Falling for my brother's biggest rival

Sienna's POV The heavy thud of the plane’s landing gear hitting the tarmac shook me out of my thoughts. I pulled my small rolling suitcase from the overhead compartment, taking a deep breath of the stale, recycled cabin air. Stepping down the stairs and onto the terminal gate, a wave of new resolve washed over me. Well, maybe not entirely new. I had been planning to pay my older brother, Dylan, a surprise visit for months. When I realized the semifinals of the National Collegiate Hockey Championship were happening in New York today—only a few hours from now—I grabbed the opportunity, booked a last-minute flight, and swore myself to secrecy. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face. Dylan and I had always been close. Despite the distance, he was still the person I could call at any hour when I needed someone to talk to. He'd probably yell at me for showing up without telling him first. But I'd take the yelling. At least I'd get to see him. Walking through the crowded

Sienna's POV Dylan's team won. A massive, deafening uproar from the home crowd jolted me out of the frozen trance I'd been stuck in for the last two periods. The final buzzer sounded. Everyone in the stands jumped to their feet, clapping and shouting as the players skated toward the center of the rink for the traditional post-game handshake. I barely noticed. My eyes instinctively tracked the players coming off the ice, searching desperately for my brother. I needed Dylan. I needed something familiar. Something that could pull my mind away from the fact that Luca Bennett had just looked directly at me. Through the glass. After four years. I still couldn't understand how one look could make four years feel like nothing. I'd spent so much time convincing myself that New York was just another city. That high school was something I'd left behind. That the person I'd been back then had nothing to do with the woman I'd become. And then Luca had looked at me. Ju

Sienna’s POVThe silver elevator doors couldn't close fast enough.The moment I stepped inside the empty elevator, I aggressively smashed the button for the 14th floor over and over again, my heart hammering a furious rhythm against my ribs.Just close, I muttered, staring at the opening. Please, just close.Right before the metal doors could seal shut, a large, tanned hand thrust directly between them.The safety sensor beeped sharply, and the heavy doors slid open again.My stomach dropped straight into my shoes.Luca stepped into the elevator.Of course.He didn't look at me, keeping his head fixed straight ahead as he turned around and pressed the button for the 12th floor. He stood on the completely opposite side of the enclosure, creating as much physical distance between us as possible.I stared at the silver doors.The silence inside the metal box was heavy and suffocating.Of all the people in this hotel, it had to be him.Luca Bennett.My brother's biggest rival.The same gu

“You lost! You didn't make it to the finals, Luca!” My father's voice hits me before I even make it fully into the living room. I stop near the doorway, still holding the strap of my duffel bag. I had barely stepped inside the house after leaving the hotel when he started. “I know,” I say. “You know?” He lets out a humorless laugh, pacing in front of the large windows overlooking the street. “You know what yesterday was supposed to be?” I drop my bag beside the couch. “A semifinal.” His jaw tightens. “It was an opportunity.” I don't answer. His business associate had been sitting in one of those box suites yesterday, watching the game because my father wanted him to see me play. Wanted him to see the son who was apparently supposed to take over everything he'd spent years building. Instead, he watched me lose. “I told him you were one of the best players in collegiate hockey,” Dad continues. “I told him you were disciplined. Focused. That you understood what it meant to

Sienna's POV “You came back to Westchester without telling us? I can't believe you, Sienna,” Chloe said, feigning annoyance. I laughed, shaking my head. “I didn't know I was supposed to inform you guys.” “You absolutely were,” Jade said, pointing at me. “Do you know how offended I am right now?” “Very offended, apparently.” “Extremely.” Maya laughed from across the table. “Leave her alone. At least she finally decided to show her face.” I smiled. Sitting there with them felt strangely familiar. It had been a while since the four of us had sat together like this, talking without worrying about classes, assignments, or everything else that came with university life. “So, how was your brother's game?” Maya asked. “It was fine. He made it to the finals,” I said, unable to hide my smile. Chloe immediately leaned forward. “Wait, so you actually went all the way to New York just to surprise him?” “Pretty much.” “And you didn't tell us?” “I wanted it to be a surpri