Page 14

twelve

GRIFFIN

Is there anything better than a game night? The anticipation, the cheering fans, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. All of it makes me feel so alive . It’s always been my favorite feeling.

“The girls are here,” Ryder says with a nod to the first row of seats beside our bench.

His girlfriend, Lexi—our former coach’s daughter—waves to him.

She’s got a huge smile on her face, and I love that they’re doing so well.

They had a rocky start to their relationship with all the shit Coach Cross put them through.

It’s good to see the rookie so happy. I know having Lexi here to cheer Ryder on when he doesn’t have any family is everything to him.

When they notice Lexi waving, Isla and Mira look our way. And I realize that the anticipation of a game night is no longer my favorite feeling. No, my new favorite feeling is the sense of pride I get seeing my wife in the seats, excited to watch me play.

My wife . Fuck, it’s still surreal. I’m married to the most stunning, intelligent, hilarious woman on the planet.

The only downer? She’s not wearing my name. Her name if she wants it.

We’ll get there.

The guys and I skate up to the glass and shout hello, wave, and generally act like besotted idiots.

Because that’s what we are. Not that Maddox or Ryder can know I’ve joined their ranks.

Hell, I’ve managed to out rank them. Because I’m married, while Madds is just engaged and Handsome is only dating his girl.

“The fuck has you grinning like an idiot?” Logan asks as he skates up beside me, gives the women a wave, then turns his attention my way. “You have gas or something? You know you shouldn’t eat ice cream before a game.”

“What?” Frowning, I shake my head at him. “You’re a moron.”

I’m grinning like an idiot because I’m married to the prettiest woman in the arena , I want to say. But I can’t. We’re keeping this a secret. For now. Which I hate, but baby steps and all that.

“I was thinking about setting my sister up,” Maddox says as he gives Mira a little nod.

It’s all I can do to keep my jaw off the ice as I turn slowly to gape at my best friend. “I’m sorry, what?” I glance at my wife as she waves hi to Sebastian when he comes to drag our asses away from the boards to warm up.

“I’ve just been so happy with Isla, and I know Mi-Mi has always wanted that, you know? She’s not like me. She’s never given up on the idea of finding love, and I think it would be good for her.” Maddox shrugs like he didn’t just punch me in the metaphorical nuts.

Sebastian shakes his head. “You really think that’s a good idea? I know you two are close, but setting up your little sister seems like a bad idea.”

Our goalie has no clue how bad an idea it truly is.

“You didn’t see her when I went to help her move.” Maddox’s grumpy face comes out to play. “She thought that douche was the one, and he couldn’t even be bothered to be there to say goodbye when she left.” He turns to me. “Has she ever told you what happened with him?”

A little, actually. There were a few times we both got a little tipsy while sitting around watching movies.

The wine would flow, and so would Mira’s words.

She’s only told me bits and pieces, but it’s obvious that her ex-boyfriend was an idiot.

One of those guys who thinks that just because he has a penis, the world should revolve around him.

He treated her like a queen until she moved in.

Then he started treating her like a maid. Or a mommy he could fuck.

I’ll never understand dudes like that. If you want a maid, hire one. Don’t treat your woman like that.

Graves clears his throat. Right . Got a little lost in my head there. “He took her for granted,” is all I tell him. “But if you want to know, you’ll have to talk to her about it yourself. I’m not going to betray her confidence.”

Bash pats me on the shoulder and nods approvingly.

Graves scowls and narrows his eyes. “It’s not betraying her confidence. I just want to make sure that dickhead didn’t do anything that warrants an ass-kicking.”

“Nah, man. Nothing like that. You know I’d be right there with you if he had.” Hell, I’d be ten steps ahead of Maddox if Jared had done anything insidious. Well, more insidious than acting like he didn’t know how to wash his own clothes.

Glancing behind me, I find Mira’s eyes tracking my movements.

I want to blow her a kiss or something equally cheesy, but I can’t.

So I settle for a wink and fight my inner caveman when her cheeks flush that pretty pink I love so much.

Although it’s almost impossible to tear my gaze away, I manage.

Turning to her older brother, I say, “She doesn’t need you to set her up. ”

“I know she doesn’t,” Madds says with a roll of his eyes. “But my agent’s got a nephew in marketing, and it seems like they’d have a lot in common. He’s smart, serious, and responsible. Exactly the kind of guy Mira needs. Maybe he could even help her get her business off the ground.”

“She doesn’t need some random marketing bro to help her,” I snap.

“She’s perfectly capable of doing it herself.

You should see the stuff she’s been working on.

” It doesn’t escape my notice that Sebastian is studying me.

Hell, I swear the guy can see right through me.

He’s too perceptive by half, and I’m going to need to watch myself around him.

“Let her live her life the way she wants to. She’s smart and strong and capable.

She doesn’t need her big brother setting her up. Or helping with her business.”

Maddox opens his mouth, no doubt to tell me I don’t get a say, when Coach Fry signals that it’s time to leave the ice so the crew can get it ready for the start of the game.

I hustle across the rink before Madds can say anything else, and I swear I can feel Mira’s and Sebastian’s eyes on my back the entire way while Maddox’s words swirl around in my mind, picking up speed until they feel like a whirlwind.

He’s smart, serious, and responsible. Exactly the kind of guy Mira needs.

Smart.

Serious.

Responsible.

The kind of guy Mira needs.

In other words, not me. Because I’m just the goofy idiot who makes people laugh and who doesn’t do relationships. I’m the comedic relief. The dumb jock who’s never good enough to bring home to Mom and Dad.

Never mind that Mira is happy living with me. I’m sure the thought of setting me up with his sister never crossed Maddox’s mind.

Everyone cheers and pats me on the back after I’ve washed the stink off and make my way to the family room where the women wait for us.

“Those were some serious hits tonight, Wright,” one of the security guards says with a huge grin. “Who pissed you off out there?”

My best friend .

“No one,” I say as nonchalantly as I can, even though my insides buzz with anxiety. “Just had to show their agitators what happens when you run your mouth against the Rogues.”

“I know that’s right,” the guy says, clapping. He nods his head, and I return the gesture before continuing to the room where my wife waits for me.

My wife.

At least, for now.

That thought sends a fresh wave of nausea rolling through my gut.

I need to get myself in check. Acting like a petulant child won’t win Mira over or prove that I can be the man she needs.

The other guys join me in the hall, laughing and chattering away.

We’ve got plans to go out for drinks. Ryder and Lexi want to celebrate Maddox and Isla’s engagement, since they weren’t there when it happened.

“Great game, everyone,” Lexi says when we walk into the room. She high-fives the guys as they pass before throwing herself in Hanson’s arms. “Hey, Handsome.”

All around me, couples embrace. Maddox and Isla, Ryder and Lexi, and the other guys with wives and girlfriends waiting for them.

When my eyes find Mira, she’s shuffling uncomfortably from one foot to the other as she takes in the scene.

Then those gorgeous green eyes of hers meet mine, and some of that roiling storm in me calms.

“Hey,” she says softly as she closes the distance between us.

She looks more unsure than she ever has when meeting us after a game.

Which makes sense, I suppose. Every game before this, she was merely Maddox’s little sister and my roommate.

Now? Now, Mira is my secret wife, and she’s lost her equilibrium. “You okay?”

Fuck it.

As I pull her into a hug, a deep sigh gusts from my lips, making her hair move.

“I’m fine,” I lie. And I let her go. I don’t want to, but I let her go.

Because she asked me to keep this a secret, and if there’s one thing I’m determined to do, it’s keeping my word with Mira.

Always. I want to be dependable. I want to be the person she leans on because she knows I’ll never waver or crumble.

So, as much as I want to continue holding my wife, I drop my arms and take a slight step back. “Did you have fun tonight?”

Mira is studying me, cataloging every twitch of my muscles and tic of my jaw.

She’s not buying my lie, but she lets me keep it.

Blowing out a breath, she fists the hem of her jersey—the one with her brother’s name on the back—and nods.

“I did. You killed it tonight.” Her lips twist as she tugs the pillowy lower half between her teeth.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you throw so many hits. ”

All I can do is shrug. Because the alternative is admitting that her brother made me feel like I’m not good enough for her.

His words recalled all the breakup speeches given by ex-girlfriends through college.

The alternative is admitting that I’ve never longed for anything as much as I want Mira to choose this marriage and to choose me.

And as much as this woman lights my soul on fire, I know we’re not there yet.

“Got tired of listening to their d-men chirp insults every few minutes.”

Mira continues to abuse her lower lip, but she doesn’t call me on my bullshit. Instead, she nods. “Understandable.”

“Everyone ready?” Maddox asks the group.

He’s smiling like a damn lovesick fool, and I love that for him.

I need to get my shit under control. Tonight isn’t about me or my feelings.

Tonight, we’re celebrating Madds and Isla on our home turf.

Letting my hand rest lightly on the small of my wife’s back, I suck in a slow, deep breath to calm my racing heart and gently lead her out of the family room and toward my car.