All Chapters of PUCK ME, STEPBROTHER: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

DistanceBryson's POVA few days pass after the kiss, and neither of us brings it up. The silence around it feels deliberate, like we both agreed without words to pretend it never happened.But the air between Julian and me has changed. It's heavier now,We exist in the same space but maintain careful distance. Polite conversations about practice schedules and grocery lists. Nothing beyond that, surface-level stuff.I throw myself into practice, spending extra hours on the ice even when my legs burn and my lungs scream for rest. Coach notices and comments approvingly, thinking I'm dedicated. The truth is I just need somewhere to channel all this restless frustration.I laugh with teammates, joke around in the locker room, and try to look completely unaffected.But it's pointless. The memory of that kiss keeps replaying at random moments. During drills, I'll remember the heat of Julian's mouth. In the shower, I'll think about the weight of his hands gripping my wrist. Late at night, ly

ArrangementBryson's POVA few days pass, and Julian still hasn't mentioned my offer. He hasn't brought it up at all, acting like the conversation never happened.I tell myself that's a good thing. The offer was impulsive, something I shouldn't have suggested in the first place. It'll only cause more confusion between us, blur the lines that should stay clear.But part of me keeps waiting. Watching for some sign that he's thinking about it, that he wants what I offered.Training is intense now, everyone is focused as we push toward the next stretch of games. Coach has us scheduled for three games every weekend, back-to-back matches that will test our stamina and teamwork. The pressure is mounting; scouts are watching, and regional selections are looming.But I can't shake the restless tension inside me that has nothing to do with hockey.It's exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.After one of our weekend games, the locker room is heavy with defeat. We lost by two points; our r

MorningJulian's POVBryson heads to shower first, and I can't help but watch him disappear into the bathroom. My heart pounds like it's trying to break out of my ribs,anticipation and nerves mixing together. The sound of running water fills the room, and my mind immediately goes places it shouldn't. Images of Bryson, naked under the spray, water running down his skin, steam filling the small space,I shake my head, forcing myself to focus on my phone instead. Scrolling through notifications I don't actually care about, anything to distract myself. When Bryson finally emerges, he's wearing a shirt and shorts. Disappointment runs through me before I can stop it, which is stupid. What was I expecting? For him to walk out naked?" Bathroom's free," he says,running a towel through his damp hair. " Thanks."I try to hide my reaction, keeping my expression neutral as Bryson climbs into bed. He settles on one side, leaving space between us that feels both too much and not enough. I st

SecretsBryson's POVBack home, campus life resumes its familiar rhythm. Classes, practices, exams. The routine should feel normal, grounding after the intensity of the away games.But the secret between Julian and me grows heavier with each passing day.We sneak around more often now. A kiss in the locker room when everyone else has cleared out. Quickies in Julian's car parked in dark corners of the lot. Late-night visits to each other's rooms that start with studying and end with us tangled up under sheets.I keep telling myself it's just part of our agreement. We're exploring physical attraction without emotional complications, as we agreed.But the way Julian looks at me afterward makes it impossible to believe that lie.I pretend not to notice because acknowledging it would mean dealing with feelings I'm not ready to faceOur teammates start commenting on our chemistry on the ice. The passes that connect perfectly without verbal communication, and how we anticipate each other's m

Caught red-handed.Julian's POVI feel like I'm living two lives.There's the one everyone sees: the responsible son, the decent student, the team captain. The guy who shows up on time, does what's expected, keeps his shit together.And then there's the other life. The one where I'm losing my mind over a guy I can't stop thinking about. Where every conversation feels loaded.The distance between those two versions of myself is killing me.After the disaster with Ashley and the awkward confrontation with Bryson, I try to stay busy. Avoid him in every way possible. I take longer routes to class so I won't run into him in the hallways. Eat meals at different times. Stay late at the gym when I know he'll be home.But the distance only makes me more restless. Every time our eyes meet across the rink or when we pass in the apartment, something twists inside me. Want mixed with guilt mixed with frustration at this whole fucked up situation.Bryson doesn't push. Doesn't corner me or demand ex