Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 83550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
As his hand holding the phone drops back to his side, my gaze follows. My heart thunders as the realization slams into me.
“It’s you,” I whisper, barely able to form the words. “It’s been you all along.”
His fingers tighten on my waist, his chest rising with a slow inhale. “I should have realized it earlier,” he murmurs, his gaze searching mine. “Every message, every conversation... it was always you.”
Tears blur my vision as a shaky laugh bubbles up from my throat. “Yeah,” I say, voice thick with emotion. “It was me.”
“Just so you know,” he says, his tone dipping, “I care about you, Holland. I’ve always cared about you.”
The air between us shifts, thickening with emotion and the pull that’s been there from the start. A shiver races down my spine as his face moves closer, his eyes searching mine for the slightest hesitation. When he finds none, his lips brush against mine. The kiss is soft at first. Almost as if he’s testing the waters. But then it deepens until it feels very much like coming home.
When we finally pull apart, I rest my forehead against his, our breaths mingling. For the first time in what feels like forever, the chaos quiets, and everything slides into place.
His gaze slices to my packed bag resting on the bed, and for a moment, fear ghosts across his face. He swallows hard before his eyes lock on mine again.
“Stay,” he says in a low rumble that sends a shiver through me. “Don’t leave.”
A smile tugs at my lips, tentative at first but growing as warmth floods my body. “I wasn’t planning on it,” I admit, my voice steady.
A small smile breaks across his face, and just like that, the cracks between us begin to heal.
38
Bridger
The locker room buzzes with a frenzied energy that’s impossible to ignore. Laughter bounces off the walls, mingling with the steady rhythm of chatter, the sharp rip of tape being peeled, and the metallic clink of skates being adjusted. The air is charged with the kind of electricity that comes with knowing the season hangs in the balance.
One game.
One shot at making the Frozen Four.
And yet, despite the stakes, my focus is split.
My gaze drifts to the far corner of the room where Garret sits alone, head bent as he tightens his laces. His movements are methodical, but there’s a stiffness to his posture that gives him away. The guys have been giving him the cold shoulder for days. A silent punishment for the way he’s acted. Most of them have had issues with him at one point or another, but none know the full story.
I think it’s time to change that.
My stomach churns as I glance around the room. The thought of putting this out there feels heavy, almost suffocating, but it’s a weight I can’t keep carrying.
Not alone.
Taking a steadying breath, I push to my feet and step toward the center of the room. The hum of conversation doesn’t immediately stop, so I clear my throat, loud enough to cut through the noise.
The guys pause as their attention shifts to me. Ryder leans against his locker, one brow arched in curiosity. “What’s up, Sanderson? You got some pre-game pep talk locked and loaded?”
A few chuckles ripple through the room. My palms feel clammy, and I wipe them against my pants. “Not exactly.” I glance at Garret, whose head jerks up at my words, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
The heaviness of the moment presses down harder.
Maybe I should’ve talked to him first.
Maybe I’m about to step over a line I have no business crossing.
But the truth matters, and it’s time to let it out.
“Before we hit the ice, there’s something I need to say. Something you all need to know.”
The room falls completely silent, the buzz of energy replaced by a tense anticipation. All eyes are on me now. My heart pounds as I force myself to meet Garret’s gaze, silently apologizing for not warning him beforehand.
Steele’s expression never changes. He knows what I’m about to do. He’s the only other person I told. After all, that makes Steele and Garret family.
It took a moment for my cousin to wrap his brain around that one.
I take another deep breath. “This isn’t easy for me to talk about, but it’s important.”
Garret stiffens, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “What are you doing, Sanderson?” His voice is quiet, but there’s an edge to it.
I hold his gaze, willing him to trust me for just a second. “It’s time they knew the truth.”
A ripple of confusion spreads through the room, the guys exchanging glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
“About what?” Ryder asks, his brow furrowing.
I square my shoulders, the words pressing against the back of my teeth, ready to spill out. “About Garret.” My voice remains steady even though my pulse hammers in my ears. “He’s not just a teammate.” I pause, meeting Garret’s surprised gaze. “He’s my brother.”