Page 74 of Twisted Play

Eva pressed her lips between her teeth and then accepted my hand so she could hop down from the vehicle.

The cashier, Hannah, greeted us with a wave and a smile. “You came to pick up your custom order!” She’d beenworking here since the start of the season and always found reasons to chat. “Want to try them on?”

Hannah returned with the pristine white box, her fingers trailing over the logo. “I watched some of your summer league games. You’ve really stepped it up since last season.”

“Thanks.” I took the box, but she didn’t release it immediately.

“A bunch of us are going to Murphy’s after the game Saturday. You should come.”

My eyes caught on Eva, who’d carefully stepped away while Hannah flirted with me. She stood in front of the practice jerseys, fingers running over the fabric, that blank look on her face, the one of perfect composure she got when she was hiding her thoughts.

“Eva!” I called. “Come here, kitten.”

When she reached us, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her against me. She fit perfectly into my side, like she belonged there, and my heart swelled with pride when she relaxed into me instead of pulling away.

Eva traced her fingers over the pristine leather, and I had to fight to focus on the gear instead of how right she felt pressed against me.

Hannah’s smile dimmed as she watched Eva lean into me. “Let me know if you need anything else,” she said, but her flirtatious tone had vanished.

I couldn’t bring myself to care, not with Eva warm against my side, not with how natural it felt to drop a kiss on top of her head while she examined the skates. Mine, I wanted to tell everyone who looked our way.She’s mine.

“When doyou need to be home?” I asked as I loaded my skates and the other gear I’d bought into the trunk.

Eva checked her phone—wait, did she have two phones?—and sighed. “I have to stop by campus this weekend, but—” She trailed off. “I’m going to do it tomorrow. What else is on your list?”

My answering smile must have been ridiculous, because hers turned amused. “Groceries and then picking up snacks for the game tonight.”

Her brow furrowed. “Game?”

“New York Anarchists,” I said, trying to gauge her reaction. “We’re going to watch at the house. Nothing fancy—just pizza and hockey.”

Her expression softened, but something told me she was reluctant. Before she could refuse, I continued. “Come on, kitten. It’ll be a good game. The team loves you—the girls too.” I caged her against the passenger door of my Jeep and cupped her cheek. “It’ll be fun.”’

Eva’s cheeks puffed out as she exhaled, her walls not quite as high as they’d been earlier. “Just for a little while.”

“Just for a little while,” I agreed, already planning how to keep her there all evening. “But first, groceries.”

She stepped into me so I could open the door for her, and I couldn’t resist leaning down to brush my lips against hers. Even the brief contact sent electricity sparking through me. Eva’s flushed cheeks gratified me—I affected her as much as she affected me.

“Are you and your brother close?”

“He’s given me everything.”

Eva’s brow furrowed. “You’ve worked hard for what you have.”

Warmth bloomed in my chest. “Of course I have, but hockey’s not cheap. Neither are private coaches, travelteams, gym memberships, equipment—it’s all so fucking expensive. Once Coach recruited me, the university could kick in for some of it, but getting there?”

When Eva didn’t say anything, I continued, getting it off my chest. “My parents were poor—Mom’s family disowned her when she married a broke cowboy because she fell in love. They did everything they could for us, and now, my brother bought them land so they could have their own ranch. He’s investing so Dad doesn’t have to do it all himself, but all that’s expensive too.”

“You feel like you’re just one more mouth to feed,” Eva said quietly. She reached over to twine her fingers in mine. “Family’s tough, huh?”

She ran her fingers over the T-shaped scar on her collarbone. “My dad gave up everything for me,” she said softly. “I had my first heart surgery at six. And—” She stopped, and I squeezed her hand. “Anyway, I get it. It sounds like your brother loves you very much.”

“And I want to be worthy of that.”

Eva’s lips tilted up. “I think he probably loves you no matter what.”

Instead of responding, I squeezed her hand again then parked the car at the grocery store. Inside, she naturally fell into step beside me, leaning over my arm to peek at the list on my phone. The domesticity of it hit me hard, and I imagined Eva coming with me every week as I picked up my contribution to the hockey house’s pantry.