Page 66 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

Scrubbing my face, I growl and put the car in drive, making my way to the arena. Frustration at myself evident from the tightness that grips my shoulders.

There wasn’t anything wrong with the question and her tone was teasing. But it dredged up this anxiety that it’s only a matter of time before my heart gets splintered into a million pieces. I know I’m being ridiculous, yet I can’t dispel this irrational fear.

Nothing about the time we spend together feels like faking. That smile wasn’t ‘covering something up’. And the Ava I know has always been honest and straightforward…even when she knew it would hurt.

I’m nearly positive she wouldn’t play with my emotions when we’re alone if she didn’t have feelings for me. But you see there’s the conundrum—I haven’t forgotten the soul crushing pain that nearly destroyed me last time.

David nailed it earlier. When I moved to Florida, I hid out until I could get my emotions under control. Until the only thing I lived and breathed for was hockey. For years it worked.

Until I heard about her break-up.

With those words, all the memories I had buried came rushing back. The box I put my feelings for Ava in somehow found their way out of the safe I had them in. And I was faced with the realization that I had lied to myself.

I never stopped loving her, I just figured out how to function without her.

Shaking my hand through my hair, the truth kicks me in the stomach.

I am not an insecure person. I go after what I want and don’t take no for an answer. In fact, Ava might be the only thing I’ve wanted in my life, and I walked away from it at the first ‘no’. And it’s haunted me ever since.

The game doesn’t start for another few hours. I could’ve taken the time to talk to Ava and clear the air. But nooo…I had to freak out.

Clenching the steering wheel, I groan.

My phone rings through the car speakers, and my heart jumps out of my chest, only to plummet immediately when I see Finn’s name.

Blowing out a massive sigh, I answer.

“Hey Finn,” I grumble.

“Is my favorite goalie tired?” I roll my eyes at the question. “Tea timespilled some very interesting news this morning.”

“From the fundraiser yesterday?” I scrub my eyes and squeeze the bridge of my nose as I park in the players' lot. “That’s good. Maybe some of the dogs will find new families.”

“They definitely talked about that.” Finn’s voice is filled with amusement and I find myself glaring at the phone screen. “But also about this morning and something about baking.”

“This morning?” My brows pull together and my stomach dips before I groan. “It’s not like that. We ate dinner, watched a movie, and fell asleep on the couch.”

“You and Ava are adults and what you do is none of my business.” He then dares to laugh out loud. “I’m just spilling the tea.”

Rolling my eyes, I run my hand up and down my face muttering. “Great. Just great.”

“It’s not a big deal. People know you’re a couple—”

“Pretending to be a…”

“Are you telling me the two of you haven’t talked yet?” He roars through the phone. Dropping my head on the steering wheel, my stomach clenches, I don’t say anything. “Did you at least have a conversation with David?”

“Yes,” I mumble.

“You know you’re ridiculously stubborn, right? I mean it’s what makes you great in your career, but seriously?”

“Are you done lecturing me?” I lean back against the seat, clenching my jaw, eyes squeezed shut.

“Not even close.” It’s a rare day when I get this version of Finn. It’s like being talked to by your grandparent who has finally had enough of your stupidity. It’s not undeserved, I’m acting like a fool. “There isn’t one person who’s seen you and Ava together, whether in person or through pictures, that thinks the two of you arefakingit. Heck, even youdon’tbelieve it! What is going on here?”

Taking a deep breath, tightness grips my chest at the thought of being honest about this. Rubbing my hand around my heart.

Pausing, I exhale when what he said about baking hits me and my body pushes off of the seat. “Wait! Did you sayTea Timementionedbaking?”

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