Page 5 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

I ignore my tension for a moment as I remember David wearing a massive grin and Duncan with his typical stoic expression. The one he wears for the world to see. But if you look closely, you’ll find a slight sparkle in his green eyes.

That’s how it’s always been. Duncan looking bored and uninterested unless you—

“Nathan will figure that out at some point,” Caroline says, interrupting my thoughts again. “Maybe you should have that handsome hunk of a goalie protect you.”

“Who?” My brows pull together, confusion coursing through me.

“Duncan,” Caroline says, surprise in her voice. “He was traded to the Colorado Wolverines.”

Duncan was traded to the Wolverines?

Drat! He lives in Maple Ridge, close to David and Scarlett. It’s why he’s been in so many recent photos.

My stomach drops and starts to swirl. Emotions I’ve kept tucked away forever begin racing through my body, causing my heart to crash against my ribcage.

Seeing Duncan wasn’t on my radar. Suddenly, it seems like the history I pushed down just crashed headlong into my reality, and I’m powerless to steer clear of the wreckage.

Chapter Three

Duncan

Pullingupinfrontof David’s house, I kill the engine, rest my hands on the steering wheel, and let out a slow breath. I’m picking up Scarlett for our weekly visit to Mile High Mutts Rescue. It’s something the two of us look forward to. But today is different.

Today is the first time in years I’ll be seeing Ava.

The drive here reminded me of my first professional hockey game. My stomach is rolling, my heart is racing, and tiny thrills of excitement are coursing through every cell in my body.

I’m gonna be sick.

Flipping down the visor, I stare at my reflection in the mirror and run a hand through my hair. Slamming the visor closed, I wipe my palms against my pants and blow out one more big breath before getting out of the car.

Walking around the front of my Acadia, I hear the door to David’s house open. The corner of my mouth lifts as I see Scarlett making her way out.

“Uncle Duncan,” she screams, running down the stairs and throwing her body into my arms.

“Oof.” I groan, pretending her weight is too much. She wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. Feigning I can’t breathe, I choke out, “How much have you grown since I’ve been gone?”

Her tinkling laughter rains over me, spreading tiny rays of warmth throughout my body, causing my chest's tightness to loosen.

Scarlett gives another tight squeeze just before she wiggles out of my arms and grabs my hand, pulling me toward the house.

“Guess who’s here?!” She beams at me in that way of hers that melts my heart. If I wasn’t so tense knowing who’s staying with them, there’s nothing that would stop a smile from creeping across my face.

Scarlett’s excitement has that effect on me. Normally. Instead, there’s a stampede of horses running around my chest, and the pounding in my ears is making it difficult to do simple tasks like walk.

“Who?” My stomach clenches as I realize she’s dragging me into the house. I was hoping there would be some way I could avoid seeing Ava. I swallow hard and run my tongue over dry lips.

“Aunt Ava!” We walk into the house, and I give a cursory glance around the downstairs, and to my relief I don’t see Ava anywhere. Before I can relax, Scarlett calls out. “Aunt Ava! Uncle Dunky is here!”

Internally, I groan at Scarlett’s nickname for me. Ava walks through the archway of the kitchen, and my heart stops.

Her dishwater blonde hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, exposing her long neck. My eyes linger a moment before slowly lifting to her heart-shaped mouth only to find it slightly lifted at the corner. When I raise my eyes to hers, I see a glint of humor dancing in her baby-blue orbs.

My heart is pounding so hard I’m afraid it’s going to ram through my ribcage.

“Hi, Duncan,” she says, her voice washing over me. She shoves a hand in her jeans pocket and leans against the door frame. Her navy blue t-shirt hugs her curves. “Or should I say ‘Dunky’?”

I feel my lips tighten into a straight line, and she puts both hands up in surrender.

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