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And judging by his current expression, neither is Jack. “Again, top secret, but he’s being shipped to the AHL. It’s been a long time coming.”

“Fucking shit anyway.”

“Oliver Hart!” Mom announces as she stands from the table with her empty plate. “Congratulations, Jack. You have such a bright future ahead of you—I know it.” She glances down at our joined hands and smiles. “You both do.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

JACK

“It was at this point right here when I concluded that Jon is a better coach than he was a player.” Ollie pauses the footage and jumps up from his chair. He points at me, Tyler, and Matt Rice on-screen. “Nashville was not expecting this overload, and you fucking nailed that slap shot!”

He crouches down in front of the TV, and I sit on the sofa, my eyes feeling heavy. It’s almost midnight, and we’re the only ones still up. If it had been an option to head to bed with Kendra, that’s exactly where I’d be. Despite liking her brother immensely.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Are you sure you picked the right sport?”

He stands from his crouch, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Can’t skate for shit. Plus, when Dad was home from England, he had me on a pitch before I was even talking.”

He walks back over and sits down, hitting play on the footage. “While I have the chance and Kendra isn’t here, I just want to say thanks for what you did. For helping her out. She’s too stubborn to come to me or Mom and Dad, so, yeah, thanks.”

He keeps his eyes focused on the screen as he runs a palm down his sweatpants, clearly deep in deliberation over his next sentence. “Tyler broke her heart. Maybe not at the point of their breakup, but definitely when she realized what a ball sack he was.”

I know what he’s saying. I’d be saying the same thing when it came to Darcy, and I’m positive she would, too, if the shoe were on the other foot.

“I won’t hurt her,” I say, giving him the answer he needs. “The only time I’ll leave her life is if she asks me to.”

He visibly relaxes into the cushion behind him. “She’d hate me if she knew I was being the protective big brother. It’s only because I care.” He flicks his eyes to me, and I see the sincerity. “I like you, Jack. I get the feeling I’ll see a whole lot more of you over the years, and I can’t say I’m mad about it.”

I nod once. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. I told her I was addicted, and I’m not ashamed to admit the same thing to you.”

Can men swoon? Clearly, they can, judging by the way Ollie is looking at me.

On a stifled yawn, I reach across and grab my mobile from the end of the sofa. “I won’t see you for Christmas since the NHL isn’t the La Liga and we have to work for our wages.”

He rolls his eyes, and I smile at the video message that just came through.

“So, consider this my gift to you.”

Walking the few paces, I pass Ollie my phone and hit play.

“Noooooo!” he exhales when he registers what I did earlier.

“Hey, Ollie. Jon Morgan here. Jack tells me you’re a huge fan, and since he’s head over heels with your sister, I figure we’ll essentially be family at some point. Anyway, consider it my future father-in-law duty to send you a couple of items, including a signed puck from when I made a hat trick against the Blades a few seasons back.” Jon grins at the camera. “Have a great Christmas and go kill the Champions League thisseason. I have a hundred dollars on you making top goal scorer.”

The video ends, and Ollie remains transfixed on the dark screen. “That was undoubtedly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”

I take my phone back from him and pocket it. “All in the name of big-brother brownie points.”

He stands from his chair and offers his hand out to me, pointing toward the door I’m about to head through for bed. “Jack, I will carry you up there myself if it means you’ll propose.”

I snort a laugh and shake his hand. “Don’t fucking tempt me.”

I knowI previously said having Kendra sleep in the room next to mine was torture. But having to walk past her room, knowing she’s likely half naked and all mine?

Yeah, I’m not hard at all.

In around twelve hours, I need to board a flight back to Nashville, and I’m painfully aware of it as I stand, fixated on the spare bedroom door.

Respectful English boy. That’s what you are, Jack. You can’t fuck her in her childhood bed. You’ve gotten off to a great start with her family. Don’t blow it now.