The air in the ice arena feels familiar, almost likeing home, as Ava and I weave through the crowded lobby. I grew up in this ce, spent hours on the ice, goofing around with teammates, andter, coaching my little brother’s team to help Mom with the bills. This arena is in my blood, and yet tonight, it feels different. It’s not just about hockey or family, it’s about the girl walking beside me.


    I steal a nce at Ava.


    The knot of anxiety that’s been sitting in my chest for days starts to loosen.


    I want to bring her into my world and share the things with her that matter to me. I’m hoping it’ll help break down some of the walls she’s built around herself, the ones I understand so much better after what she confided.


    Ollie’s team is already warming up on the ice. When I catch his eye, he lifts his chin in a gesture that makes him seem older than he is. I nod back, feeling that familiar burst of pride every time I see him out there. He’s grown into a hell of a yer.


    Before I can take another step, small arms wrap around my legs, and I look down to find Kia grinning up at me.


    “Hey, squirt,” I say, hauling her into my arms. She squeals before trying to wriggle away when I blow a raspberry against her neck.


    Ava watches, a smile tugging at her lips.


    I nod toward the blonde at my side. “Remember Coach Ava from the clinic?”


    Kia’s face lights up in recognition, but she quickly ducks her head against my neck, giving Ava a shy wave.


    I almostugh.


    Kia, shy?


    Yeah, right.


    The kid doesn’t have a shy bone in her body.


    “It’s nice to see you again,” Ava says. “Have you been practicing some of those hockey moves since Ist saw you?”


    Kia straightens in my arms, all bright eyes and bouncy curls. “I had a lesson with Coach Jay on Saturday! It was fun.”


    Ava smiles at her. “I’m d. Having fun is the most important thing.”


    Kia nods before turning back to me. “Can we get popcorn and a pretzel?”


    I narrow my eyes. “Did you eat dinner?”


    She gives me a mischievous smile. “We had grilled cheese.”


    “You sure about that? ’Cause I don’t want Mom yelling at me for feeding you junk food again.”


    Her grin widens, and I get the feeling she’s ying me, but I can’t say no to her. “All right, fine,” I grumble, setting her down. “If Mom says otherwise, you’re in big trouble.”


    She grabs my hand and pulls me toward the concession stand as Ava trails behind us. We load up on popcorn, pretzels, and drinks before settling on the bench next to my mom. She greets Ava with a smile, but I can tell she’s surprised to see her again. Mom knows I don’t bring girls to family events. She’s definitely going to have questions.


    As the game gets under way, I can feel my attention split between Ollie on the ice and Ava beside me. Kia has climbed onto Ava’sp, and Theo is practically glued to her other side, asking a million questions. It’s moments like this—seeing her here with Kia, with my family—that make me realize how much I want her to be part of my life.


    Ollie’s skating out there like a pro. He’s definitely got moves. I’ve watched him grow from a wobbly kid, clutching the boards, to a yer whomands attention when he’s on the ice. Every time he gets near the puck, anticipation builds. Then he makes a break for it, weaving through the defense, his eyes locked on the goal.


    The arena erupts when he scores, the sound deafening in the small rink. Ollie pumps his fist in the air, and for a second, our gazes meet across the ice. All I see is my little brother, beaming with joy as his teammates swarm him in celebration. In that moment, I’m proud of the yer he’s be.


    If Ollie continues to grow and improve the way he has these past three years, there’s no way that Division I schools won’t be vying for him to y for their programs. It makes all the hustling I’ve done while in college totally worth it.


    How could I regret any of it when I’ve been able to give my siblings everything they need?


    Dad would be proud that we’ve managed to hold everything together in his absence. It wasn’t easy, but we’ve done it.


    A thick lump of emotion rises in my throat. When my gaze gets snagged by Mom’s, her lips lift into a soft smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes, and I get the feeling she’s thinking about him as well.


    After Ollie’s team pulls off a win, all the fans flock to the lobby. They talk about the highlights and grab snacks while waiting for the yers to get released from the locker room. I nce over at Ava, who’s still chatting with my mom. It would be hard not to notice that Kia’s hand is wrapped in hers, as if they’ve known each other forever.


    Fifteen minutester, Ollie finally emerges, grinning from ear to ear.


    We bump fists. “Good game, little bro. You were on fire out there.”


    He shrugs, trying to y it cool, but I can see how much he’s buzzing from the win. “Thanks.”


    I ruffle his sweat-soaked hair. “Keep ying like that, and you’ll have college coaches knocking down your door.”


    His eyes light up, but he jerks his shoulders again, trying to downy it. “Yeah, that might be cool.”


    “It would be more than cool, dude. It’d be amazing.”


    Momes over, gathering Kia and Theo. She looks at Ava with a warm smile. “Thank you for joining us tonight. I know it meant a lot to Ollie.”


    Ava smiles back. “I had fun. I’d love to do it again sometime.”


    Mom nces between the two of us, and I know she’s filing this moment away forter interrogation. “We’d love to have you.”


    As we say our goodbyes, I slip a little extra cash into Mom’s pocket, and she squeezes my arm, her eyes shining with appreciation. “I love you, Hayes.”


    “Love you too.”


    I hug Theo and give Kia a kiss on the cheek before we part ways.


    The drive back to campus is quiet, the kind offortable silence I don’t usually experience with girls. The radio hums softly in the background as I nce at Ava. The way she interacted with my mom and siblings tonight… it did something to me.


    Something I didn’t expect.


    “I like your family,” she says after a while, breaking the silence. “Your mom is really nice.”


    I nod, keeping my eyes fastened to the road. “Yeah, she’s the best. It’s been tough since Dad died, but we’re hanging in there. I try to help out as much as I can.”


    Ava reaches over, her fingers gently resting on mine. It’s a small gesture, but it makes something tighten in my chest.


    “You’re a great big brother. It’s obvious how much they all look up to you.”


    I swallow hard. It would be impossible not to feel the weight of her words. “I’m just doing what I can. After Dad… it’s like we didn’t have anyone else to lean on but each other.”


    There’s a pause before she shifts in her seat, her voice soft. “I noticed you gave your mom money before we left. I didn’t realize you have a job.”


    My fingers tighten on the steering wheel as I keep my tone casual. “Yeah, I do some frence stuff online. It helps pay the bills.”


    My muscles remain tense as I wait for her to bombard me with questions. None of my teammates work. There aren’t enough hours during the day when you’re a Division I athlete. Hockey is like a full-time job with school. There’s a lot of guys who refuse to get into rtionships because it’s just another timemitment that pulls them away from their sport.


    When a handful of seconds ticks by and she doesn’t say a word, I nce at her with a cocked brow. “Not going to ask about the specifics?”


    Our gazes lock for just a heartbeat or two before I force mine to the dark ribbon of road stretched out beyond the windshield.


    “Nope. I really hate when people stick their nose into my business. So I’m not going to be a hypocrite and do it to you.”


    Her honesty hits me, and before I can stop myself, I blurt, “I hope you realize I’m still going to be all up in your business because I want to know every damn thing about you.”


    She gives me a small smile, but there’s something in her expression that makes me think she’s still holding back. After what she’s been through, I can’t me her. It’s going to take time for her to open uppletely.


    But I’m willing to wait.


    As we drive, her hand stays wrapped in mine. The simple contact feels more intimate than anything I’ve experienced in a long time.


    Maybe ever.


    “My sister really likes you,” I say, breaking the silence again.


    “I like her too,” Ava replies softly. “I like all of them.”


    I nce at her, my heart thudding in my chest. “How about me, Tink? Do you like me as well?”


    The questiones out before I can stop it, but I don’t regret it.


    I need to know where I stand with this girl.