Chapter 18

SOPHIA

"That was the best game ever!"

The two little boys high-fived each other, holding on tight to the sticks the team had given them between the second and third periods. You know, the moment I almost let the damn walls around my heart crack. Let Max in.

God, I wanted to. Helping Jules with the foundation's guests for the game and the rally the night before for all the other families in attendance was a part of my job. At least that's what I kept telling myself. But, I knew from Jules and the tiny glimpses Max let me see that losing their dad was part of what made him who he was today. Overprotective. Growly. Honorable. Hard working.

And if they hadn't had the community support around them, he would have never been able to pursue his dream.

Playing Liam's team in the playoffs threw me off my game. I recognized the possibility, but the reality hit me hard when he hit the ice tonight for warm ups. Mason even texted me and asked if I had plans to catch up with his best friend.

Not fucking happening.

But then, after the face off, Kas rode Liam harder than I'd ever seen him do with another player, And he wasn't the only one. Even Jacob messed with him when he neared the goal, which was maybe once or twice thanks to LeCavalier. Poor Oliver took a hit when he tried to steal the puck, but then he got up and gave as good as he got.

When Liam finally broke from being pushed nonstop, gloves flew to the ice and Kas landed a pretty good blow before being sent to the penalty box.

Revenge 4, Montreal 2.

Max stood behind the bench, arms crossed, with grim satisfaction the entire time. Not telling the guys to focus on the game, or saying a word during change-up when they were seated on the bench.

After the game, I knew.

Max, in his sweet and twisted way, just defended my honor. Along with the rest of the guys. Kas never said a word when I saw him leave his and Jules' place earlier.

And then the moment with the kids.

"No hat trick, but," Jules said as she straightened her ponytail, "I think my man deserves a reward."

I snorted half-heartedly. "Like it would matter either way."

"Love makes you do crazy things. Like date your brother's rival in secret or-"

"Jules?" I stopped her before she went any farther, wringing my hands, and turned to face her. "I have something to tell you?"

She grabbed my hand. "Walk and talk. Locker room time."

I groaned. "I thought you hated the locker room."

"I do, but if I break the playoff locker room streak and jinx things, I'll never forgive myself."

"You and your superstitions."

"Please, Ms. I Have Three Brothers Who Play Hockey. You and I were cut from the same cloth."

We weaved through the crowd until we reached the door letting us into the halls and inner workings of the arena. Jules flashed her badge as security waved us by. The crowds thinned, and she glanced back at me. "Phew. So, tell me."

I pulled on her hand just before we reached the area where the family waited for the guys to come out. She turned back, confusion etched on her face. "What is it? Are you quitting? Don't leave me!"

"No, it's not that." I huffed out a breath. Fuck it. "IthinkI'minlovewithyourbrother."

Her eyes squinted like she was trying to translate some weird foreign language. Her loud laughter echoed off the concrete walls. "Stop. I thought you just said you're in love with," she gasped on a laugh, "my brother."

Well, that didn't go the way I thought it would.

When I didn't join in on the laugh brigade, she stopped. "Wait, are you serious?"

"Um," I tried to speak, but gave up and just nodded.

"But, when did you-" Her eyes widened with shock. "Wait, was Max your hot-one-night-I-can't-forget-his-big-dick-stand?"

"Not that I want to ever hear those words coming out of my baby sister's mouth. Ever, but," Max's voice hit me like a Mack Truck from behind as my cheeks flushed so red I might as well be a fucking stop sign.

Jules' eyes darted behind me, to my face, and back to Max. "Oh God, I so didn't need to say that out loud! But, it's so not what I was expecting. Or who! I thought you hated each other?"

"I never hated him, I just did my part when he tried to cockblock you and when he was an ass about Kas."

She looked back and forth between us for a few minutes, and then nailed her brother in the arm. "You were the walk of shame the other day that didn't walk! Oh. My. God."

"Jules," Max said in a calm voice, as he rubbed the spot she hit him, "How about giving us a second."

"Oh my God! She said she lov-"

"Oh God," I covered my face with my hands. A quick peek through my fingers, and I watched Kas lead Jules away even as her hands flailed along the way.

"She's either going to love this, or hit me again for every time-"

"You cockblocked her? And me?"

He took a step in, closing the space between us. "First, next time you fucking say cock," he murmured low enough so only I heard, "you'll be begging for mine. And I didn't cockblock her. That much. And second-"

"Third," I interrupted.

He ran his tongue along his teeth before continuing. "Third, you're mine, Sunrise. I didn't steal your journal, it fell out or something when you left. Without saying goodbye, " he pointed out. I had the decency to grimace. "And, I take notes. Always have. When I want something, I study it. So I don't fuck up. And I didn't want to fuck up."

"Why didn't you tell me you had it?"

"There was never a good time. And you didn't want anything. It was the only way I could keep you until-"

My eyes narrowed. "Until you wrote on me."

"I wasn't the one trying to get Hale under the damn mistletoe."

"I knew it! You took it all down at the party!"

He gripped my hips and pulled me in close. "And I'd fucking do it again, Sunrise. Because, fuck yeah, I caught feelings. For you. All of you. The crazy loud you, the sad you, the determined you, the sexy as fuck you. All of you. And Shaw? No one messes with my girl. The guys don't know the details, but they were on board as soon as I said I needed to teach him a lesson for you."

Tears filled my eyes, not just because of what he did, but that the guys on the team cared enough about me, too.

His hands cupped my face, eyes searching mine. "I wasn't lying when I said I'd wait. But fuck, Sophia, I fucking love you."

I licked my lips, acting like I was thinking it over. "Well, you were my fantasy, and not many girls get to-"

I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence when his lips crashed into mine. Cheers erupted in the room, but all I heard was Max, murmuring against my lips.

"I fucking love you, Sunrise."