Page 196 of Revenge Puck

I blink rapidly, refusing to cry. But I wasn’t emotionally prepared for this level of sincerity in the middle of a professional hockey rink, with wine and white glove service.

“Did you rehearse this?” I ask, my voice on the verge of cracking.

Declan snorts. “Abso-fucking-lutelynot.”

Aaron rolls his eyes. “For the record, I still have my eyes on him.”

Declan lifts his chin. “Likewise.”

Right.

It wouldn’t be easy to forgive these transgressions. Not overnight. Not fully. What happened between them isn’t erased because someone put on a bow tie.

“But the same could be said about you,” I point out, looking at Aaron. “You’re not exactly innocent.”

His shoulders drop. “I know.”

“I’ll have to keep my eye onbothof you,” I decide, swirling the red wine in my glass.

Aaron smirks. “I welcome your supervision.”

On the ice, my brother shifts his weight and the tray in his hand wobbles.

He swallows.

“Can I set the milkshake down?” he finally blurts. “My arm is getting tired. This glass is heavier than it looks.”

“That’s because you’reweak,” Aaron jabs.

Declan’s head snaps toward him. “I am not weak. I am conserving upper-body strength.”

Aaron smirks. “You’re trembling.”

“I am not trembling.”

The tray dips again.

“Please—for the love of all that is holy, set the tray down,” I beg, pressing my lips together to keep the laughter from bubbling up as my brother takes a milkshake off the tray and sets it in the center of the table with exaggerated pomp and ceremony.

Frosted glass full of vanilla ice cream. Whipped cream. Cherry on top.

Two spoons.

Two straws.

It’s the same milkshake we had the night we went for dinner and drinks…

“You weaponized nostalgia,” I accuse softly, delighted. Completely, helplessly delighted.

I tingle from head to toe.

Aaron preens, smugly pleased with himself. “Guilty.” He pauses. “And now I’m going to feed it to you.”

My brother makes a choking sound.

“Dude.” He coughs. “I’m standing right here. At least wait until I skate away.”

Aaron doesn’t even glance at him. “I don’t know about that,” he says lazily. “Maybe you should stick around so you can learn how to properly court a lady.”