Scoring with the Wrong Twin (Ice Chronicles Hockey #2)

31. Blake

31

Blake

I’m standing outside Savannah’s condo, the hot Chicago air brushing against my neck.

God, what the fuck am I doing.

My hand hesitates over the buzzer for just a second before I press it. This isn’t a conversation I ever imagined having, but it’s one I know needs to happen—for her, for Blaze, and for me.

I imagine nothing happening, pressing the button and getting nothing in response. But it’s what I came here to do, so I do it.

At first, there’s nothing. Then, a metallic click cuts through the air.

It’s unlocked.

I pull the door and step into the small lobby of Savannah’s building, making my way up the stairs to the third floor. Once I’m at her apartment, I take a deep breath, then knock.

The door swings open faster than I expect, and there she is. Her eyes widen as she takes me in.

“Oh, hi Blake. I thought you were Blaze,” she blurts, her hand gripping the edge of the door.

My brow arches slightly. “Still confusing us?”

“Not up close. But from my window? Sure. Plus, I wasn’t exactly expecting to see either of you here.” She sighs. “Anyway, come in.”

I nod, stepping inside when she motions. Her space is neat but feels... tense, like the air is holding its breath. And the place is half packed-up.

She’s nervous, but so am I—not that I’ll show it. Might as well get right to it.

“So, I’m here for three reasons.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Exactly three reasons, huh? Nice and orderly.”

“Well, that’s how my brain works.”

Savannah wrings her hands for a moment, glancing aside.

“OK, well, let’s hear them.”

“First, I owe you an apology.”

Her head tilts, skepticism flickering in her eyes. “For what?”

“Back when everything with Blaze unfolded, there was a moment—brief, but real—when I thought you might’ve been playing us both.”

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t interrupt.

I continue. “I didn’t understand what was happening. It didn’t make sense how you and Blaze got there so fast when I thought... Well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. The point is, I let my frustration cloud my judgment. I tried to rationalize something that didn’t need analyzing, and in doing so, I let myself believe something unfair about you.”

Her gaze softens, the tension in her shoulders easing.

“Yeah, you’re a thinker. I get it.” She pauses, her lips curving into a small smile. “But thanks all the same.”

I nod, grateful she didn’t push back. “You didn’t deserve the doubt. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

She crosses her arms but doesn’t seem defensive, just thoughtful. “Apology accepted. Anything else, or is this your victory lap?”

I can’t help the slight smile that tugs at my lips. She’s sharp—always has been.

“Actually, there is. Three reasons, remember?”

She laughs. “How could I forget?’

I shift, leaning against the back of her couch. “Anyway, the second reason I’m here: to tell you I’m rooting for you and Blaze. No hard feelings.”

Her reaction is immediate—eyes widening, arms dropping to her sides. “Really? Even after…”

I hold up a hand, cutting her off gently. “Look, I liked you. Still do, honestly. You’re... easy to like.” I see the flicker of unease on her face and clarify, “But nothing really happened between us, Sav. I didn’t act when I should’ve. Blaze didn’t take anything from me.”

She watches me closely, her expression unreadable, so I press on.

“You and I? We had chemistry. At Dad’s Christmas party, I thought there might be something there. But then I got busy—high season, hockey games, ranch work. By the time I thought to make a move, it felt too late. That’s on me.”

“Do you feel guilt or regret?”

“The thought of ‘what could have been’ has crossed my mind, of course. But I don’t dwell on ‘what-ifs’. If I’d acted sooner, maybe things would have been different. But then again, maybe not.”

I’m aware that what I’m saying it’s not completely true. I remember all the times I’ve thought of her, dreamed about her, fantasized about feeling her lips, her touch. I’d hoped, foolishly maybe, that her coming to the ranch might be my second chance. And yes, I’ve felt both guilt and regret. But what’s the point in making her feel bad about it too? What’s done is done. I can’t change the past, so I need to move on.

Her brow furrows, like she’s piecing something together. “So, you’re saying…”

“I’m saying Blaze didn’t steal you. He just... got there first.” I shrug, trying to keep my tone light. “There’s no point in regretting the past when the present outcome is positive for you and my brother. Honestly, you two fit. I see it every time you’re together. The way you look at each other, the way he talks about you—it’s different. He’s different.”

She blinks, clearly trying to process my words. “You really think that?”

“I know that,” I say. “Blaze is crazy about you, Savannah. And I think you’re just as into him, even if you may be too stubborn to admit it, that I don’t know for sure.”

Her lips part like she wants to argue, but no words come out. For once, Savannah Hart seems genuinely at a loss.

“Blaze is a good guy,” I add, my tone softening. “And he’s a better guy with you in his life. So, if there’s even a chance to make things right, I think you owe it to yourself—and to him—to take it.”

She tilts her head, studying me like I’m some complex puzzle. “Did Blaze put you up to this?”

“No,” I say immediately. “He doesn’t even know I’m here. This is all me.”

“Why, then?” she asks, her voice quieter now. “Why come all this way to say this?”

“Because I care about my brother,” I say simply. “And I care about you, too. You both deserve a shot at something good.”

She exhales, her gaze dropping to the floor. I can tell my words are sinking in, but there’s something holding her back—something deeper, something personal. Whatever it is, I hope she can push past it.

Before she can say anything more, I clear my throat. “There’s one more reason I’m here. Third out of three reasons.”

Her head snaps up, her curiosity piqued. “What’s that?”

“Blaze is in the hospital.”

Her face pales, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.

“He’s… what ? Why the hell wasn’t that reason one?”

“It’s not life-threatening,” I assure her quickly. “But he’s there. And I think... I think he needs you.”

“What… what happened to him?” she asks, her voice tight with worry.

I hold her gaze, keeping my tone steady. “Let Blaze tell you himself. For now, just know it’s nothing too serious. He’s strong, and he’s resting and doing fine.”

Her hand flies to her mouth, guilt flashing behind her eyes. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

“It just happened yesterday.”

She swallows hard, her guard slipping for a moment. “I don’t know, Blake...”

“Look,” I say, stepping closer, “just come with me. Pack a bag. Stay as long as you want. If you don’t go now, you’ll keep torturing yourself with ‘what ifs.’ And you know you miss the ranch chaos anyway.”

Her lips twitch, almost smiling, but the hesitation is still there. “That’s not exactly a selling point.”

“It is if you think about it,” I counter, crossing my arms. “Plus, if you don’t, I may have to explain to Blaze someday that I tried and failed. And I really hate failing.”

Her expression softens just enough. “You’re awfully persuasive for someone who doesn’t seem to care what people think.”

“I wouldn’t say I don’t care,” I reply, my smirk faint but deliberate. “I just care more about what makes sense. And right now, this is what makes sense.”

Savannah sighs, glancing at her half-packed condo.

“Fine. Give me five minutes.”

***

The drive back to Cedar Creek starts quiet, but it doesn’t take long for the tension to break. Savannah turns to me, her brow arched.

“OK. So. Can you blame me for confusing you two? Like, you both called me ‘Princess’ at one point or another.”

I let a slow grin spread across my face. “That’s a Dad thing. He used to call our mom that. I guess it stuck.”

Her eyes narrow playfully. “So, you copied your dad?”

“Blaze copied me,” I counter smoothly.

Savannah snorts, leaning back in her seat. “You really think he copied you?”

“Absolutely,” I say without hesitation. “He’s always been trying to one-up me.”

She rolls her eyes with a smirk. “Or maybe you both copied your dad.”

“Fine,” I concede. “I’ll let Blaze keep the pet name.” I follow this up with a smile, letting her know it’s all good. “I’ll keep the good looks.”

She laughs, the sound light and easy, and I realize how much this conversation is easing the tension between us. It feels natural, the way we’re bantering like old friends. For a moment, I almost forget the weight of why we’re heading to Cedar Creek in the first place.

“Tell me something,” she says, her tone softer now. “Why are you really doing this? Bringing me back, I mean.”

I grip the wheel, my eyes on the road. “Because it’s the right thing to do. You and Blaze? You’re good for each other. He might not say it, but he needs you. And if there’s even a chance of fixing things, I want to help. He’s my family and you may be my family someday too.”

She doesn’t say anything for a while, but out of the corner of my eye, I see her smile.

When we pull into the hospital parking lot, I steer toward the drop-off area and glance at Savannah. “I’ll park the car. You head inside—I’m sure he’ll want to see you.”

She hesitates, her hand on the door handle. “Blake... thanks. For everything.”

I grin, leaning back in my seat. “Don’t get too sentimental on me. Just go.”

Savannah pushes the door open, but I call out before she steps away. “Hey, one more thing.”

She turns, eyebrow raised.

“You don’t happen to have a twin sister, do you?”