I need to focus.

Getting this job was a huge deal. Sure, Brian certainly had some sway over whether or not I was hired, but I'm the first Black photographer for the California Cyclones. An unspoken weight is on my shoulders to capture the best photos the team's ever seen, and yet...

Releasing a frustrated sigh, my eyes stray back to number three and that spoken promise he left me in a hotel room six days ago. Granted, Connor isn't the type to settle down. Hell, he said he wasn't used to having a serious conversation when, for the past five and a half years, serious is all I've ever known. We're like oil and water.

But he had also said he wanted our next kiss to be special, and what the hell does that even mean? The rational part of me wants to say this is just what he does to get into a woman's pants, and it's certainly the logical explanation. Connor doesn't settle down. But the photographer part of me? The one who notices the details? It causes a tiny bud of hope to stir in my chest, and I don't like it one bit.

When Coach blows the whistle for a water break, number three skates over to me instead. He takes off his helmet, shaking out those damn curls, and fuck, he's so hot when he's sweaty. "Hi," he pants with a lazy smile. "You look beautiful today."

"Connor," I warn.

"Hmm?"

"Your Coach will come back on the ice any second."

He wrinkles his nose. "Is it a crime to speak to someone?"

No, but if what Esme said is true and Connor honestly doesn't focus on any other girl during practices? Coach will think something suspicious is going on between us, which will eventually travel back to Brian. I can't let that happen.

"No, but you should be practicing. I'm working."

"Didn't seem like it to me from the way you've been checking me out for the last ten minutes. I think I need to invest in a bib for you relatively soon."

I roll my eyes. "You are so full of yourself."

"Not full of myself. Just speaking the truth." He leans over the ledge of the rink to whisper in my ear, "You don't need to check me out. Whenever you want me, we can sneak off to the bathroom. I'll strip myself of this jersey, kiss those beautiful lips of yours, and let you feel whatever it is you're daydreaming about. Then, we'll come back out here as if nothing happened."

Fuck. The feel of his breath along my ear has my pulse sky-rocketing. My vision is hazy as I recall that night between us, knowing exactly how much pleasure he could bring me if we escaped to the bathroom. But then, an unexpected flicker of disappointment floods me.

"I...I thought you wanted our next kiss to be special. Does a bathroom really meet those expectations?"

He chuckles, pulling away from my ear to grin wickedly at me. "I fully intend on having our next kiss be one to remember, Aria, but the lips I was referring to just now aren't the ones on your face."

Oh.

My.

God.

My skin is on fire. Every single inch of it. I have no idea what expression I have on my face, but it makes Connor burst into laughter. An honest, deep laugh. One that's genuine and fuck. His laugh is the best thing I've ever heard.

"You should see your face right now," he pants. "Didn't see that one coming, did you?"

"Uncle Connie!"

Whipping my head to the right, a little girl with brown curls that bounce with every leap comes racing toward the ledge of the rink. She bounces on her toes, her arms stretched high, and when I look back at Connor... I'm a dead girl.

There's a softness in his eyes as he stares down at who I assume is his niece. She's adorable in a miniature jersey with his name and tiny black bows holding her pigtails back.

"Janie bug!" He shouts. "I didn't know you were stopping by today."

Janie bug?

There goes my fucking heart.

The smile he gives her is precious, and before I can think about it, I snap a photo of him to capture it. I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't.

Connor pulls his attention away from the little girl on the other side of the ledge, arching a brow. "Was that necessary?"

"Completely," I confirm.

A man who I've never seen before comes up behind the glass, waving excitedly with what seems to be a sarcastic smile. He's tall with brown curls and a face chiseled almost identical to Connor's. But this person has tattoos covering his left arm and piercings decorating his face. This must be his brother, but holy hell. They look like complete opposites. "Hey, Connie!" He says with that same fake grin. Glancing between us, he adds, "Janie wanted to stop by today to see her favorite uncle."

Connor narrows his eyes. "I'm sure she did, but why are you here, Everett? Emery always brings her. You hate sports."

Everett places a hand over his heart, inhaling a dramatic gasp. "Am I not allowed to come watch my brother play hockey? I'm offended. Brian was more than willing to let us sit in on today's practice."

Okay, so they're more similar than they seem.

"And why do I feel like that's not the truth?" Connor snaps.

Everett ignores him, focusing on me. "I don't think we've been introduced."

I open my mouth but quickly close it when Connor shakes his head. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Everett presses.

"Because there's nothing you need to know," he replies.

What? I'm so utterly confused. More importantly, I'm not a fan of how that tiny bud of hope disappears into nothing but ash. Am I surprised Connor doesn't want to introduce me to his brother? I already had a growing suspicion that he was saying all of those things about a future to get into my pants, but now that it's confirmed?

A newfound anger floods my chest. How dare he make up those things only to try and sleep with me again? He is the one who brought up our future. He is the one who has been leading me on the past three weeks and now he wants to try and act like I'm nothing to him?

You've messed with the wrong girl, Connie.

"I'm Aria," I say with an overly friendly smile, sticking my hand out to Everett. "The new photographer for the California Cyclones."

Everett grins. "It's nice to finally meet you, Aria."

Finally?

The coach blows the whistle, signaling the players to get back to drills, but Connor seems frozen on the ice, unable to look away from us. He's having a staredown with his brother. Everett keeps that smile plastered on his face and ushers him to leave us. "Go ahead," he says. "Get back to work, Connie."

"Everett, I swear to god if you—"

"Holden!" Coach shouts. "Let's go!"

"You're being called," I purr.

Finally, Connor pulls his attention away from Everett to look at me, his eyes scanning my face. "You're upset."

"I'm not," I lie.

"You are. Your voice has that grit to it when you get annoyed."

How the hell does he know that?

Why does it even matter? At the end of the day, it's not like we'll be together. I'm wasting time and energy on someone who is just trying to have a second round with me. None of this is worth it.

"I wonder why she'd be upset," Everett muses. "You're not that bright if you can't piece it together, Connor."

Rolling my shoulders back, I take hold of my camera and give his brother a polite smile. "I have to get back to work, too, but it was nice meeting you, Everett."

"You as well, Aria. No thanks to Connie here. Maybe, when he gets his head out of his ass, we'll be properly introduced at some point in the future, and I can get to know you."

Connor's face pales as he realizes. "Aria, I wasn't trying to..." He sighs rather than explain since his brother is standing beside me.

"HOLDEN!"

Connor winces, cursing before he skates away from the ledge to return to drills, leaving Everett, me, and Janie alone.

"Uncle Connie is mad," Janie observes.

Everett chuckles, hoisting Janie up onto his shoulders so she can watch the practice. "He's not mad, baby girl. He's just in denial."

Author's Note: 

HELLO EVERYONE :)

I KNOW THIS WAS A SHORT CHAPTER.

That being said, there will be ANOTHER update tomorrow <3

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