Page 86 of Put a Rink on It

Marina rolls her eyes. “That’s a lot of pressure. I’ve not had luck finding my own.”

“Right. Beyond the handsome and athletic hockey man you’re hitched to.”

“That was different. I knew Nero. And it was⁠—”

Leaping into action, I cut off anything she’s about to say with a hand over her mouth. I don’t think she’d blow up our spot, but she seems awfully comfortable with Kaitlyn. Too comfortable. To my knowledge, she hasn’t even told Juliet the truth, so we’re probably safe. But I don’t want to take my chances.

“Finally got smart and ditched the boy toy, did ya?” That’s a sentence I never thought I’d voice, especially to my sister. Though if she’s looking for a hookup, it must mean she did. Which is happy news. I shake my head to rid the thoughts.

“Yes, yes, I did. You can be so proud of me.”

I cover my heart with my hand. “Immense pride, Kaity. Let me borrow Marina for a few minutes before you leave.”

“Ooh. That’s not scandalous at all,” Kaitlyn mocks, fanning herself. Until it truly sinks in. “Ew. Gross. I’m not thinking of you like that. Yuck.” A shudder passes through her, and she gags.

“We’re not doing that,” Marina stresses, “but speaking from experience, you’ve gotta pretend he’s not your brother like I do with Tate. I pretend she’s not talking about my baby brother. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

I drag her into the living room, falling onto the couch with her on my lap. “Can I come to the bar with you?”

“Nope. No boys allowed at girls’ night.”

I impersonate distaste, though inside it’s real. She’s become an addiction I can’t get enough of. Not only in the bedroom, but any free time I have, I want to spend with her. It’s odd in the sense that I never realized how solitary my life was until the past few months. If anyone had asked, I wouldn’t have classified myself as lonely, but damn if it’s not true. She’s the companion to my isolation.

“Allow me to at least pick you up when you’re done.”

She taps her finger on her chin. “If Kaitlyn agrees, I say yes.”

“And if she doesn’t?” I press, wanting to see where her loyalties lie.

“I still say yes,” she admits on an exhale. “Think she’ll be a hard sell?” She pauses until another thought hits. “When she finds someone to go home with, I’m definitely gonna need a ride, Champ. Catch my drift?”

“Hearing you loud and clear, Ships.” A thought occurs. “We’ve never had drunk sex. What are the odds that’s gonna happen tonight?”

“Depends on my wingwoman skills. If I suck, there will likely be more drinks. If I’m on top of my game—if I even have game—it might be an early and light night. Do you have a preference?”

“I’d totally love for you to find my little sister a man to take her home and do naughty things to her,” falls out of my mouth. I’m not able to stop it even when I hear what it sounds like.

“Were you that guy?”

Her question is ambiguous. “What guy?”

“You know, the guy who wouldn’t let his friends date his little sister and scared any boys away.”

“Only the guys he knew about,” Kaitlyn expresses, arriving in the living room and butting into our conversation. “Luckily, there were plenty he didn’t know about.” She sticks out her tongue, taunting me.

“It may be hard to believe, but Kaity was a bit of a wild child.”

“You’re kidding?” Marina gushes, feigning shock. “I had no idea.”

Kaitlyn throws her hands in the air. “How could I not be when my brother was the freaking hockey star? I had to stand out somehow. I didn’t want to live in Nero Champion’s shadow forever.”

“Sure, blame me. It’s my fault.” I can’t stop my eyes from rolling at the ridiculous turn this conversation has taken.

“Finally, he admits the truth. I’ve only been waiting fifteen years for you to take responsibility for the mayhem you caused me in high school.” She shakes her head. “What time is your tee time?”

“Three-fifteen. When are you leaving?”

“Now. We’ve got a lot of shops to hit before we go to the nail salon for pretty nails and toes.”