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The little idea has had time to grow, and I think it might actually work. As long as the guys don’t know the truth, especially my pain in the ass brother.

Conrad can’t let it go about Juniper. “One date that looked smoking hot. I saw the photos.”

“Everyone saw the photos.” Archer slides his legs around to the opposite side of the bench to face us. He leans down, lacing his skates. “You two looked really chummy together. Please tell me you’re finally getting some action.”

I leap across the bench for Archer, and Reid, Bryon, and Conrad yank me back. “Save it for the ice,” Conrad reminds me. “We need your brother in one piece.”

Thankfully, Coach isn’t in the room with us, or he’d have my ass for going after Archer again. I can’t afford to be benched for any more games.

When we finish our first period, Coach gives us a pep talk which sounds a lot more like yelling, especially when he spouts about us having our heads up our asses.

The game is tied, so I’m not sure why he’s so pissed.

It could be worse.

I’m playing decent enough, not my best game ever, but Reid, our center, managed to score a goal. Of course, so did the other team.

Before heading back out of the locker room, I make the mistake of checking my cell phone.

There’s a text from Juniper and I open it.

Juniper: I’ll do it, but on one condition…

Me: What’s that?

Three dots appear and then disappear.

Juniper: Where are you?

Me: Arena.

Juniper: Oh shit. Sorry, forgot you play tonight. Good luck. Break a leg. Wait, don’t!

I chuckle reading her text.

Me: Good luck is appropriate. I’ll be home late; we can catch up tomorrow?

Juniper: What about after? Blue Line?

My teammates start piling out of the locker room, and I’m one of the last, still on my phone. Coach will have my head if he sees my mind isn’t in the game. Hiding my phone wasn’t too hard when the entire team was in here, but just me, head bent down…

“Dax!” Coach Malone shouts, and I’m hoping he’s grumbling about my brother, but I glance up and Archer is already out of the locker room.

“Zuri wanted me to reach out to Juniper about⁠—”

“Do it on your own time. We have a game to play. Now!”

I shove my phone back into the locker, not answering her text. I don’t want her showing up tonight at Blue Line, mostly because we need to talk about rules and expectations of our fake dating arrangement. If she’s on board, what’s the one condition that she wants me to abide by?

We get our asses kicked in the second period and Coach is on me, watching my every move in the locker room. I get the impression if I grab my phone, I’ll be blasted and he might even bench me the rest of the game.

He’s in a mood, and while it isn’t my fault, he’s looking to take it out on someone.

Best if it’s not me.

We head back onto the ice and manage to tie up the game, but it’s not enough. We need to win. With thirty seconds left in the period, Archer gets slammed into the boards.

There is heat and words thrown from both sides along with fists. Conrad and Byron drag Archer off Jameson, the asshole who started it.