Breakneck Hockey (Heartbreak Hockey #3)

28. Heart Emoji Life

Chapter 28

Heart Emoji Life

Casey

I have a boyfriend. Fucking Sutter is my boyfriend. That’s gonna take a while to wrap my head around. Everyone’s happy that we finally gave in, but no one likes the story of how it happened. I do. I like that it was fucking simple. Just Sutter pretty much telling me we were boyfriends and then owning my ass.

Sure, I said yes, but we were a done deal before that. Are we a good idea? No. Nothing about us ever was or ever will be. But I don’t give a fuck at this point. I’m falling too hard. Fuck. He’s such a possessive asshole. We’re gonna fight so much. A smile cracks my face.

“Stop thinking about your boyfriend and focus on the game, Alderchuck,” Rhett says.

I push him. He laughs, almost falling on his face. Of course, we’d play New York—Jack and Rhett’s team—the last day before the playoffs start. He’s a damn hypocrite. All he does is think about Logan. In fact, Logan’s here, waving from the stands, holding little Stanley who’s outfitted with earmuffs. His bestie Kam’s with them.

I get some good hits on Rhett later in the game just for being a prick. The penalty minutes are worth it.

After the game and some post-game cooldown, I shower in the locker room—like a normal person—and wrap a towel around my waist. Walking past the mirror, I catch sight of the artwork Sutter left on my everywhere. Bruises from our last game. Hickeys down my neck. I’m a real fucking masterpiece.

There’s a message waiting for me on my phone.

Top Dog

I’m hit with a blast of warm tingles. I just got a heart from my boyfriend. Life is good.

Me

Did you see me owning your barbarian friend on the ice? Honestly, as your boyfriend, I declare that you need new friends.

Top Dog

You didn’t own Elkington, kitten. You’re good, but you’re half his size. You didn’t even get his helmet off.

Me

Oh, yeah? Then why did I get so many penalties? Explain that one, fuckface.

We bicker back and forth while I get dressed. Our conversation devolves into kinky sex talk and I’m rushing so that I can get out of here and to the hotel, where Sutter will get me to do things with a dildo over video that should be illegal.

I freeze. There’s … sniffling? Peering around, the dressing room is pretty empty. Just a few of the equipment crew members moving around. The fans drying the gear in the next room are running, emitting a loud enough whirring that it’s possible I didn’t hear what I think I heard.

Nope, there it is again.

Fully dressed, I wade to the back of the room and find my brother, still in his towel behind a bunch of shit. His eyes are red, tear tracks still moistening his face. “Bro?”

“Oh, Case. Sorry.” He wipes at his face quickly as if he can stop me seeing what I already saw. But he’s too heartbroken to put on a brave face. His lower lip trembles and then he clings to my waist.

I hug his head to my torso. “Whatever it is, it’s gonna be okay.”

“No, it’s not. It’s never gonna be okay again. Syd proposed to Dash. Dash said yes.”

Fuck. Yeah, that’s pretty bad.

“I messed it up. You were right. I should have listened to you. This hurts so damn bad.” He clutches his chest where his aching heart lives.

“Look, divorce rates are crazy high. They won’t last. You can be Dash’s second husband. Second husbands have a much higher success rate.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t want that for him. He’s so happy. I just want him to be happy.”

Right. Non-toxic ships. Unlike me and Sutter. I want Sutter to be happy with me or nobody. I would bet good money he feels the same.

“Listen, there’s still plenty of time for Syd to have a terrible accident. Nothing’s over till it’s over.” I’m only making jokes now, and he knows it. I’d never actually wish someone dead. Unless they touch my new boyfriend. Huh. I might be as possessive as Sutter. Who knew?

That one pulls a smile from him. “Thanks.”

“C’mon, get dressed. Tonight calls for shots—lots and lots of shots.” Video sex with Sutter’s gonna have to wait.