Read The Girl With Hearts (Midtown Brotherhood #1) for Free Online

doing here this early?” he asked Sam, trying to make an authentic attempt at conversation. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d spoken to Sam off the ice.
    “Coach wants me to work on my slap shot for the power play in case I need to fill in for Callen one night,” Sam explained. He set his bag down next to his locker, studying Henrik intently. “What are you doing here this early?”
    He sat up a little straighter, rubbing his hand down his face, considering his answer. Instead, he asked, “Do you think I’m selfish?”
    Sam’s eyes narrowed, caught off guard by the question. “Umm, no. I mean, you led the Eastern Conference in assists last year. You’re like the least selfish player I know.”
    He shook his head, letting Sam know he’d misunderstood his question. “I wasn’t talking about on the ice. I meant like here in the locker room. Am I selfish?”
    Sam didn’t answer.
    Bad sign.
    “You can be honest. I’m looking for a reality check, here.”
    Sam rubbed his hand through his shaggy, unkempt hair, a nervous habit. Henrik knew he didn’t want to insult his captain, but he obviously had something to say. “Hell, I don’t know. You’re usually out of the locker room right after the games, and you only hang out with Austin.”
    He felt his mouth go slack. “I hang out with more guys than Austin.”
    It wasn’t until he read Sam’s expression that he realized his tone was harsh. He sucked in a breath, calming his natural instinct to argue, and held his hands up in surrender. “I apologize. Please, continue.”
    “Don’t get me wrong,” Sam rushed, “you’re an amazing captain. When we’re on the ice, and especially at practice, you always give the best advice. I’ve already learned so much from just the things you yell at me in passing out there.”
    “But—”
    “But when we’re not on the ice—”
    “I’m a selfish asshole.”
    Sam winced.
    “It’s all right Sam. It’s the truth.”
    Sam looked apologetic. “You’re still a good captain.”
    As if that somehow made being a shitty person okay. It wasn’t okay. None of it was okay.
    He stood, stretching out his muscles. Sam continued to study him as he hung up his gear. “That the only thing bothering you?”
    He wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss it yet, or even if he should, but Leila’s words kept running through his mind. The more he considered it, her accusations were right on point. There was more to the world than his datebook, and as he looked over at Sam’s youthful, expectant face, he was instantly reminded of Drew. His heart sank a little at the thought of his brother, and everything he’d endured in silence, especially the past year, just because he was too self-involved to notice.
    It was time he started to give a little effort, he decided, and he would start with Sam. “How about I moan about it while I help you with that slap shot?”
    “Really?” Sam sounded utterly shocked by the offer, which only made Henrik feel worse.
    How the hell did an inconsiderate bastard like him manage to become captain?
    “Yes, really,” he sighed. “Get suited up, and I’ll meet you out on the ice.”
    Fifteen minutes later, he skated next to Sam as they made loops around the goal, and then figure eights down the middle of the ice to warm up. After his muscles started to burn, he slowed and motioned for Sam to come down toward the goal. He spent the next half hour giving Sam his undivided attention while he taught him the secret to a deadly slap shot. After a round of shots hitting directly on target, Sam turned to him, smiling triumphantly. “All right, now it’s your turn.”
    “You sure you want to listen to my troubles?”
    “Entertain me,” Sam instructed, skating away to retrieve the pucks he’d shot.
    He propped his chin on the top of his stick, considering where he would even begin. “Have I ever introduced you to my little brother?”
    As the words left his mouth, he realized he should already