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The Zamboni drove onto the ice, and I turned toward the rink to watch its progress. Levi adopted a similar posture, arms resting on the railing. Perhaps we both needed to collect ourselves and our thoughts after an emotional conversation. It made me realize that I could be better about giving difficult conversations a moment to breathe before diving in again.

“I can’t believe you’re wearing someone else’s jersey,” Levi teased, plucking at the material. “It’s strange to see you without the name Frost on your back.”

I lifted a shoulder, my eyes still trained on the rink. I’d been wearing Carson’s jersey to games for a while now. I had nothing to hide. “Love makes us do crazy things.”

I wasn’t trying to hurt my brother, but I was done hiding my love for Carson for the sake of Levi’s feelings.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Levi nodding. “That it does. But it also opens us up to possibilities we never imagined.” Then in a softer voice, he added, “I’m happy for you, Lo.”

I turned to face him once more, dreading the question I knew I needed to ask. “Even if it’s with Carson?”

Levi straightened. “It’s going to take some time to wrap my head around it, but yes. Even with him.”

I nodded. It felt…honest. And I could accept that. I didn’t expect Levi to change his opinion overnight, but it was a relief to know that he was willing to try.

“How long are you and Alan in town?”

“That sort of depends…”

“On…?”

“Well, you. And Carson. Both of you. I know we sort of crashed your holidays with Mom and Dad, but I was really hoping we could spend them all together.”

I jerked my head back. Even if Levi was making strides toward forgiving Carson and accepting our relationship, I’d never expected him to be willing to spend the holidays with us. Not after everything that had happened.

“Lo.” He took my hands in his. “I want us to be a family again.”

The seats were starting to fill in, and the game would be starting soon.

“I want that too, Levi. But…” I gnawed on my lip, feeling protective of Carson. “The holidays are hard for Carson, especially Christmas. So while I want to say yes, I’m wary. For both of you. Because the last time you were together, it didn’t go so well.”

That was an understatement, but I was trying not to escalate things. Not when Levi had been so calm, and it had been going so well. I wasn’t trying to protect our relationship by sparing his feelings; I was trying not to push too hard like I had in the past.

“I know, but I feel like I’m finally in the right headspace to understand where he’s coming from. I wasn’t the only one affected by what happened that day. His family used to be so important to him, and to think that he gave that up…” He shook his head, and something in my chest loosened. A breath I’d been holding for months. An ache that wouldn’t go away.

I nodded, overcome with sadness.

“I’m hoping to talk to him after the game,” Levi said. “It’s time to put this behind us.”

I couldn’t help it; my jaw dropped. Holy shit.

Levi rubbed the back of his neck. “Also, you were right. If I met him today and we didn’t have all that past between us, I’d admire the hell out of him. He’s talented, but he’s always been talented. But it’s everything else he’s done that really makes me respect him.”

“I don’t even know what to say right now,” I admitted, honestly kind of stunned by this whole conversation.

“I figured it would be obvious.” There was a teasing glint in Levi’s eye. Music started playing over the speakers. That was our cue to wrap this up.

“Really?” I tilted my head.

“Yeah. You know… You were right. I was wrong. Blah. Blah. Blah.” He was smiling as he said it.

“Well, I was,” I said, grateful to him for lightening the mood after such a heavy conversation. “Now give me a hug because I’ve really missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” He wrapped his arms around me, and all was right in the world once more.

Logan snuggled into me, and I pulled her even closer. “Merry Christmas.” I kissed the spot where her neck met her shoulder.

She rolled to face me, cupping my cheek before kissing me with a smile. “Merry Christmas.”