Page 101 of Hold Me Tight

“Likely story,” he mutters, bumping my shoulder like we’re just two guys at a pickup game, not about to go head-to-head in front of a sold-out crowd.

The contact is easy and familiar. After all the years we spent grinding against each other on opposing teams, it’s funny how life turned out.

“Lilah invited Willow to sit in the suite.” His gaze shifts to the glass above center ice. “The whole McKinnon crew’s up there.”

“Yup, she texted earlier to let me know,” I say, already scanning the luxury box. My gaze locks on Willow almost instantly. She’s standing near the glass with my niece on her hip and my nephew waving like a maniac. As soon as she catches my eye, a grin lifts her lips.

That’s all it takes for the tightness coiled within me to ease.

There’s nothing better than having family in the stands cheering you on.

All right, maybe that’s not altogether true.

My gaze drifts to the box after another pass around the zone.

Callie is still MIA.

Part of me wonders if she plans to attend.

And if she does show her face, will she be wearing my jersey?

Will she let me claim her in front of everyone?

“Not here yet, huh?” Maverick asks, keeping pace with me.

Ten years ago, we were bitter rivals, both on and off the ice. I stole his high school girlfriend, and he ended up having a secret relationship with my sister in college.

I was afraid he was using her to get back at me.

And I couldn’t have been more wrong.

It took some time for us to see eye to eye, but now the guy is more than just my brother-in-law. He’s one of the few people I trust with my sister, niece, and nephew. Maverick McKinnon has turned out to be a good man.

He’s an even better husband and a phenomenal father.

Not to mention, a damn good friend.

“Nope,” I say, my gaze searching the suite for what feels like the hundredth time.

“You think she’s going to show?”

“I sure as hell hope so,” I mutter, more to myself than him.

I’ve played in hundreds of games and scored more goals than I can count. But I’ve never wanted anyone in the stands the way I want to see her smiling face in the crowd.

Knox skates up beside us and bumps shoulders with Maverick.

A cocky grin simmers around the edges of his lips. “Hey, old man. Nice to see you finally decided to join a winning team for a change.”

Mav snorts. “You’re hilarious, McNichols. You couldn’t pay me enough to be teammates with you.”

“Yeah, I can imagine. It would really suck not being the best out there, wouldn’t it?”

Maverick just shakes his head, refusing to take the bait. “You remind me so damn much of your brother. That’s not a compliment. How’s Colby doing these days?”

Knox’s grin transforms into something more genuine. “Expanding the bloodline. Avery’s still got him wrapped around her little finger, and Britt’s due with baby number three in the spring.”

“We’re playing Milwaukee next month,” Mav says, shifting his stick between his gloved hands.