The Captain's Rule: She's Off Limits

OL

Mia says beside me as the are

t the metal railing, a massive smirk on her face. She's wearing an oversi

ing over the screaming crowd. "I'm watching the

number forty-four, the defenseman currently yelling at the ref. But your ey

s pressing into a tigh

game, but you'd think it was the national championship. The air inside the arena i

ir minds. And they're

Donovan

campus golden boy who looks like he belongs on an N

olute bigg

now his habits better than I know my own college class schedule.

hockey stick twice against the ice-thump, thump. A lucky pre-game ritual he's kept since high school

insignificant habit. But my heart d

oulder against mine. "The pining is getting

pang of genuine ache hits my chest.

safer wor

ho sat on the bleachers doing homework while they practiced. Jace was the nice, impossibly handsome

a kid. Untouch

baby

identity, building a life that doesn't revolve around being a shadow to my brother or a secret admirer to his best fri

him... who am I e

, the cr

ive. My eyes instantly lock on

n caught him completely blind. The impact is brutal. A heavy, bone-crushing body chec

AC

tting the boards echoes

tal railing so hard my knuckles turn white. A cold, sh

t," Mia mutt

tays down on one knee, his head bowe

dull buzz. Please get up, I think, my mind begging, desperate. Please, Jace, just get up. The intensity of my own fe

he m

the bench, completely ignoring the trainer who is leaning over the boards

y breath, my sho

sely. "Vi, you look like you just s

to force my voice to sound n

ng a hand dismissively. "They're basic

n, 4-3. The arena goes wild, music blasting through the speakers as

around myself. "Liam said to meet him by t

. "Maybe we'll catch a glimpse of

, pl

restricted lower level. Because I'm Liam's sister, the security guards recognize

lls like sweat, ice,

le doors open. Players start trickling out, carryin

ole

ized, a massive grin on his face. He drops his bag with

gusting," I complain, tho

s, pulling back and ruffling my hair. He nods

giving him a high-five. "You

familiar, overprotective older-brother look. "You look tired, Vi. Are you eating

rolling my eyes. "It's been three

ing. I gott

ecause the locker ro

walks

instant

dark hair is still wet from the shower, curling slightly at the nape of his neck. There's a fresh, nasty red scrape

ooks bruised. He look

ant coaches, nodding slowly, but as

nod, a polite smile, and keeps moving. He treats me

he doesn't lo

directl

unreadable. The air between us suddenly feels incredibly th

says, reaching out to c

just keeps staring at me, his dark eyes tracking over my face, my new haircut, th

tely fading into silence around us. He stares

t?" Jace asks, his voice low,

art s

t the game. He isn't

fe, it feels like Jace Donovan isn

e he's actua