Page 98 of Rules Of Our Own

Alex stiffens slightly beneath me, and I shift back to see him fully.

“I want to be captain.”

“That’s awesome. Do you think you have a shot this year?”

He tilts his head to the side. “Yeah, so long as I don’t fuck things up.”

“You’re not going to fuck things up. And even if you do, you don’t need to prove anything to your parents anyway,” River growls out.

My head snaps between them. “What do you meanprove?”

Alex exhales a slow breath. “I’m a grown man, and this is so fucking stupid, but it’s the last step. What else can I do to impress them?”

“Wait. You’re telling me your parents aren’talreadyimpressed by what you’ve accomplished?”

He leans in close and rests his head on my shoulder so I can’t see him. I hate it.

“Well, they sorta are, but not in the way they’re proud of my brother.” He whispers it, and it’s so low I wouldn’t have been able to make it out if he wasn’t inches from my ear.

I stiffen, rage coiling in my gut at the fucking audacity of these people.

“I knew they didn’t come to your games back in school, but Alex, if they aren’t amazed by you, they’re idiots. You’re smart. Caring. You take the time to know people. You are so much more than just a hockey player. So what if they have doctorates? It basically means they’re extremely knowledgeable about a very specific thing. If they think that makes them better than you, that just shows you how stupid they really are.”

“I know.”

I grab his chin and force him to face me. “I’m serious, Alex. Don’t let them make you feel otherwise. I’m so proud of you both.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out, expecting a call from Sidney now that she’s gone back home. Dread drops in my stomach at the unknown number. Before I can swipe it away, Alex grabs it from me.

“Sorry, Mia can’t get to the phone right now. This is her boyfriend speaking. Can I take a message?” He drops the phone on the table. “Ooops, he hung up.”

“Boyfriend, huh?” I ask.

“Yup.” He twirls me so I’m straddling him. “I only have one goal this year.”

“What’s that?”

“You.”

CHAPTER48

ALEX

The roarof the crowd envelops me as I skate onto the ice, and my heart pounds in time with the rhythm of the game. There’s an electric energy in the air, and I can feel it coursing through my veins, driving me forward. The ice is smooth beneath my skates, and the chill in the air is invigorating. It’s fucking go time.

River lines up to my right on the circle and gives me a firm nod. I know he’s got my back out here.

I steal a quick glance up at the stands, where our girl’s sitting. She’s wearing the jersey Riv got her. It’s a little too big, but it fits her perfectly in all the right ways. She looks good in black and gold, but she’d look even better without it. Her smile is radiant as she waves at us, and I can’t help but grin back. I fucking love having her here.

The puck drops, and I’m in the zone, focused on the game. The opposing team is tough, but I’ve got River by my side, and we’re ready to take them on. The puck flies from end to end, and every time it comes my way, I’m determined to make something happen. I skate hard, dodging checks and weaving through the defense, trying to set up the perfect play.

As the minutes tick by, I can feel the energy in the arena build. We’re tied with seconds left in the game. The crowd is hungry for a goal, and we’re determined to give it to them. I catch another glimpse of her in the stands, her eyes locked on me, and it fuels my determination even more.

Then, it happens. River shouts at me from across the ice and sends me a beauty of a pass. I grab it, taking off like a rocket down the ice. I can hear the crowd’s anticipation, their collective breath held as I break away from the defense. The goalie is the only thing standing between me and the net, and I can’t let him stop me.

With every stride, I can feel the wind in my face and the ice beneath my skates. I can hear the thud of my heartbeat in my ears, and it drives me forward. The goalie comes out to challenge me, but I have a plan. I deke left, then right, and just as he sprawls to make the save, I slide the puck past him and into the back of the net.

The arena erupts in a deafening roar, the sound washing over me like a tidal wave of pure exhilaration. My gaze locks on Mia’s, and she’s grinning right back at me. Her eyes widen seconds before a weight crashes into me, and River hauls me into the air.

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