1. Chapter One

Chapter One

MIA

" Y ou can do it," I tell myself in the mirror. "You're the best at what you do!"

The bathroom door swings open, and Sheena from catering walks in, an amused smile spreading across her face as she catches me talking to myself.

"What are you doing, Mia?" she asks lightly, moving to my side by the sink.

"Just giving myself a little pep talk," I admit, an awkward smile spreading over my face as I feel my cheeks heat up. "Are people eating already?"

"Yup," she nods. "Voraciously. Those NHL players and their families can really pack it away."

"Please tell me we won't run out of food. I really can't mess up this huge opportunity," I say, frowning and placing a hand over my chest.

"Don't worry," she quickly reassures me, shaking her head. "Those people could eat as much as they wanted, and we'd still have leftovers. But tell me…" Sheena lightly elbows me in the ribs. With kind eyes, she asks, "Why aren't you out there bossing everyone around?"

I glance at myself in the mirror, seeing uncertainty in my eyes. I let out a heavy sigh. "My ex and his older brother are out there."

"That's tough," Sheena frowns, gently touching my arm. "But can't you avoid them?"

I sigh again, rolling my eyes. "My ex is Ryan Matthews, CEO of Traveler's Investment, one of the sponsors of the Iron Huskies this year."

Sheena's eyes widen. "And his older brother?" she inquires.

"None other than the Iron Huskies' star center player Ethan Matthews. He's a billionaire too. Ryan helped him invest his money. I remember him always talking about that."

Taking a deep breath, I continue, "Despite his own success, Ryan felt overshadowed by Ethan's fame, which strained our relationship. When he moved to New York and I stayed in Detroit, that was officially the end of our eight-year relationship. It was amicable in the end, but I'm afraid a bomb will explode if the three of us get together."

Sheena winces sympathetically. She rubs my shoulder for encouragement before giving me a gentle nudge. "We need to work, Mia," she announces, full of energy. "I'm going to use the restroom, then head back out there before the waiters turn feral."

She rushes into a bathroom stall, and I call out, "See you out there!" before giving myself one last look in the mirror. Nodding with determination, I walk out.

The employee bathroom is inside the employee lounge, which is empty right now except for a security guard flirting with one of the waitresses. They disperse as soon as they see me.

I walk over to the entrance of the huge banquet hall we have booked at the stadium and take a deep breath. I give myself a moment to remember how far I've come since starting my event planning business after college. I soak it up, allowing myself to feel a sense of pride before taking a deep breath and heading back into the banquet hall.

As I head over to check on the bar, I find myself facing my biggest fear: my ex, Ryan, and his older brother Ethan are there talking to each other.

At least I can get this awkward encounter over with.

We all spot each other at the same time.

Ryan stands tall and slender, his brown hair neatly styled and his eyes carrying a hint of warmth and surprise. He's dressed in a sharp, tailored suit, exuding the confidence of a successful CEO.

His brother, Ethan Matthews, towers over him with a more muscular build. His dark hair is slightly tousled, giving him a rugged charm, and his piercing blue eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. He's dressed in a more casual, yet equally stylish attire that reflects his status as an NHL star.

Ryan and I are both twenty-six, and Ethan is two years older.

"Hello, Mia," Ryan says, trying to look cheerful.

"Looking pretty today, Mia. I must say, you are looking happier than ever," Ethan offers with a smug smile, clearly trying to get under Ryan's skin.

Why did I accept the task of organizing this year's Iron Huskies Stanley Cup playoff events knowing I'd have to deal with this?

It's a huge opportunity for my company, but also comes with major challenges.

"Your company got hired to work with us?" Ethan asks, taking a sip from a large energy drink.

Before I can answer, Ryan cuts in, "Last year she worked several events for my company, so I put in a good word when I heard they needed an event planner for the Stanley Cup playoff events."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise, a hint of venom in my voice. "Really?" I turn to him with my arms crossed. "So, you are saying I didn't get this job based on my own abilities?"

Ryan immediately turns red, while Ethan doubles over with laughter.

"It's not like that, Mia…" Ryan frowns.

"What he's trying to say is that he trusts you," Ethan elbows him, making Ryan perk up, but then Ethan's next statement wipes the perkiness away. "He just doesn't respect you."

My eyes widen in shock. Ryan's face is inflamed, a huge vein in his forehead throbbing. I end up going into an awkward giggling fit that's an inch away from becoming hysterical.

"Well, that was harsh," I say after composing myself. Ryan seems to calm down a little by then and just nods his head, gritting his teeth and adjusting his tie.

"It's the truth," Ethan shrugs. "If he respected you, he would have asked you to move to New York with him."

I narrow my eyes toward Ethan and retort, "I was the one who didn't want to move."

"Okay, okay. This is water under the bridge. Let's change the subject," Ryan interjects. "Where are Amanda and Senna?"

Ethan looks around, momentarily confused. "Huh, they should be here already."

"You didn't come together?" I ask, puzzled. Amanda and Senna are Ethan's wife and son.

"We don't live in the same house anymore, Mia," Ethan explains nonchalantly. "Amanda and I got divorced six months ago."

My eyes widen, my mouth falling open as shock washes over me. "Well, that shatters my picture of a perfect family," I exclaim, my arms dropping to my sides.

"Mom is still not over it," Ryan adds.

"Your mom is still not over us. That woman hates me," I joke, but it's the truth. No woman is good enough for Glenda Matthews' little men.

A tiny, familiar voice cuts through the air. "Daddy!" Rapid footfalls follow, and Ethan turns with the cat-like reflexes of a pro hockey player, easily scooping up Senna in his arms.

"Did you watch the game, buddy? It was our first one of the Stanley Cup playoffs!" Ethan asks, trying to kiss his son on his forehead, but Senna dodges him before he can.

"U-hum!" In his hand, he has a plush toy of Howler, the husky mascot for the Iron Huskies, and a superhero themed t-shirt half-hidden underneath a denim jacket. "You won the match!"

Ryan and I were still in college when Senna was born. I can't believe Amanda and Ethan aren't together anymore. Their marriage was what I looked up to and for so long it's what I wanted to have with Ryan. It was so beautiful, and now it's gone.

"Look at the businesswoman!" Amanda's soft voice reaches my ears. She has the sweetest heart and a stunning figure. I wonder what caused their divorce.

"Glad to see you, ‘Manda!" I say, going in for a hug, which she warmly returns.

"Were these two torturing you?" she asks playfully.

"More like Ethan torturing us both," I respond, casting a crooked stare in his direction.

He just blows me a kiss.

"Oh, Ethan, behave," Amanda says, giving me an apologetic look.

"It's not my fault Ryan got flustered when I said Mia looks pretty," Ethan shrugs.

Amanda pushes him away, eyes wide. Senna, still in his arms, bursts into a giggling fit, repeating the word "flustered" over and over.

"You like that word, don't you?" I approach Senna, who immediately reaches out for me to pick him up. "Oof, you're heavy!"

"Mom says I can play football!" Senna exclaims, his hand clinging around my neck.

"Nuh-uh," Ethan interjects, shaking his finger. "It's either Formula 1 or hockey."

"Formula 1 is boring!" Senna declares, much to his father's shock.

"Heathen!" Ethan exclaims, placing a hand on his chest in mock horror.

Amanda is laughing at this point, covering her mouth with her hand. She comes over and holds onto Senna's arm.

"It's been so long and he's still comfortable with you," she says, amazed.

"Yeah…" I say, kissing his temple. "I missed him. I missed you all."

Amanda smiles. I can't tell if I've made her uncomfortable or if she's pitying me. Soon she takes Senna out of my arms and says, "Come on, let's go see your friends!"

"Yeah, I have to work!" I say with a wave. Amanda nods in acknowledgment over her shoulder, leaving me alone with Ryan and Ethan once again.

"Okay, boys…" I continue, "I have to keep an eye on things. Please be good."

"No worries, ma'am. We won't dry up the bar on our own," Ethan says with a mock salute.

As I leave the bar, I sense someone following me. I turn around before entering the kitchen.

"What do you want, Ryan?" I ask, sounding bored.

"Um… Some of my stuff is still with you."

"Oh!" It hits me suddenly. There's plenty of his stuff still in my apartment. "I can bring it to you. How long will you be in town?"

With a frown, he answers, "I'll be leaving Detroit tonight, but you'll be in St. Louis in a few days for the next NHL game, right? I'll be following the games this season as a sponsor of the team. I'll be at as many games as I can. One of the perks."

"Great." I force myself to smile. "I should be able to fit your things into my luggage and bring them. Did your number change? I'll message you."

Ryan's brow furrows, his gaze searching mine. "You haven't blocked me?"

I scoff and shrug, mirroring his confusion. "I thought our breakup was amicable, Ryan. Why? Did you block me?"

Ryan turns away, flushing red as he struggles to respond.

Finally, he mumbles, "I'll text you to let you know where I'm staying." With that, he waves goodbye and leaves.

As I return to my work, I relish any solitude I can find, but as the day ends, I feel the weight of loneliness settling in.

I seriously need more friends.