5. Sienna
SIENNA
“Are you fucking with me?”
I can’t help but burst out laughing at the look of absolute awe on Garrett’s face.
“No, I’m not fucking with you. But if you didn’t want to go up there, we could just call an Uber and go home.”
“What? No. We are not doing that. Fucking hell, Sisi. I should rinse your mouth out for just suggesting it.”
“So we’re going?” I tease. There wasn’t a single moment when I thought that Garrett wouldn’t want to go up to the friends and family suite with the others.
He might have already guessed our next move—following the guys to the Fractured Compass to celebrate their win—but I haven’t confirmed it.
I’m having too much fun blowing his mind.
“Do you think Killer will be up there?” he asks excitedly.
If I thought front-row seats would ensure I get the best birthday and Christmas presents from my little brother for life, then I really maxed out when I spotted Killer loitering in the tunnel and pointed him out to Garrett.
My little brother is in love with all hockey players.
He isn’t one to discriminate, but he has a soft spot for Calvin Keller, and he always has.
And seeing him earlier, even if he wasn’t on the ice, made his night.
Well, along with the incredible game we just watched.
“Probably,” I muse.
He squeals like a preteen girl before wrapping me in another hug, almost squeezing the life out of me.
“You guys coming?” Bea calls, forcing Garrett to release me.
“I am there,” he announces, spinning around and racing after her.
“Don’t worry,” I call after him. “I know where I’m going.”
He spins around with a wince and an apology in his eyes, although at no point does he slow down to wait for me.
“This is hands down the best night of my life,” he confesses after he’s taken a sip of his Malibu and Coke and scanned the room for the tenth time, looking for players.
I can’t help but roll my eyes at him. Does he really think they have the ability to slip into the room unnoticed?
Not only is everyone here buzzing to see their loved ones after that performance, but hockey players live for the praise and to be the center of attention at all times.
They will make sure to announce their presence.
“What about last night?” I tease.
“Pfft, already forgotten.”
“You’ve still got the hickeys,” I say, nodding at the angry red marks on his neck.
“Meeting a hockey player trumps sex with a stranger.”
“Said like a true whore,” I mock.
“Oh, shut it, you. Maybe if you got some every now and then, you wouldn’t be so uptight and judgy.”
“Judgy? Me? Dude, you know that’s not what I’m doing. You go out there and sow all your oats if it makes you happy. Just make sure you’re safe. I refuse to have to write ‘beloved brother, but was constantly led astray by his dick’ on your headstone.”
“You would not.”
I shrug, fighting like hell not to laugh. “The best bit about it is that you’d never know,” I say before barking out the laugh I’m holding in.
“It’s a good thing you’re awesome.”
“Right?” I say, wiping away the tears that have formed.
Garrett takes another sip of his drink. “I’m always safe.”
“I know you are, bro. I’m just yanking your chain.”
“You think a hockey player would?”
“Would what?” I ask, confused.
“Yank my chain.” He wiggles his brows as he says it, and I groan.
“As far as I know, you and them play on different teams.”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I refuse to believe that. There has to be at least one player on every team in the league who is secretly gay.”
“Okay, let’s hear it then. Give me your predictions.” I lean in closer, desperate to hear what his gaydar is telling him.
“I always hoped it would be Killer. I think the two of us would be very happy together.”
“He is not gay. Have you looked him up online? He’s pictured with a different woman every week.”
Garrett raises his brows. “It seems like someone has looked him up?”
“We’re…friends?” I don’t mean for it to come out like a question, but the memory of the last time I saw him at Bea’s slams into me, and I can’t help but wonder if we come anywhere close to that category. Maybe we’re just acquaintances. His friend is marrying my friend. Friends-in-law, or something.
“Something you need to tell me, sis?”
“Hell no. I’m not hooking up with a player. They only want a bit of fun.”
“And what’s wrong with fun?”
“Nothing. I’m all for fun. Just not the kind that will have me emotionally invested and hurt the second it’s over and I’m sent away. Plus, it would be hella awkward if I were to hook up with any of the guys, considering our lives are forever going to be interconnected, thanks to Bea.”
“She really did us a solid by hooking up with Rett, huh?”
I’m about to remind him that he was going to tell me who he thinks is gay on the team when the door flies open, and Lincoln Storm, Everett Donnelly, and Kodie Rivers walk in.
“Oh my god,” Garrett gasps, his hand fanning his face like he’s about to pass out.
I shake my head, laughing at him living his best fanboy life.
His eyes don’t leave them as they make their way to their girls just a few feet from us. I give them a moment before I take Garrett’s hand and drag him over.
“What are you doing?” he hisses at me.
I frown. “Introducing you? What else would I be doing?”
“Sienna,” he whispers. “I-I don’t think I—”
“Hey, Rett, this is my brother, Garrett. He’s a huge fan.”
Garrett’s hand trembles in mine as Rett turns his eyes on him.
“Hey, man. It’s good to meet you. Did you enjoy the game?”
Beside me, Garrett freezes. When I glance over, I’m pretty sure he’s even stopped breathing.
Rett shoots a glance at me, his brows pinched in confusion. Or maybe it’s concern. I’m not sure.
“Sorry, he’s a huge fan. It’s either this or he’d be bear-hugging you.” I laugh.
“Yeah, I think I’d prefer this.”
“I just…” Garrett blurts. “I just can’t believe I’m here and meeting you.” He suddenly sticks his hand out. “I’m sorry. I’m not usually this starstruck.”
Rett chuckles. “It’s okay, man. I know I’m a pretty big deal.”
“Babe, seriously?” Bea snorts as Linc moves closer.
“Linc, this is my brother, Garrett.”
Thankfully, Garrett is a little more eloquent this time and congratulates Linc on his performance tonight.
I look at Kodie, but he’s locked in conversation with Casey and is giving off serious “don’t talk to me” vibes, so I figure maybe we’ll get the chance to chat later.
I stand and listen as Garrett nerds out, telling Linc his own stats—that I’m sure he’s more than aware of—and some other observations he’s made of his performance so far this year.
Thankfully, it’s all positive, and Linc is kind enough to humor my brother, even asking a couple of questions, which makes Garrett beam like an idiot.
“Bro, you listening to this?” Linc says, backhanding Rett in the stomach so hard he coughs out a breath.
Garrett looks at me, stars glittering in his eyes that Linc is so invested in what he’s saying that he’s dragging someone else into the conversation.
“He seems to be having a good time,” Bea says, stepping to my side.
“He’s living his dream right now. Thank you for getting us tickets.”
“Girl, you know you don’t have to thank me. Rett is the one with the access to tickets,” she adds with a wink.
“Well, considering you’re the one fucking him, you get the credit.” She smiles at me. “How are you doing, Momma?”
“Tired. My feet are massive. I can’t wait for the day when I can’t actually see them. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.”
I grimace. “I feel bad making you work so much to cover me. I told you we could have gotten someone else in.”
“It’s fine, Si. I’m pregnant, not dying.”
“I know,” I concede. “I just don’t want to be the reason you’re overdoing it.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m fine. I promise.”
Movement over her shoulder distracts us, and we both watch as Killer, Handsy, and Hayden come stalking over.
Hayden is beaming from ear to ear. He’s either still riding high from his performance tonight, or he’s stolen a few minutes of Hailee’s time.
Honestly, I’m pretty sure it’s the latter.
That guy is so gone for his girl. It’s cute as hell.
“Hey, I’m Hayden Monroe,” he says, holding his hand out to Garrett long before anyone has a chance to introduce him.
“Uh, hey. I’m Garrett. Sienna’s brother.”
“Ah, sweet. You enjoy the game?”
“Hell, yeah. It was incredible. You’re killing it out there. Coach made a great decision putting you in the starting lineup. Watching you, you wouldn’t know you’re new to it.”
Hayden beams at the praise, but I don’t miss the way Killer grimaces beside him.
It doesn’t escape my notice that he isn’t as forthcoming as Hayden in introducing himself to the new member of the group.
The guy I met that first night in the club would have.
It makes me wonder just how badly this injury is affecting him.
“Killer,” I say, dragging his attention to me. “This is Garrett. He’s a huge fan.”
“Hey,” Killer grunts.
“Gutted not to see you play tonight,” Garrett says. “Can’t wait to see you back on the ice.”
“Yeah, same,” Killer says with limited enthusiasm.
Garrett glances at me. He’s been obsessed enough with Killer over the years to know that this demeanor isn’t normal for him.
There’s a beat of silence as everyone else glances at Killer, but Rett eventually helps his defensive partner out and says, “You guys coming out for a drink with us?”
I’m pretty sure Garrett swallows his own tongue.
“Yeah, we’d love to. Isn’t that right, G?” I ask, elbowing him in the ribs.
“Y-yeah. Would love to.”
“Okay then,” Rett says before looking around to see who’s appeared since we’ve all been chatting. “We’re meeting Parker and Hailee there,” Linc says.
“Let’s head out then.” Rett throws his arm around Bea and gently directs her toward the door, all the while whispering what I can only assume are dirty things in her ear.
I don’t realize I make a noise until Garrett turns me to and asks, “What was that?”
“Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”
“No, you kinda grunted. You jealous, Sisi?” he asks, glancing at the happy couple ahead of us.
“I don’t want to bang a hockey player.”
“I’m not saying you do. You want the relationship, though, don’t you?”
“I’m not sure that’s a secret, G. I’m not the kind of girl who can do hookups. Not really. I’m always looking to the future and wondering what if, even if they’re utterly unobtainable.”
“You’ll find him,” he says confidently, wrapping his arm around me and squeezing supportively. “And who knows, he might be closer than you think.”