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 emotion clear

working properly. I’m sorry that you haven’t heard from us,

stand and watched as he walked over to the bathroom, tugging on his boxers as he went, “I’m

I knew fully well that Taylor didn’t own a cell phone. “Are you

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

had to laugh. “Yeah,” I replied. “I

when Taylor 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 satisfaction as

was always a little more old- fashioned than I was. I always teased him and said that he should

know why he and

he wanted to say, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.” Listen, Nina…

me 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.

Taylor,” I murmured. ” I’m just glad you and mom are okay. I’ll come to

the phone. “Good,” he replied quietly. “I promise we’ll see each other sooner than

decided that I was just

he only had a few minutes left on the payphone and, not knowing when I would get

word. Our words, echoing with years of lost time and connection,

the bed, the phone call leaving a hollow ache in

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

asked, his voice soft as a whisper, his hand

the weight of unshed tears. “I don’t know why,

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