Page 14 of Almost Ravaged

We can’t act on it yet, and we both fucking know it.

But I don’t want there to be any question in either of our minds where things stand between us when we go our separate ways this fall.

“Ya know what?” Sawyer’s sweet, melodic tone can only mean one thing: she’s goading her brother. Arms outstretched, she eases her way back to us on her makeshift balance beam.

Her eyes dart to mine for less than a second. It’s enough to make my stomach swoosh, like an opponent just slashed my stick and the reverberations have traveled through my limbs.

“For my birthday, I want an ice cream cake. Blue Monster ice cream with a strip of that fudgy, crunchy chocolate in the middle. What do you say?” She grins at her twin. “Should we tell Mom that’s what we want for our special day?”

Atty grumbles, his words unintelligible, and pulls out his phone in a clear attempt to ignore her.

Good.

If he’s not paying attention, then I can give a little extra attention to the girl who’s infiltrated all my waking thoughts for as long as I can remember.

Sawyer.

Hockey.

School.

My entire fucking world starts and ends with those three things.

School won’t be a concern for much longer. Atty and I attend school virtually so we have more time for hockey, and once finals are over next week, we’ll graduate.

Soon, my world will be even simpler. Nothing but the game I love, and the girl I can’t get out of my head.

Balancing my feelings for my best friend’s sister while not making it obvious to him will be a challenge.

But I can do it. I can and I will.

Even so, fall can’t get here fast enough.

Out of respect for her parents, who are my legal guardians for a few more hours, I won’t make any moves until I no longer live under their roof.

Sawyer will move into the dorms in August. Atty and I will head to Verchamp in September. Three months. That’s all I have to endure.

Patient. Reserved. Respectful. They’re the qualities I’ve always strived for, everywhere but on the ice. I don’t want to be any trouble for Professor and Mrs. Davvies. For years, I’ve been a burden, despite their insistence that I belong.

I’ll be the good guy. I’ll play my part.

Though I intend to spend all of summer making sure Sawyer knows just how deeply she fucking affects me.

Those three months will give me time to sort through how best to explain all this to Atty anyway. He won’t be thrilled, but eventually, he’ll come around.

I owe him everything. He’s the reason I get to play hockey at this level. He and the entire Davvies family. I’ll do anything to repay the kindness and generosity they’ve shown me over the last decade.

I won’t betray them or disappoint them.

Although Atty’s always been like a brother to me, Sawyer has never felt like a sister.

She’s always felt like more.

She’s always felt likemine.

In a few short months, I can make my move. Once she’s at school and I’m playing for the Scorpions, it will all be different.

“Here ya go,” I murmur, resisting the urge to call herangelin front of her brother.