Page 117 of The Puck Stops Here

He shook his head. All this time he’d been driving himself half crazy over his brother and Astrid, and his brother had been playing at his own matchmaking game.

‘Just let it go.’

‘Not a chance. You guys have got something, something that’s managed to put the right kind of spark in your eye and set you on a decent path too. If you’ve had some kind of argument, grow some balls and talk it out, don’t give her the silent treatment.’

‘Wow. You’re telling me not to give a girl the silent treatment.’

His brother stiffened. ‘That was ten years ago, Blake.’

‘Yeah, well, doesn’t mean I don’t remember the constant calls and your stubborn refusal to pick up. Seemed to serve you alright, so excuse me while I do the same.’

‘That was different.’

‘Yeah, you’re right,youwere in love.’

His brother blanched and Blake cursed. ‘Sorry, bro.’ He raked a hand through his hair, took a breath. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’

‘No. You shouldn’t have.’

Aiden shifted back in his seat and Blake searched for something to say, something to fix it, but nothing could. Not when he’d been the one to force his brother’s hand. To make him leave not just their home, but his teenage sweetheart too.

And his brother had never met another woman capable of touching him in the same way. Blake had ruined that for him… perhaps even ruined it for good.

‘Instead of throwing Sienna back in my face,’ his brother said quietly, ‘maybe you ought to realise that what I went through with her makes me the person to listen to now when I tell you, don’t do it. Whatever’s going on between you both, it’s something worth exploring not walking away from.’

He gave a choked scoff, wanting to dismiss it, wanting to tell his brother he didn’t have a clue becausehewas the reason there was nothing to explore. Astrid had made it clear which of them she wanted.

But then his brother wasn’t just referring to Astrid’s feelings, he was referring to Blake’s and as much as Blake wanted to say he was wrong there too, he knew he wasn’t.

And wanting a woman who wanted someone else – someone more deserving and someone he’d willingly lay down his life for – that wasn’t just a reason to walk away.

It was a reason to run.

* * *

Astrid stared at the words on her screen, the opening to the article that she had rewritten several times now and still didn’tfeel.She was getting nowhere.

How could she possibly write about the twins when one refused to speak to her and the other was blissfully unaware of everything? It was killing her mojo. Guilt for Blake. Guilt for Chase. Guilt for continuing to fail Sissi.

She checked the time in the top corner of her screen. The Titans should be landing in Dallas any moment now, their game against the Stars taking them away for a couple of days and giving Blake ever more reason to avoid her.

Her phone buzzed beside her laptop, and she snapped it up, praying for Blake and seeing Aiden.

Aiden

You free for a lesson early hours Saturday, before the arena opens to the public?

She gave a weak smile as she typed:

Astrid

I’d love to. Thank you.

Aiden

Great. See you 7a.m. sharp.

Astrid

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