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.

surprise

been really busy, and mom’s phone hasn’t been working properly. I’m sorry that you

up behind me. I felt him stand and watched as he walked over to the bathroom, tugging on his boxers as he went, “I’m just glad you’re alright,

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

a thing over here. It’s actually awesome. You know I always

laugh. “Yeah,” I

teenagers, he got so frustrated with his cell phone ringing too often that

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

happened?” I asked, wanting to know why he and my mom had been

let out a long, exasperated sigh. “We’ve just… been busy,” he replied. He almost sounded as though he had more that he wanted to say, but

there on my special day. But understanding and love for my brother quelled the

glad you and mom are okay. I’ll come to visit soon,

Taylor’s smile through the phone. “Good,” he replied quietly. “I promise we’ll

Taylor’s words, but I decided that I was

that he only had a few minutes left on the payphone and, not knowing when I would get a chance to talk to him next, I wanted to make the most of those

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

back onto the bed, the phone call leaving a hollow

turned to me, his brows creased with concern at my tear- streaked face. I sank into his arms, seeking comfort in the familiar scent

as a whisper, his

with the weight of unshed tears. “I don’t know why, exactly. I think they’re just too busy, and it’s too far. Taylor is sick,

held me tighter, his silence giving me strength. He didn’t need to say