13. Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

MIA

I 've been avoiding Ethan for over a week now.

It hasn't been easy, but I find an excuse to be in the kitchen and out of his sight anytime he comes to any events to see Senna.

After a very awkward flight to North Carolina where I didn't even get up to use the restroom out of fear of crossing paths with Ethan, I settle into the hotel and leave to check out the facilities I'll be working with.

The arena where the Carolina Timberwolves play blends an older architectural style with modern updates from several renovations. The banquet hall given to us will have to be shared with the other team, so I'll be coordinating with the Timberwolves' organization. This should, in theory, relieve me of some duties, but it only complicates my workload.

I'm in the middle of a phone call with the chief of security when I wander into the arena and see the Iron Huskies practicing on the rink. My heart skips a beat when I hear Ethan's voice commanding the team.

I can't help but stop and watch him.

I am in a prime spot between the penalty boxes, by the boards, close enough to hear the players' breaths as they skate up and down the ice at full speed.

Ethan makes an incredible pass to a teammate, who scores a goal and receives accolades from the coach. I resist the urge to cheer. After our last awkward conversation, I'm not about to confuse things even more by acting as if I'm his number one fan.

What do I do about you, Mr. Matthews?

I can't keep running from you forever.

I thought I'd drop my guard and have a bit of fun and forget how lonely I was for a while, and now I'm paying the consequences of doing so with my ex's older brother.

I still can't believe he wanted to tell Ryan about it. Did he change his mind after saying not to take things so seriously?

Maybe I misunderstood him when he told me that. I had been super tipsy after all.

Plus, it didn't work out with Ryan. I'm not sure I have enough pride left to risk getting involved with his older brother. What if that went south too?

I finish the phone call and focus on the practice. These men look like a pack of wolves chasing prey across a wintry landscape. I'm not big into hockey, but Ryan was. He had told me early on that he had a brother playing in the NHL and that he had grown up playing hockey too. Ryan chose to pursue business but always got wistful when he talked about quitting hockey.

"Hey!" the coach roars from the bench, striding toward the ice. "What the hell is going on?"

I watch as Ethan tosses his stick away and removes his gloves, ready for a fight. The player across from him looks confused since they're on the same team. The rest of the team is already trying to break them apart before the brawl starts.

"He checked me!" Ethan growls, his words muffled by the mouthguard.

"So what, Matthews?" the coach yells, arms wide. "Save the macho energy for the actual game."

"I didn't even have the puck," Ethan insists, but the coach isn't having it.

"Box," the coach points at the penalty box, which is right where I am, sending shivers down my spine. "Now.

Ethan groans, upset, but picks up his belongings from the ice and skates toward where I'm standing, passing by me like an angry shadow.

"Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed," I tease, poking my head inside the box.

"Tell me about it," and only then he spits out the mouthguard, and rubs off the saliva against the sleeve of his jersey.

My first reaction is to twist my nose in disgust, but then I remember, just over a week ago, that same saliva was all over my body. It is driving me nuts to think about experiencing that again.

I shake my head, trying to clear it.

"Am I to blame?" I ask, feeling self-conscious.

But Ethan just huffs without looking at me. Feeling affronted, I take a step forward, entering the penalty box. As I do, the overwhelming scent of testosterone and sweat hits me hard, making me cough unexpectedly.

"I think I just got hit with all the energy of every male who ever entered this space," I try to joke.

"You shouldn't be in here…" he murmurs.

"I know." I sigh, crossing my arms. "Can I talk to you?"

And then I see his softer side emerge, still arrogant and smug, but also open, and gentle.

"Oh, how the tables have turned," he goes. "You are the one who ran away from me at the airport last week when I tried to talk to you. And you've been avoiding me ever since."

"I was feeling embarrassed, okay?" I hide my face in my hands. "How was I supposed to feel? I'm here thinking we just had fun, and you're there wanting to give the news to your family? I mean, that would be a pretty awkward conversation."

"It wasn't like that." He turns to me.

"It was exactly like that, Ethan." I stand my ground.

He sighs, "I just felt an obligation to tell Ryan about us."

I take a seat by his side. Ethan scoots over slightly, giving me space.

Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I say, "I think we both better figure things out between us and take our time doing so before you start telling your family anything. I mean, it was one night, Ethan, and we need to tread lightly considering this could appear scandalous."

When I meet his gaze, I see him looking at me with a hint of desire.

"Don't look at me like that…" I plead. His eyes are intense and warm, and that gaze makes me feel so exposed, as if I'm naked. "You're putting too much pressure on me, Ethan."

He reaches for my hand, his touch intrusive, but welcome at the same time. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I was just trying to do the right thing. I won't say anything to Ryan unless we both decide it's time."

I pull my hands away momentarily at the mention of Ryan's name, but soon find myself reaching for his again. "I wasn't enough for your brother."

He scoffs. "Ryan wasn't enough for you ," he corrects me with a gentle scolding. "Just give us a chance, Mia. That's all I'm asking. Can we just see where things go?"

His fingertips trace my jawline and make me tremble. I long for his touch, eager to have it again, to chase the same thrill we had before.

But reality knocks on the door, and I say, in a fleeting voice, "Why should I trust you?"

Ethan touches the tip of his nose to mine. He's sweaty, exuding a sexy manly musk.

"Like I told you before, we've both been through something similar. I haven't been serious with anyone since Amanda, and I feel a strong pull to you that is hard to ignore. Plus, I'd never let a woman like you get away," he smiles, insinuating.

With one last shaky breath, I succumb to his advances and let him kiss me so tenderly all my nerves blaze to life as he touches me.

My thoughts spiral upwards, and for a second, all there's left is this man, his touch, and his scent. Even the noise of the hockey practice still going on is muffled by the sound of my own heart thumping in my ears.

When he breaks away from me, I remain still, my lips slightly parted and my eyes closed. When I finally open my eyes, he's smiling, evidently pleased with what he's done.

With an attempt at boldness tinged with a hint of shyness, he suggests, "Can we give this a try and see where it goes?"

"And where would that be?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Who knows?" Ethan shrugs. "There is no pressure. What if we just take it a day at a time and see?"

And suddenly, my heart warms up to the possibility. It's scary and new. This would be just my second adult romantic relationship.

"Okay," I nod, conceding defeat. Before Ethan can say anything, I continue, "But if it gets serious enough and we decide to tell Ryan, I'll do it."

"Okay," Ethan smiles, wraps an arm around my waist, and pulls me closer to kiss me again.

"Hey!" The coach's voice echoes through the room, and we both turn to look at him. "He's supposed to be being punished."

I go into a giggle fit, give Ethan one last peck, and say, "Meet you at the terrace restaurant at six." He nods and grins, making my stomach do somersaults.

For a moment, I feel like I'm a teenager getting ready to sneak out of the house.

Then I remind myself I'm no teenager. I'm twenty-six and I have control over my life and can make my own decisions, even if it means crossing into off-limits territory with my ex's brother.

There's an undeniable connection between us that I refuse to fight anymore.

I can do this and be mature about it.

I just hope Ethan and Ryan can be adults about it too.