Page 98 of Against The Boards

“Please don’t try to keep up with my brother.”

He smiled at me and caressed my cheek with his thumb. I leaned into the feeling of his hand on me. “I love you, okay? Your brother’s just mad, but I’m not going anywhere. I told you, I’m not letting you go.”

I nodded again, but I felt like I was going to cry. “I love you too. So much.”

My twin made gagging sounds behind me, but I gave him the finger while I kissed my boyfriend goodbye. I truly hoped Benny didn’t try to keep up with Tristan. Despite his size, Benny was a lightweight with drinking. I could drink him under the table, and Tristan was a thousand times worse.

“Will you ask Noah to go with you?” I asked.

He furrowed his brow. “Why?”

“So he can act as a buffer, so Tristan doesn’t murder you.”

Benny kissed me again. “I can take your brother.”

“Love, please?” I asked.

He caressed my cheek with his thumb and kissed my forehead. “Okay. Whatever you want.”

I ended up tossing and turning in bed without Benny. I hadn’t expected this from my brother, but from the look on Benny’s face he had been waiting for this fallout. It explained why he took that punch like it was nothing. He was used to taking hits on the ice, but Benny wasn’t a big fighter, and you never wanted to fight your teammate.

When I woke up the next morning and he wasn’t in bed with me, I got scared, but then I tripped over him lying on the floor. “Benny?” I whispered in confusion.

He groaned and felt his head. “Shush, angel. Why are you screaming?”

“I’m not,” I said even quieter. I went to my knees and brushed his sweaty hair out of his face. He looked like death, and his skin was warm to the touch. “Oh, love. Did you try to match drinks with my brother last night?”

He groaned as if in pain. “I didn’t try. Your dad made me do shots.”

“My dad? He’s still in town? Wait, didn’t I ask you to take Noah so he could be a buffer?”

He glared at me. “Do you think Noah Kennedy can say no to your dad and your brother? That dude is too nice.”

I laughed. “I know! He’s such a Canadian stereotype. I’m sorry. I hope my dad wasn’t too hard on you.”

“Angel, please,” he groaned and held his head.

“How much did they grill you?”

“Rox, please stop talking and let me die here.”

I kissed his forehead. “Oh, I’m so sorry, love. Come on, the bed will be more comfortable.”

“No. I have to get up.”

I furrowed my brow. “Why?”

“I’m supposed to go work out with your brother and dad in an hour. Your dad wants to get on the ice together.”

I shook my head. “Oh, they’re really punishing you. He’s probably going to make you bag skate. Dad’s evil like that.”

He groaned, but then he grinned up at me and pulled me down into a kiss. “So worth it. You’re worth it. Rox, I love you so much, I will do whatever drills your dad makes me do today. Fuck, I’d bag skate all day for you.”

I kissed him back but pulled away before it could go any further. “That’s the nicest thing to say to a Canadian girl. I’ll make coffee for both of us.”

Tristan sat at the island eating oatmeal and looking like he hadn’t drunk my boyfriend under the table last night.

I flicked his ear. “You’re a dick.”