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“Oh.” She’s still holding back.

“Yeah. This time . . . I don’t want to mess it up again.” I nod to myself, as if she could see me. “Yeah. He’s important to me. I’m not exactly sure yet how I’ll handle the relationship after the season. But we’ve decided to tell our close circle.”

“And I’m part of your inner circle?” Her voice is soft and shaky.

At first, I don’t understand what she means. A lump forms in my throat and I swallow. My sister thinks I’ve built close relationships outside our family. That only she was excluded. She’s wrong. The truth is, by deciding not to come out, I’ve simply cut myself off from the world. At least that part of me. I clear my throat. “Joni, you’re the first person I’m telling this to. You’re the only one who knows about it.”

The sound on the other end of the line is almost pained. “Evan.” A quiet sob comes through. But she quickly pulls herself together. She clears her throat, too. “That’s the least you can do for your sister.”

We both laugh. Almost desperately. Fuck. Why didn’t I talk to her years ago? Didn’t talk to her about Parker. The conversation doesn’t make our problems go away, but with every word, I feel lighter.

“Yeah, that’s how it is. And now I’m going to get something to eat.” Because right now I’m not starving, I’m ravenous. “Thanks, little sis.”

“Hey. I’m expecting regular updates on everything in your life now. Tell me more about your mystery man.”

“Yeah, not right now. I can’t speak freely at the café.”

“Oh, of course. All right. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. For your adductors and your man.”

My man. My heart is warm and light. Parker is my man.

One step taken, just a billion more to go.

The ride home from the arena, even though I’m taking an Uber, is agonizing.

The second loss in a row.

Munns and I were on the verge of losing it, but it didn’t help. The team wasn’t in sync, and I couldn’t shake the guilt. If I’d been there, Blake, Sid, and I could have played on our line. The press conference was a disaster, and all I want to do is go home and forget the world.

The next game is on the road, which doesn’t make it any easier. But I’ll be back out there and do everything I can to make Chicago bleed. A beatable opponent. Which is what makes it tricky.

I can’t wait to see my Puckling and hold him in my arms. The day has worn me out.

I get out of the car at my house and rush into the apartment. My heart skips a beat. I can’t believe he’s here.

Parker is standing in the kitchen, watching me sympathetically. “I’m sorry.”

I wave it off. “Please, not you too. I need five minutes where I’m not reminded that we assholes are letting it come down to the last games to secure a good position in the playoffs again.”

Parker comes toward me with open arms. “What can I do?”

I let myself sink into his embrace. “Nothing. Having you here is more than I could ever ask for.”

He smells so good, so familiar and comforting. His hands on my back are a blessing. My muscles, strained to the limit, turn to jelly under his touch.

“Come on.” Parker pushes me onto one of the stools and I sit. He stands between my legs and runs his fingers through my hair down to my neck.

I close my eyes and savor the moment. A massage on a level just beneath the skin. A touch that penetrates me, not only glides over me.

“Oh, by the way, I told my sister I have a boyfriend.”

Parker pauses. His fingers burrow into my hair. “You did?” He laughs. “Of course, otherwise you wouldn’t tell me. Wow. What did she say?”

“Oh . . . I put off the details until another time. I wanted her to know. And I was at the café we went to recently. I couldn’t really talk there, anyway.”

“Wow.” Parker pulls me close. “You’ve had quite a day today.”

I snort softly. “You could say that.”