I unclip from the board, holding it under my arm as we head to a bar that’s across the street from the village. Once we sit down, I rest my board against the wall behind us because I’m not leaving it outside to be stolen. I rode the best one I have tonight.

“You’re being a douche,” Brandon says first, his arm already up and ready for the waitress.

I lay my head in my hands. “I’m not winning first if I don’t fucking deserve it. I’m done with that shit.”

Dax laughs and Beckett slaps me on the back, leaning in closer. “I think he’s talking about Mia.”

A piece of popcorn hits my forehead and I pick up my head.

“You like her?” Brandon asks me point blank. “I mean, I got the feeling you did on the train, but then things get a little hard and you walk? Again?”

“Bonehead,” Dax chimes in.

“Says the asshole who blew his best chance for a good woman at the last Winter Classics,” Beckett says.

Dax mocks offense, looking around like I have to be talking about someone else.

Brandon and Beckett exchange a look and Beckett stands. “Let’s go, big mouth.” He plucks Dax up by the sleeve of his jacket. “This is between them.”

Dax’s gaze shifts between me, Brandon and Beckett. “I rarely get to razz Grady for being an asshole, come on.”

“Next time,” Beckett says and then turns to us. “We’ll be at the bar.”

“Thanks,” Brandon says.

I watch their backs until they each sit on stools, Dax still going on about something while Beckett rolls his eyes and orders their drinks.

“I thought you’d be done with running.” Brandon leans back, bringing the water to his lips.

I run my hand through my hair. What does he want from me?

“You were right, man, she deserves better than me.”

He laughs. “True. I’m her brother. To me, she deserves the perfect male, which you are definitely not. But, there’s a problem with that.”

“Yeah, what’s that?” I twist the cap to my bottle.

“She wants you, or at least she did. I’m not sure now and the longer you leave her with my mom the chances you can get her back grow slimmer.”

“She deserved to know the truth.”

He nods. “Okay, you told her your version, but you know what I told her? What I told them all? I told them that I was an adult. I made the decision on my own to try that trick knowing I might get hurt. It wasn’t your fault. Do you think this whole time I didn’t know you felt guilty? But, I was feeling sorry for myself and I might’ve hated you a little because you ended up getting everything I wanted.”

“I never meant to fall for her.” I sip my water. “I wanted to come visit, but I stole your future. I figured you hated me.”

He laughs, shrugging his shoulders. “I’m not going to lie and say it’s been an easy road. I was pissed seeing you at the Winter Classics, continuing on without a concern about me. It hurt.”

“I’m sorry.”

He nods. “I know. I accepted your unspoken apology the moment you hung yourself out to dry tonight. I figured your guilt must be pretty deep inside you to do that.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“You just destroyed your own life. You self-destructed.”

“Your family hates me with good reason.”

He waves me off. “I told them that regardless of what they heard, I made that choice and I threw just as many tricks that I didn’t think you could land your way that night. We were always too competitive with each other, but I like to think the industry and press did that to us. Always pinning us against one another at the competitions. The running tally of who won what. It was a bomb and that night, it all just blew up.”

“Brandon,” I sigh. “Still, if I hadn’t pushed you so hard or made it impossible for you to back down without losing face—”

“Jesus. Fucking stop.” His two hands land on the table. “You can’t change it. You can’t take back that night. You take back the last four years. You’ve apologized, I’ve accepted. Life is way too short for this shit. If you don’t promise to forget all of it, then I’m going to walk out those doors and not help you get my sister back.”

I smile, remembering how fierce Brandon was when he wanted something done.

“Maybe I need to let her be.”

“And make my life a living hell? Fuck you, dude.”

I laugh and Brandon waves his hand over to the guys to join us again.

“Hey, man, before they come.” I eye the two of them weaving through the crowd. “I am sorry, for everything.” I try to convey my sincerity with as much conviction as possible in the hopes that he’ll know I truly do hold it as my biggest regret.

“I know.”

Beckett and Dax sit down. “So, now you want us back? Jeez, don’t I feel small.”

“The rumors are correct then?” Brandon asks.

Dax glares up at him.

“Your dick size. Small?”

Dax takes the popcorn bowl and dumps it over Brandon’s head. “Fuck off, Salty.”

As Brandon gets all the popcorn out of his hair, I think he likes the fact he’s back to being with us, as annoying as Dax can be.

“What’s the plan?” Dax slams his hand on the table.

“He has to grovel,” Beckett says.

“Beg and plead for forgiveness,” Brandon adds his two cents and it feels good having him here.

“He has to prove he will not run again?” Dax asks, the question clear in his eyes. “No more of this ‘I don’t think I’m good enough for you. We’re just having fun.’ Jerk off or stop fisting your cock, man.”

All three of us stare at him like something intelligent just came out of his mouth.

He rolls his eyes. “You know, shit or get off the pot.”

“Oh,” we all say in unison.

“Clever, Soups.” Brandon nods at him.

“Thank you.” He swings his arm around Brandon’s shoulders. “Salty gets me...you assholes.” He shakes his head.

“Back to the problem at hand,” Beckett disregards Dax. “You better figure out, and pray to God she hasn’t found some accountant to marry.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t need any advice from you assholes, I got this one covered.”