"So, what do you guys think I should do?" I asked as I finished taping the last box of my things shut.

After weeks of crashing in the spare room at Cameron and Isla's house, I'd finally managed to find an apartment of my own with the help of a couple of my teammates. It was only fifteen minutes away from the arena, and since the landlord was letting me move in right away under a month-to-month lease, I would've been a fool to turn it down. Because even though I liked being closer to my brother, we'd shared enough spaces growing up. Now, I needed my privacy, and so did he.

But before I left, I needed advice.

Despite lasting only seconds, I was finding it surprisingly difficult to forget the way Jo's lips had grazed mine the night before. We'd barely kissed, and yet when I'd settled into bed, she'd been there—front and center in my dreams.

Clearly the lack of action I'd gotten over the last couple of months was starting to affect me.

"First?" Cameron grinned wickedly. "Grow a pair of balls and ask the woman out."

Rolling my eyes, I nudged his chair with my foot, causing him to roll back a few inches. "Thanks, genius," I replied with a sarcastic drawl.

Cameron held up his hands. "You asked, man," he said, wheeling himself back to the spot at the kitchen table where he'd set up his laptop.

Turning to Isla, I hoped she'd be more of a help. "What about you? Any words of wisdom for your favorite brother-in-law?"

Her lips quirked upwards, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. That I was her only brother-in-law; which was irrelevant. "It's simple really," she said. "Do you like this woman?"

"Didn't you listen to my whole spiel?" I asked, having just explained the situation between Jo and I to them both. "Of course I like her; I just don't know what to do about it."

In university, I'd started seeing a classmate early on during freshman year. We'd clicked from the moment we met and she'd quickly become a fixture in the stands when I was on the ice. What I hadn't realized, however, was the effect hockey would have on the relationship. The more I played, the more focused I'd become with getting better. I'd started missing dates—not valuing the time we had together like I should've—yet was still surprised when she'd told me she couldn't do it anymore. That being with me wasn't worth coming in second to hockey.

After that, I'd vowed not to get seriously involved with anyone again, knowing I'd only hurt them when they realized I was more focused on my career. And in the ten years since then, I hadn't. Not really.

So, now I had two choices. I either had to take the risk and go for it or take a step back from everything and keep my focus centered around hockey.

"Well, that's the hard part out of the way," she mused. "And aren't your next few games out of town?" I nodded. Tomorrow I was off to the west coast for a short, two-game road trip. "Then focus on that. Jo knows you play for the Knights, so she won't expect to see you around this week. Take the time to figure out if you can juggle her on top of hockey, and if you think you can, then go for it. Date, have fun, just don't lead her on."

"I won't," I said. "I promise."

A snort came from across the room. "Bro, when did you start having this much trouble with women?" Cameron asked, trying to lighten the mood. "Is this just a Boston thing, or has this been going on for a while?"

Walking towards him, I crouched down and wrapped one arm loosely around his neck, bringing my free hand up to give him an old-fashioned noogie.

"Oh, you know he's just teasing," Isla said, watching the two of us as Cameron tried to shake me off, though her voice was far from reprimanding.

"I know," I replied, stepping back once I thought he'd had enough, "but he shouldn't be able to talk. He barely even dated before asking you out, and not all of us can marry the girl next door."

"Well it sure was convenient," Cameron quipped, grinning at me before turning his gaze towards Isla, his features softening.

Ten years, and still the way they looked at each other hadn't changed. It oozed trust, loyalty, and love, and admittedly, I'd always been a bit envious. Never had I met a couple with a stronger connection, and simply being around them was enough to remind me a love like theirs was possible.

One built to withstand whatever obstacles the world threw at them. One I wanted to find for myself someday. Eventually.

***

Balancing three boxes in my arms, I skillfully swiped the key fob against the front door of my new apartment building. With a beep, I was let in, and as I passed an elderly woman on my way to the elevator, I offered her a friendly smile.

Getting off on the fifth floor, I padded down the hall and unlocked what was now my home. A generously-sized one bedroom with cream walls and brand new stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. Placing the boxes down in the entryway, I saw the furniture I'd had delivered yesterday still wrapped in plastic or otherwise packaged, leaving the majority of the space barren.

It was a fresh place. And though it lacked décor or any hint of personal touches, it fit. For now.

Six more trips back to the truck was all it took for me to unload, though most of the boxes were left along the edge of the living area as I made quick work of setting up the most important part of the apartment. My bed. King-sized and comfortable as fuck, it took a little over an hour to get the frame built, but once the mattress and bedding was on, I felt nothing if not accomplished.

And beat.

I didn't want to deal with the rest of my things this late into the evening. I wanted to relax. To chill out before the stress of the road trip began to sink in, but considering the internet and cable had yet to be hooked up, there wasn't much else I could do.

Unless...

Would it make me look desperate if I were to take a drive around the neighborhood and happen to turn down the road Apollo's was on? It was much too late to drop in under the pretense of dinner, and while I'd likely order a beer, it would probably be obvious I was there to see Jo.

If she was even working.

Isla's advice cycled through my head, telling me to cool down and take my time, and I wanted to listen to her. My subconscious, on the other hand, was telling me this was the time. Time to take Cameron's advice.

Grabbing my keys from the kitchen counter, I went with my gut.

Stars littered the darkened sky as I drove, and not five minutes later, I pulled into the back lot of the pub.

Apollo's was unusually busy for a Tuesday night. A melody of loud voices overpowered the music playing from the speakers and the heavy scent of alcohol filled the air. For a moment, I second-guessed my decision to come out tonight, but as the crowd near the bar thinned out, I spotted Jo and all thoughts of retreating were swiped clean. Pouring drinks, her hair was pulled back from her face and a friendly grin graced her lips, unknowingly pulling me in.

She was back to her regular self, peppy and cordial, as though the emotions that'd consumed her last night had never been there in the first place.

Weaving my way through the crowd, my steps were slow, and by the time she finally noticed me, I'd already slid into an empty space at the opposite end of the bar. Two other bartenders helped Jo deal with the customers, and since I wasn't in any rush, I ordered a beer and waited for the crowd to disperse.

By the time Jo finished filling the drink orders being thrown her way, my bottle was nearly empty. She tapped her co-worker who'd been serving my end of the bar and asked if they could switch places. He agreed without question, just as the pair beside me ordered rum and cokes.

Jo grabbed two glass, filled them with ice, and quickly mixed the drinks before glancing my way. "A little late for you, isn't it?"

"Never too late to grab a beer," I replied, grinning.

"Right," she drawled, her gaze holding mine as she leaned forwards. "You know, you didn't have to come check on me." Her voice was quiet as her eyes dropped to the bar top. "Yesterday was... difficult, but I promise, I'm dealing with it."

The side of my mouth twitched. "I just wanted to see you," I said, earning me a half smile. "Plus, I didn't have any other plans for the night."

"Shouldn't you be resting? Aimee mentioned you guys were heading out west tomorrow."

"Trust me, rest isn't always a good thing," I drawled, resting my hands inches away from hers. "But considering there's two games, I'm hoping to get some solid ice time."

"I'm sure you will," she said encouragingly, "or else they wouldn't bother bringing you along."

I could've explained how injuries, the opposing team, and other outside factors could play a part in influencing my coach's decision on the line-up, but for the time being, it wasn't necessary.

Though I wouldn't have gotten the chance anyways as a few customers pulled Jo's attention away. She mixed a variety of drinks and popped the tops of bottle with ease, and as I watched, she truly did seem okay. She'd taken the hand she'd been dealt yesterday, faced it, and pushed passed it. And it was something to admire.

The only thing not sitting well with me was the fact she also seemed to have put the kiss behind her. Something I didn't want.

"Do you work Saturday night?" I asked when she turned back to me.

"Yeah, most Saturdays," she replied breezily, not understanding exactly what I was getting at.

So, I tried again.

"How about Sunday? I've got an afternoon game here in town, but if you're free afterwards, we could meet up for dinner. If you want to."

Surprise flickered across her expression, but it morphed quickly into a gentle softness. "Like a date?" she asked, just to make sure. When I nodded, a pinkish hue tinted her cheeks and she smiled. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Despite being shoved aside by a larger group, I grinned back. "Say... seven?"

She nodded in agreement as I backed away, leaving her to focus on her job. With one final wave, I stepped out into the chilled night air, my blood racing with adrenaline. I felt like I'd scored a game winning goal in overtime, and all I could do was hope that this boded well for the week ahead.