22

"Right now I feel invisible to you."

Sawyer

I moved with purpose as I busied myself with the preparations for the fundraiser. The icy chill nipped at my cheeks, but I was too determined to make everything perfect to take notice. With Stella's help and the decorating committee's generosity, the rink became a lively activity center. We set up tables along the walls and decorated them with stacks of pamphlets promoting the cause. I couldn't help but swell in pride at what we'd accomplished.

Asher's band had arrived a few moments ago to set up for their opening performance, but I had yet to see Joshua. The air hummed with anticipation as the band members did their final tuning and preparations. The doors would open shortly. I watched with rapt attention as they messed around on stage.

Behind them, I watched Stella open the doors as our spectators and donors walked through. I rushed to the stage and called Asher's name.

"Have you seen Josh?"

"Nope." He strummed a few chords on his guitar before acknowledging me. "He's looking at himself in a mirror somewhere."

This is not the time for sibling bitterness.

"The game is in thirty minutes and we are missing three players, one of them being my brother." I said, brewing with anger. "This is all a disaster."

I could feel myself falling into a panic as the stands filled with people. As the minutes ticked by, my worry mounted. I was about to give in to the panic until the familiar sound of the arena doors swinging open drew my attention. Relief flooded me as he jogged over with Kellan and Noah, their hockey gear slung over their shoulders.

"Sorry, we're late." Josh said, his cheeks flushed.

"No time for that." I said, shoving them to their locker room. "Get ready."

I didn't notice the band had started playing because of my panic. They were halfway through their first song.

"Sawyer, I need to tell you something important." Josh said, his voice tinged with regret.

I felt my heart skip as I saw the worry etched on his face.

"What's going on?"

He took a deep breath.

"Collin broke his wrist last night."

My heart sank at his words.

"What happened?" He seemed skeptical to say, but I needed answers. "Josh."

"We were out late last night, and everyone thought it would be funny to buy some alcohol, but we got caught and made a run for it and Collin fell." He explained without taking a breath.

My stomach twisted with a mixture of disappointment and concern. I had texted him multiple times last night thinking he was getting an early night's sleep, but he was out with his friends the entire time. I wanted to rip him to shreds, but I resisted the urge.

"Is he okay?" I asked. He nodded. "We'll have to cancel the fundraiser."

"What?"

I rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands until I saw stars.

"Josh, we're down a player." I said. "We can't play without Collin and none of the reserves are here."

"I'll play."

Josh's jaw tightened and his nostrils flared as he gazed over my head. I froze at the familiar voice. I placed a hand on Josh's clenched fists and turned to find Asher leaning against the wall with a smug smirk playing on his lips. He still had his guitar strapped to him, but he had moved it behind his torso. The rest of his bandmates looked at him as if he'd just announced he was an extraterrestrial. His eyes gleamed with delight as he took in his brother's angered appearance.

"We're fine." Josh said.

"I wasn't asking you." Asher said, as his eyes fell on me. "I'll play."

If Josh had never told me about Asher's history with the sport, I would have declined. However, if he was as good as Josh said, then he was our only shot.

"Is anyone else's mind blown right now?" Sebastian voiced what we were all thinking.

A self-satisfied smirk rested on Asher's face as he watched Josh's growing agitation.

"I'm sure my uniform still fits." he said, throwing in a wink at his brother for good measure.

The tension crackled between them in the air. If there was any more heat between them, there wouldn't be ice left to skate on.

"Thank you, Asher," I said. "We could use your help."

Josh opened his mouth to interject, but I placed my hand on his chest. Asher's smirk widened as he lifted his guitar strap over his head and handed it to Liam. He approached us and placed his hand on Josh's shoulder.

"Let's get ready, little brother." He said. "We don't want to let the team down."

Josh was fuming, but he followed without a word.

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