Page 63 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

“I decided it was okay. I also remembered how much Fiona loved everything about me playing. Every moment she celebrated my wins, she made sacrifices to support where I was. She was okay sharing my love of baseball with my love for her and our life together.”

Closing my eyes, I let his words sink in. I still don’t know how I will do what he says, but I finally understand what he’s saying. I decided long ago to do whatever was necessary to become a professional hockey player.

Now I need to decide that I want to keep being one. Regardless of whatever is happening with outside circumstances. Tightness grips my chest as fear runs rampant. But can I do this?

“If I can do it, Duncan, you can do it. Just decide it will be okay,” David answers the question I’m asking internally. “Regardless of what happens, itwillbe okay. Let your focus be where you are and in the present moment. Don’t let any other possibilities creep in. Just play your game. The rest will fall into place.”

Blowing out a breath, I put toothpaste on my toothbrush and begin brushing my teeth.

This simple decision to not let my teeth rot confirms what David said, but I’m still unsure how to implement it where Ava and hockey are concerned.

Just decide. Just decide. Just decide.

Shaking my head I chuckle at myself, but then my hand freezes in my mouth and my eyes round.

What if Avadecides, again, that I’m not the one for her?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ava

Stretchinglikeacatsunbathing, a grin spreads across my face at the sound of Duncan moving in the other room.

A tingling sensation runs through my body, and I can’t stop thinking about how it felt to have his arms around me and the warmth from his strong body supporting me. My cheeks pull up further and I swear they’re going to crack.

“Duncan,” I whisper, shaking my head and pulling on my bottom lip, a snort escapes.

There’s no more denying that I am utterly infatuated with the brooding hockey player, my best friend’s younger brother.

Giggling, I throw the blanket over my head and let out a little squeal.

“Everything okay out there?” Duncan calls through the door, his husky voice sending a thrill to my toes.

“Completely fine,” I say, ripping the blanket off my head and doing my best to calm my racing heart. “Just getting up.”

Inhaling and slowly blowing out a breath, I sit up, push off the cushion and stand. Reaching for the blanket, I fold it and place it over the back of the couch. Tossing the pillow in the corner, and then straightening it, I make my way to the kitchen. I comb my fingers through my knotted hair as I go.

Catching a glimpse of my appearance in the mirror hanging in the hallway, I groan. Not washing my face before falling asleep has me looking like a raccoon, and my hair looks like someone spent hours teasing it.

The fact that Duncan saw me like this has my stomach swirling. Licking my finger, I remove the smudged mascara from under my eyes. Then I do my best to smooth my wild hair. Staring at my reflection, I sigh. I wish I looked more put together before seeing Duncan in a little bit, but then I remember he saw me like this when he woke up.

Planting a palm on my forehead, I grumble and sigh. “The real me is not as glamorous as the screen me.” I shrug.

Despite my appearance, I all but skip into the kitchen. Heading over to the counter, the first thing on my list is to find the coffee. Making my way down all the cabinets, I come up empty. It’s not until I check the fridge that I see a can sitting on the door shelves.

“Hmmm…Duncan keeps his coffee in here? Interesting.” I’ve heard cases supporting this and against it. But I’ve also heard putting it in the freezer is best. My lips pull up at my random thoughts. Regardless, I’m curious to see what his reasoning is.

Taking the coffee out, I bring it to the countertop and put it down. Looking back over the counter, I search for the coffee maker. Spotting it against the wall, I reach out, tug it in the middle of the counter and fill the carafe with water.

Once the coffee has started, I head back to the cabinet where I remember seeing mugs and pull out two.

“Does Duncan drink coffee?” I mumble to myself, only to have my heart lodge in my throat when his deep voice responds.

“No, I don’t.”

Turning to him with my hand covering my chest, my mouth hanging open. My heart falls and starts to race. Seeing him makes my stomach swoop and my knees feel like jelly. Standing in front of me is the most sexy, rumpled version of Duncan I’ve ever seen.

Or maybe I’ve just never noticed before.How could Inothave noticed?

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