Page 1 of Three Pucking Ex's Brothers

1

NORA

Everything needs to be perfect,especially today.

At least that’s what I tell myself as Abby rakes her fingers through my wet hair, massaging the sweet-smelling shampoo into my scalp. I close my eyes on impact as the familiar kiwi scent fills my lungs.

“Are you nervous?” Abby asks, and I feel my shoulders tense.

“Of course,” I tell her. “I mean, I’d be nervous if it was any guy, but Brett Sterling…”

I breathe my boyfriend’s name like it’s made of hot, melted chocolate.

“I still can’t believe you guys have been together for a whole year. I mean, you’re practically a hockey wife at this point.”

The smile that spreads on my face is irrefutable.

“Yeah…speaking of wife…”

“He did not—” Zayne pipes in as Pam smacks him in the arm.

“Let the woman talk, Zayne.”

I can’t help but laugh, because this is just par for the course with them. I’ve known Abby my entire life, and of course I’ve known her mother, Pam, forever as well. I’ve been coming to Pam’s salon since I was old enough to get a haircut, and now I work here. Though Zayne—who graduated two years behind me—and I didn’t necessarily run in the same circles in school, when Pam took him on as a stylist we quickly connected and became adult besties. Though Zayne is a gossip hound in general, I know I can trust him to keep a secret just as well as I can trust Abby.

“I think he’s going to propose tonight!” I say, feeling my lips spread into a wide grin.

“Shut up!” Zayne says, his voice elevating as Pam mutters something I can’t entirely hear with my head under the water.

Abby’s fingers slip through my hair as she rinses me.

“How can you be sure?” she asks.

“I mean, it’s just a feeling…but…we’ve been together a year and he’s made plans to take me to Francisco’s tonight, which I told him—you know in casual conversation you have to drop clues—that it would be the perfect place to propose to someone.”

Zayne chuckles. “Subtle, much?”

I can’t help but giggle back. “Well, he is a man. And a professional hockey player, so sometimes you have to spell things out.”

“Yes, because all the pucks to his head have shaved off a few brain cells,” Abby says snarkily.

“Abby!” Pam smacks her as she skitters to the back. Likely to mix some color.

“What? Just saying…” Abby glances down at me with a smirk and I can’t help but grin.

Tonight is going to be amazing. I can feel it in my bones.

Abby gently sits me up, towel-drying my hair as Zayne and I go back and forth creating all the different scenarios in which Brett will pop the question. Even Krystal, the shampoo girl they hired recently, gets in on the conversation.

When they’re done, Abby spins me in the chair, and I gasp at my reflection. My bright blue eyes stare back at me, and my hair looks amazing. Not only is that perfect shade of natural red heightened with a fresh gloss, but the curls make me look like some romantic princess. Abby removes my cape and the hair falls over my fair, freckled shoulders. The deep green satin dress I’ve chosen—for luck, of course—coupled with my skin tone and my gorgeous hair and my freshly manicured nails—a woman can never be too careful if she thinks a man is going to propose… Well, I can’t help but feel like a million bucks.

“You look stunning,” Zayne says, wrapping an arm around me as Abby beams with pride at my reflection.

“I know. Because I’m amazing,” Abby says with a smirk. I give her a soft, appreciative look.

“That you are,” I tell her, and I don’t miss the faint blush in her cheeks.

Pam gives me a knowing smile. “Eleanor Sterling. Definitely has a nice ring to it.”