SWNOVELS Break My Heart: Chapter 10
“Are you guys excited?”
Ollie jerks his shoulders, attempting to act indifferent, but the brightness in his eyes gives him away. “Yeah, I guess.”
I glance at him with a hiked brow. “You guess, huh? Well, I can always call Ma and have her pick you up if you’ve got better things to do with your time.”
His eyes widen, panic flaring for a moment, before he quickly shakes his head. “Nah, that’s all right. I’ll stay and skate.”
It’s tempting to call him out on his bullshit, but I bite back the sharp retort. Thirteen is a rough age. Everything changes and the world feels like it’s shifting beneath your feet. He’s at that stage where acting like you care is uncool, but I know better. Deep down, he’s still the same kid who used to look up to me like I hung the moon.
I remember what it was like, the confusion and awkwardness of trying to grow up. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating when he gives me attitude.
Theo, on the other hand, is practically bouncing off the walls, barely able to contain his exuberance. His wide grin and sparkling eyes are contagious, and I can’t help but ruffle his messy blond hair. “You gonna get out there and show them how it’s done, buddy?”
“Yup!” Theo beams up at me, vibrating with enthusiasm.
I glance down at Kia, her small hand safely tucked in mine. She’s the youngest but just as determined as her brothers. She already loves the ice, and there was no way she’d let me bring the boys without her. Mom coaxed her to try ballet and soccer, but Kia only wants to play hockey.
Just like her big brothers.
When she looks up at me, I smile. “Ready, squirt?”
“Ready!” she chirps, voice bursting with just as much excitement as Theo’s.
We head to the locker rooms to get them geared up for the clinic. I poke my head inside to make sure everyone’s decent before leading Kia in to get changed. She wrinkles her nose at the distinct smell of stale sweat and gear that permeates the space.
“It’s stinky in here,” she says, her face scrunched with disgust.
I laugh and gently flick the tip of her nose. “Trust me, you get used to it.”
I unzip her bag and pull out her gear, then she steps into her hockey pants, and I strap on her chest and elbow pads. Next come her socks, which I tape in place, and finally her skates. I tug her practice jersey over her head, then carefully secure her helmet.
“All set, squirt?”
With a nod, she hops in place with pent-up energy. Once everyone is dressed, we check in with Maverick at the registration table. He flashes a grin when he sees us, fist-bumping the kids.
“Man, you’ve all really grown since last year. What are you eating for breakfast, steroids?” Maverick jokes, giving Ollie a teasing look.
My brother stands a little taller, trying to look bigger than he is. He’s always been on the shorter side, much to his irritation.
After we exchange a few more words, I hustle the kids onto the ice, getting them settled with their age groups.
I pat Theo on the helmet. “I’ll be right over there if you need anything, okay?”
He nods as I take off. The players will rotate through different stations before scrimmaging later. I’m supposed to help Maverick, but my attention gets snagged by something—or rather someone—on the ice.
Ava.
Her blonde ponytail swings behind her, catching the light as she skates across the rink. Every time I’ve watched her on the ice, her hair has been pulled tight into a bun. Seeing the golden length flowing down her back has my mind going places it probably shouldn’t. I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to wrap it around my fist and feel it in my hands while—
I change direction, my feet moving before I’ve even made a conscious decision. It’s like there’s an invisible thread pulling me to her. One that’s impossible to resist.
When I catch her eye, she tilts her head and meets my gaze with a steely look of her own.
“Kind of late, aren’t you?” she says, her voice dry.
I smirk, unable to resist needling her. “Anxious to see me again, Tink?”
With a snort, she crosses her arms and glances away. “I think we both know nothing could be further from the truth. And stop calling me that.”
My mind comes up with and then rejects a dozen different responses.
I’m not used to playing it cool, and I sure as shit don’t have to try this hard to secure someone’s attention.
That realization only makes me want to break down the walls she’s erected to keep me out even more than before.
“Have you given anymore thought to grabbing that coffee with me?”
“Actually,” she says with an exaggerated pause, “I forgot all about it.”
I press my hand to my chest. “Ouch. That stings.”
She arches a brow. “Doubtful.”
Even though she’s doing everything possible to keep me at a distance, I refuse to walk away. There’s something here, something that demands to be explored.
My guess is she feels it too.
Before I can say anything else, Coach skates over, his narrowed gaze bouncing between us.
Suspicion darkens his features. “Hayes, help Sanderson with the drills.”
I blink. “I thought I was with Maverick.”
Coach’s stare turns a few shades colder. “McKinnon’s got it under control. Assist Sanderson.”
Translation: Get the hell away from my daughter.
“Sure thing, Coach.” I give Ava one last look, but she’s already skating away.
I head toward the opposite end of the rink. It’s a challenge to keep my mind focused on the drills and not the blonde figure skater. Every couple of minutes, my attention gets snagged by her.
And when she drops the prickly demeanor and smiles at the kids?
It’s like a punch to the gut that leaves me feeling even more off-kilter than before.
That’s when I realize that whatever this is won’t just fade away.
The question is, what the hell am I going to do about it?