Chapter Five

Flynn

“I broke up with Matt,” I blurt out, surprising myself. My nerves are frayed, between everything that happened with Matt and coming face-to-face with my old best friend. I fall back onto the couch, unable to look at my brother. I’ve never really come to him about boy trouble. Maybe because I never had a situation I couldn’t navigate myself, and Oli is overprotective.

“Yeah, I figured as much. What did you do to the guy?” my brother immediately asks, sounding resigned. It infuriates me that he expects that I caused the breakup. True that, in the past, it was always me breaking up with a guy and not the other way around. But those relationships never involved cheating. If I were honest with myself, which I hate to be, I would admit that none of those guys ever got me all tingly and excited.

Tears sting my eyes. I don’t mean for it to happen, but I have no control.

My brother blows out a breath and says, “Shit, come here, Flynny. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

I’m not the type to break down this way.

“I’m not sure what the hell I’m supposed to do.” He continues to rub my back, and it feels nice. He clearly knows exactly what to do, even though he thinks he doesn’t. Having his support has always meant everything to me.

I work hard to gain some composure, and pull my head back, swiping tears from my eyes. Black mascara stains my fingertips. I cry harder.

What felt difficult to discuss a moment ago suddenly comes pouring out of me like tap water. “Matt cheated on me with the receptionist at work. I walked in on them.”

My brother lets out a loud hiss and shoots to his feet. “Mother fucker! I’m going to pound him.” His fists are clenched at his sides. I stand up, but even though I’m five-eight, my brother towers over me at six-two.

I touch his shoulder. “I already got him. Sucker punched him at work today.” I swipe another tear from my eye then burst out laughing as I remember Matt toppling over and holding his stomach.

“That’s my girl.” He gives me a hug.

I pull my head back and shake my head. “It was so not okay, Oli. I’m a grown woman. There should’ve been a better way to communicate my feelings.”

Oli shrugs. “The guy essentially sucker punched you by cheating on you. You weren’t expecting it. You simply returned the favor.”

I smile. My brother always makes me feel better. “Thanks. Now that you’ve explained it that way, I feel so much better,” I say sarcastically and laugh. At least I made sure there were no witnesses, especially since I work in a law firm and not on an ice rink.

I take a seat back on the couch and tuck my feet underneath me. “Sit. I kind of need to ask you something.” I wince a little, knowing he likes his freedom.

My brother shakes his head back and forth. “You don’t even have to ask. Why do you think this apartment has two extra rooms? You know you always have a place with me.”

My lower lip trembles. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. “Thanks, Oli.”

He runs his fingers nervously through his hair, looking helpless. “Shit, is this something new? I’m not used to the teary version of you.”

His response causes me to laugh again, and I feel a little crazy for crying and laughing in a span of a minute. “Seriously, you need a girlfriend. You need to learn about emotions,” I snicker.

“Pfft. I have plenty of time for that. I want to enjoy my life.” He leans forward and gives me a hug. “Make arrangements with a moving company. You don’t need to face that asswad. Stay as long as you need. This is your home, too.”

I purse my lips, trying to hold back more tears. I don’t want to turn into a bawling mess again and freak Oli out even more. “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me. What’s mine is yours. You know that.” He gazes at me with sad eyes. I hate that he feels sorry for me. “I think you should come to the game tonight. It’ll help clear your head,” he suggests.

“I have a lot of work to do.” I frown. I need some alone time to grasp all the changes in my life. I moved to a new city, got a new job, and had my boyfriend cheat on me all in a span of a couple of months.

“You’re always working hard. You need to get out and have a little fun. Come to the game. We’ll hit a bar after.” He pauses, and his brows dip together before he points at me. “Not too much drinking for you, though. You can’t handle your alcohol.” I don’t call him on it because I know he feels the need to protect me, and saying he’s acting like my father is too painful.

I don’t want to disappoint him. “Okay,” I concede with a resigned tone, knowing full well that many people in this city would die to be in my position, receiving rink-side tickets.

“Good. Tell that friend of yours to come if you want. I’ll let security know you’ll be meeting us by the locker rooms after the game.” He nods and yawns.

“Thanks, Oli.” I smile at him, and he grins.

“’Kay.” He claps his hands together. “I need to rest up a little.” He turns to walk out of the room.

I head to my new room to decompress. After a nice long soak in the large tub, I throw on some lounge pants and a T-shirt and grab something to eat.

Later, I put a little too much effort into the way I look. It irks me that I’m doing it because I know I will see Myles later. Butterflies swarm my stomach, and they aren’t the good kind. Too much has happened with Myles. If my brother has it in his head that we’re somehow reverting back to the Three Musketeers, he’s dead wrong.

I’m nervous about dealing with Myles on my own, so I call Sloane.

She finally picks up after many rings.

“Sloane, are you okay? I was getting worried when it rang so long.” She’s permanently attached to her phone.

“Yeah, I was just in the shower. I needed to relax after the interview.”

“How did it go?”

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Anyway, what’s up? Did you speak to Oli? Will he let you stay?”

“I didn’t even need to ask. He’s a good brother.”

“Freaking amazing brother. I hate being an only child.”

“He really is. Oli wants me to watch their home game tonight. I haven’t seen him and Myles play together since they were in the hockey league back in Canada.”

“And since you decided Myles was the love of your life.” Sloane finishes the sentence that in a million years I would never admit to out loud.

“Not exactly. I had a silly teenage crush. That was it. Then it was over. I’ve told you the story. Don’t make me repeat it.”

“Why not? It’s so much fun listening to you squirm. I’ve known you a long time, and I’ve never seen a guy cause this type of reaction in you. I’m kind of jealous.”

“He causes a negative reaction. Nothing to be jealous about. And I had a reason for calling.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Oli told me to invite you to the game tonight. Rink-side tickets.”

It sounds like her phone falls and hits the ground before I hear a loud cheer in the background. I’m taking it she wants to come. Good. A few seconds later she picks up the phone, panting.

“So, you’re in?” I ask, even though I don’t need confirmation.

“Definitely.”

“We’re going to a club after with the guys, so you may want to dress appropriately. I’m in jeans and a turtleneck sweater because most of my clothes are still at my old apartment.”

“I feel faint,” she says dramatically. I forget I don’t lead a normal life.

“Sloane?” I ask because the line has gone quiet.

“Yes?” her voice is a high-pitched squeal.

“Make sure I don’t say anything stupid around Myles tonight. He’s my past. Your job is to make sure he stays there.”

“Sure, babe. Walk in the park,” she answers, and I want to tell her that it will be no easy feat. When we were younger, the electricity between Myles and me was combustible, and something tells me that hasn’t changed.