My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 309

Bonus 9: A Call

Nina

It was well after the party, and everyone else had gone to sleep. ]

Lori and Jessica took over the guest- room after all due to the fact that Melania, using her magic, conjured up an amazing little hut outside. When we walked into the hut, we were all astonished to see that it was bigger on the inside, although I was more astonished to see the loving look in Luke’s eyes when the attractive witch performed her trick.

The hockey team took up residence on the floor of the living room, and now Enzo and I were lying in our bed, too energized to sleep. We had a movie playing quietly on the television, but neither of us were watching it. We had … more important things to do in bed.

As the credits rolled on the screen,

Enzo and I lay comfortably entwined in the bed, a blanket draped lazily over our nude bodies.

The peaceful silence was broken only by the low hum of the movie soundtrack and our quiet breaths syncing in harmony. It was the calm serenity of shared solitude, a comforting quiet that came with the understanding that it was enough to just be in each other’s presence.

A slow smile was creeping across my face as I traced patterns on Enzo’s chest with my finger.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of my phone pierced the tranquility and caused my smile to fade.

I glanced at the screen, an unknown number flashing brightly. I furrowed my brows, expecting an annoying spam caller at this late hour. With a sigh, I picked up the call, ready to hang up at the first sign of a recorded message.

But the voice that greeted me was tar from mechanical. It was warm, familiar, and it brought a lump to my throat. “Nina?” The voice was shaky, hesitant.

the surprise and

working properly. I’m sorry that you haven’t heard from us, but we have received your

I felt him stand and watched as he walked over

in the background, but I knew fully well that Taylor didn’t own a cell phone. “Are you at

It’s actually awesome. You know I always

“Yeah,” I replied.

and I were teenagers, he got so frustrated with his cell phone ringing too often that he threw it in the street and watched with

old- fashioned than I was. I always teased him and said that he should just start

to know why he and my mom had been

sounded as though he had more that he wanted to say, but he couldn’t

like a wave. I had been clinging to the hope of my family being there on my special day. But understanding and love for my brother quelled the rising storm of sadness within me. He was sick, after all. I swallowed hard, forcing a smile

” I’m just glad you and mom are okay.

phone. “Good,” he replied quietly. “I promise

about Taylor’s words, but I decided that I was just imagining things, and decided

the payphone and, not knowing when I would get

flowed, revisiting shared memories, love and longing stitched into every word. Our words, echoing with years of lost time

phone call

down and put on another movie, turned to me, his brows creased with concern at my tear- streaked face. I sank into his arms, seeking comfort in

his voice soft as a whisper, his hand running through my hair

I replied, my voice trembling with the weight of unshed tears. “I don’t know why, exactly. I think they’re

giving me strength. He didn’t need to say anything. His presence, his arms wrapped