

He pulled her in, squishing her to his chest, and it reminded her of the overzealous hug she’d once given him. Only this time, she was the one stunned still. Her eyes found Blake’s. He was back in the thick of the celebrations, but his eyes were on her, watching her, watching them. Her heart returned to her throat.

‘So, thank you!’ Aiden released her. ‘Sleep well.’

‘And you,’ she said on autopilot, forcing her body to do her bidding and leave while her head and heart floundered on it all.

Aiden. His gratitude. The karma. And Blake.AlwaysBlake.

* * *

‘What was that all about?’

Blake frowned at his brother who looked even smugger post Astrid hug.

‘Nothing.’

‘It didn’t look like nothing.’

Aiden gave him the side eye as he took a swig of beer. ‘Jealous?’

He grunted and his brother laughed. ‘Lighten up, bro, we’ve got a win to celebrate.’

And then he disappeared into the foray, his cheer drawing the team all around into a chant loud enough for the entire arena to hear. Blake looked back to the exit. To where she’d been stood… feeling her presence even though she was gone. Feeling the effect of that embrace too. His brother didn’t give affection easily. Yet, there he’d been, hugging the life out of her.

‘Come on, Pretty Boy!’ Larsson punched him in the arm. ‘You’re lagging!’

He gave a choked laugh. ‘Alright, alright, take it easy, Big Man!’

With one last look at the exit, he raked a hand through his hair and turned back to the throng. ‘Chuck us a beer, Harry.’

He caught it mid-air, twisted off the cap and knocked it back though it failed to hit the spot. He had a feeling nothing would hit the spot. Nothing but a certain brunette with honey-gold eyes and a body that rocked the Titans’ jersey.

He eyed the bottle and realised how much he hadn’t missed it last night. Astrid’s suggestion that he lose his negativity in the virtual world had worked.

Though if he was honest, his focus had only half been onStreet Fighter, the rest had been on her and the questions she had raised over his life, the way he chose to live it, and the way he should be proud enough to stand apart from his bro. And the more he thought about it, the more he knew she was right.

He’d also woken that morning with a clearer head and an extra kick in his veins… a kick that had more to do with her attending the game, than the game itself.

And what was that about? The game was his life, Astrid was… he had no clue, but it was big, and it ran deep. Too deep to be ignored.

As for his brother… if she had the power to make Blake feel this way about her, did she have the power to make the Ice King feel the same? And if so, what the hell did he do now?

17

The Titans weren’t the only ones on a winning streak, a week later Bella joined the ranks of the victorious. Chase Miller had got his comeuppance. Astrid had been avenged and in spectacular fashion too!

Last night, the girls had celebrated. Drank champagne and talked until their voices grew hoarse. But as happy as Astrid had been, post-PMDD and high on payback, she’d also been forced to come clean about her own failings. At least where Aiden was concerned… not Blake.

They couldn’t know about Blake. Astrid didn’twantto know about Blake. He made her feel too much. Want too much.

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