Okay, maybe I escalated the level of aggression a little. I was four, after all.

Chase squeezed my shoulders, barely fighting back laughter. “You don’t say.”

“I’m going to kill you, Derek.” I narrowed my eyes at him, then at Chase.

Chase straightened his expression, feigning innocence, but it was futile. I could see the gears turning in Chase’s brain.

“No. Nope. Nuh-uh,” I said. “Don’t think you two are going to get chummy and start to conspire against me.”

Chase winked. “Too late.”

“Oh, it’s definitely happening,” Derek said.

“Absolutely not.”

Clearly, I’d have to become friendly with Derek’s new girlfriend and exact my revenge.

“Does this mean you can show me old pictures of her now?” Chase rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Specifically, the ones from junior high? She’s never let me see any of those; claims they’re too embarrassing.”

And for good reason. I had braces, acne, and the worst haircut known to girlkind. My hair was cut in a blunt bob above the shoulders, and the natural waves made it stick out at the ends like a triangle. As far as I was concerned, pictures from that time period should be disposed of permanently—preferably with fire.

I’d seen Chase’s childhood photos, and he’d never had an awkward phase. He went from adorable chubby baby to cute toddler to nice-looking kid to hot teenager. It was patently unfair, and quite honestly, it seemed impossible. Everyone had an awkward phase; that’s what kept people humble.

Then again, the lack of one explained a lot about Chase.

“I’ll kill you both,” I threatened.

Derek excused himself to catch up with his team, and Chase dipped his head, nuzzling my cheek with his nose. “You can bite me any time you want.”

* * *

CHASE

With my arm still around Bailey’s shoulders, we navigated through the parking lot over to my truck. I held the door open, waiting for her to climb in, feeling lighter than I had in days. Maybe weeks. I was back on the ice, we’d won our game, and now Bailey and I were heading out of town to spend the weekend with Dallas and Siobhan at his parents’ cabin.

My plans consisted of doing sweet, sweet nothing aside from eating, drinking, and trying to convince James to skinny dip in the hot tub with me. The cabin was in the middle of nowhere, so neighbors weren’t an issue. And we could make a schedule or something with Dallas and Shiv, right? Book some time slots?

“What’s their cabin like?” Bailey asked, buckling her seat belt.

I pulled out of the parking space and braked to let a group of Falcons fans pass. Their faces were painted crimson. It was awesome. I loved super fans.