Sean doesn’t know when to stop
As she pressed the blue send button, she realized that had always been her brother’s issue. He’d kept working at that company even after red flags started to go up, kept fighting on the ice after the whistles blew, and kept holding the reins on relationships even after he’d been kicked in the chest. Kelty was good for him, but he’d lucked into that one. She was strong enough to stiff-arm him when needed, and he needed it often.
If he gets that worked up when a guy talks to you, I don’t want to see him when you’re actually dating someone
Emma groaned.Exactly, Tyler.
But . . .
Maybe her problem was that she wasn’t enough like Kelty. Instead of standing up to him tonight, she’d done what she always did. Gotten angry and stormed off. Why hadn’t she stayed at the pub?
She tipped over a bottle of toner onto a cotton pad, then swiped it over her face. Walking out had given him exactly what he wanted—Emma far away from hockey players, his teammates, and. . . far away from Tyler.
An idea coalesced in her mind, and she nearly laughed out loud as she dropped the pad in the trash.Keep it in your pants.Ha!
She picked up her phone, blood rushing in her ears. Sean needed to know that she was a grown adult. She wouldn’t storm off this time and let him think that one comment could keep her properly cowed.
Emma started a message to Tyler and deleted it.How could she possibly phrase this and not come off like a crazy person?The only option was to own it straight up.
Maybe we should see what Sean does? It might be ugly, but I’m sick of him trying to control my relationships.
You’ve probably figured out that words don’t make much of an impact on him. It usually works best to slam him against the boards.
Would you assist me with that Friday night?
Tyler started typing, then stopped. Emma watched the screen, her heart thumping in her chest. This wasn’t a smart idea, but she didn’t care at the moment. She needed to make her point, and this would do it beautifully.
I don’t usually pick fights with teammates before a game, but the idea of you gearing up to drop mitts has me intrigued
Emma grinned.Such a flirt.She started to sweat and bit the inside of her cheek. The worst he could do was say no, but based on the tidbits of information she’d gathered, she doubted he would.
Not fighting. Just pissing him off a bit.
I thought we could pretend to be together for a few minutes before the game. Make him think we’re dating.
Could be hilarious, and I’ll come clean right after, so you won’t have to do much. I’ll tell him I asked you to do it.
Hopefully that will get my point across and he’ll lay off
Emma hesitated over the send button. What was Tyler going to think of this? She glanced at the time. Midnight.
A little voice whispered that this probably wasn’t the best time to be running with vengeful ideas that galloped through her head, but she ignored it. She would get Sean’s attention, and then they could have a real conversation about this. He would apologize, she would forgive him, and they’d move on. She tapped send.
You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend in front of Sean before the game?
Emma stared at his message. Concise and to the point.
Yes
My cell is 416-622-1517. Send your address. I’ll pick you up at seven
ChapterSix
Emma dippeda small brush into a mixture of glycerin and water, then gently dabbed it onto the ice cubes in the glass. The faux condensation glistened under the studio lights, making the ice look as though it had just been pulled from the freezer. She glanced over at Lindsey, who was adjusting the camera settings, and Vaughn, meticulously arranging the backdrop that mimicked kitchen tile.
"Ugh, I can't believe our HOA is trying to force me to repaint my house," Vaughn grumbled as he fiddled with a prop. "Since when is grey outdated?"
“Because HOAs suck,” Lindsey answered in a sing-song voice. “Okay, I think that filter works better.” She took a few shots and scrutinized the camera display.
