Page 20

Chapter 20

Gabi

I 've never arrived so early to a hockey game in my entire life.

The kitchen escapade with Jacob had my head spinning faster than a Zamboni on caffeine, and I wasn't entirely sure how I got through the day without combusting into a million tiny pieces.

Sitting in a seat in the Chicago Blades' arena, I try to focus on the upcoming game in front of me instead of the thoughts that are threatening to consume me.

Why did I tell him I needed space? Why couldn't I just admit what I wanted? What do I even want?

My mind is a jumbled mess, and as much as I love hockey, it's not enough to distract me right now. The aroma of popcorn and hot dogs fails to distract me from my mental whirlwind, but at least I have Lexi by my side.

Thank God for best friends.

"So, I'm glad you invited me," Lex teases from the seat beside me, a sly smile creeping across her face. "Seems like you decided to escape to the chilly embrace of a hockey rink rather than face the ghost of hookups past?"

"More like avoiding the ghost of hookups recent. Your kitchen, to be precise," I grumble, trying to focus on the players warming up rather than the memory of Jacob's hands on me.

"Listen, I'm proud of you. Yes...I had to Lysol the hell out of my kitchen. But it's good to know that even at eight months pregnant, things are still...hot in your kitchen."

I groan, burying my face in my hands for a moment. "Do we have to talk about this now?"

"Oh, come on. Stop being so serious. Your love life is spicy, girl. Embrace it." She sighs, hazel eyes going back to the ice. "It's not like all of us have the same luck."

I frown. "Why? What happened with that cute physical therapist Max?"

"Maxwell," she corrects. "And he was a dud. A so-called 'nice guy' who couldn't stop talking about himself. I'd rather discuss your hot sex than my lack of it any day."

"Fine," I said, eyes scanning the ice. "Just please keep it down. The last thing I need is Veronica Corso overhearing and adding more fuel to her already blazing bonfire of disdain."

Lexi smirked, lowering her voice. "Wouldn't want to give her any more ammo. That overpriced poodle wishes she could be as bold and brazen as you. And your," she coughs, "culinary adventures."

"Yeah, well." I shrug, trying to seem nonchalant while every fiber of my being is jittering. "It happened. It was...intense."

"That's the understatement of the century. The tension between you and Jacob could make the championship cup melt."

Rolling my eyes, I let out a dramatic sigh. "You're not helping!"

My phone pings, and I check the screen quickly.

You know what else isn't helping? My grandmother not answering her texts.

It's been a full day or so since I've talked to Nonna Chiara, and that was a phone call that lasted less than three minutes. She'd been in the middle of something, promised to call back later...and didn't.

I've tried calling her periodically since then and have gotten nothing but radio silence. It's making me nervous as hell.

"You know she could just be busy," Lexi says, probably sensing my tension.

"I know, I know. She's probably just out having fun with her friends."

Lexi raises an eyebrow at me. "Fun? You mean like clubbing or something?"

"No, no! Nonna doesn't do that kind of stuff." I pause. "Well, not in the last six months or so."

"Ah, yes. The infamous flashing incident." Lexi shakes her head. "I still can't believe she got arrested for showing that guy on the streets her breasts. I mean, for an eighty-something-year-old, she's got some moves."

I groan, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "Can we not talk about that please?"

"Fine, fine. But seriously, Nonna will be back soon. She always stays in touch." Lexi pats my hand reassuringly.

I nod, trying to push away the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. The queen of her own domain and pasta sauce empire to boot, Nonna has always been a free spirit and prone to spontaneous adventures, but something just feels off this time.

As if on cue, the buzzer signaling the onset of the game goes off.

I turn to see Jacob ending his warm-up on the ice, and to my surprise, he's staring right at me. His intense blue eyes are locked on me like I'm the only person in the entire arena. My heart skips a beat, but I quickly look away, trying to act like nothing's out of the ordinary.

Lexi nudges me with her elbow. "Uh, Gabs? Did you notice that Jacob is totally staring at you?" I shoot her a quick glare, hoping to shut down the topic, but she just smirks. "Seriously, though, do you think Gio suspects anything is going on between you two?"

"No way. Gio's always been oblivious to stuff like that when it comes to me."

Lexi doesn't look convinced. "I don't know, Gabi. Jacob keeps glancing up at you. It's like he's worried Gio might catch on."

I swallow hard, glancing down at the ice where Gio, my overprotective big brother, is currently chatting with the coach. His expression is intense, and I can't shake the feeling that he's starting to pick up on the tension between Jacob and me.

And then the game clock ticks down, and Game Three of the Chicago Blades-Seattle Sparks series officially starts. The crowd roars, and I force myself to focus on the game, not on the butterflies wreaking havoc on my stomach.

The game progresses and the tension climbs like a thermometer in the desert at noon. Jacob's normally fluid, effortless skating is stiffer, almost aggressive, while Gio plays with a ferocity that would make a grizzly bear think twice.

Every time their paths intersect on the ice, it's like a scene from an over-the-top sports drama.

"Are you seeing this, Lex?" I whisper-shout, gripping her arm. She just nods, eyes glued to the rink.

It's halfway through the second period when it happens.

Jacob and Gio are both chasing the puck, their skates cutting through the ice with machine-like precision.

Jacob gets there first, but Gio isn't willing to give up. Instead of backing off, he clashes with Jacob, slashing at the puck and nearly knocking Jacob off his skates.

My heart stops.

The two best friends, playing like they're on opposite sides of a battlefield instead of the same team. The crowd roars, just happy to see action on the ice, but I know something is terribly wrong.

Lexi grabs my hand, squeezing until my knuckles are almost white. "Gabi, I think Gio knows."

I swallow hard, the weight of her words sinking in.

My heart pounds in my chest as the conflict on the ice escalates.

The looks exchanged between Jacob and Gio are sharper than any skate blade, and it's clear they're not just fighting for the puck.

Every pass. Every check.

Each one is an act of defiance.

The way Gio takes a swing at the puck, it's almost personal.

Until finally, it happens.

The tension between them ignites into a full-blown confrontation.

Jacob shoves Gio, who retaliates with a force that could probably knock down a rhinoceros.

Sticks clash, fists fly, and for a moment, it feels like time has stopped.

The crowd is on their feet, screaming and cheering, but I can't hear anything over the sound of my own heart hammering in my ears.

I grip Lexi's hand so tightly that I'm sure she'll need an X-ray later.

"Ref! Do something!" I scream, even though I know my voice is one in a sea of thousands.

The referees rush in, trying to quell the storm, but Jacob and Gio are unrelenting—two titans clashing in a battle that’s been brewing long before any of us stepped into the building for this game.

I can barely watch, yet I can't tear my eyes away.

Each punch, each grappling move, it all feels like a punch to my own gut.

Lexi gasps. "They’re going to get themselves suspended!"

My thoughts race, jumbling over each other, fueled by my panicked adrenaline.

Dammit. Lexi's right.

Gio must know. He has to know. There's no other explanation.

How did it come to this? Two best friends, now enemies on the ice. It's like watching a break-up, only with more blood and bruises.

I start to shout at Gio, begging him to stop.

But then I see it.

The way he pauses for just a split second after each hit, as if giving Jacob a chance to strike back.

He's holding back. He doesn't want this any more than I do.

And I realize what a mess I've created.

This rivalry, this hatred between them—it's all because of me.

I once called Jacob Walker just another name on a list of mistakes. A mistake I planned on never repeating again. But I did.

I fell for my brother's best friend, and now here we are.

I let go of Lexi's hand and decide right then and there.

It's time to end this. Before someone gets seriously hurt.