All Chapters of My Ex's Brother Is the Hockey Alpha : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Cody's POV Run drills first.That’s how Coach always starts selection week. Skating. Shooting. Positioning. No shortcuts. No speeches. Just work.We’re already lined up on the ice when he blows the whistle.But Clinton isn’t here.And neither is Kack.I stare at the empty space where Clinton usually stands…front of the line, chin high, captain’s “C” stitched over his chest like he was born wearing it. The ice feels wrong without him.Jack’s spot beside me is empty too.I tighten my grip on my stick.As a defenseman, I’m supposed to stay steady. Hold the blue line. Keep the forwards safe. But my brother hasn’t slept a wink since last night. I heard him pacing. Heard the door open and close again and again. He’s been searching everywhere for Lilly.She’s missing.What if she’s dead?A chill runs down my spine so hard I almost shiver.The noise at the rink pulls me back. Skates scraping. Sticks tapping. Coach blows the whistle again.“Full laps. Three warm-up, then sprint.”We push off

Clinton's POV The car is too quiet. Catherine sits beside me, staring straight ahead. She hasn’t said a single word since we left the hotel. Not one. Not even a fake cough. Just pure, stubborn silence.I smirk and press my foot harder on the accelerator.If silence were a sport, she’d be winning gold right now.I steal a glance at her from the corner of my eye. Her arms are crossed tight over her chest, lips pressed together, jaw stiff. She looks mad. Or embarrassed. Or both. Probably both.And honestly? I love it.Because just minutes ago, inside my hotel room, she almost kissed me.Almost.I replay it in my head.She trips, like it’s accidental. Then she falls straight into my arms. She freezes instead of pulling away. Her eyes flick to my lips as if they have a mind of their own.Yeah. Miss “boundaries” wanted to kiss me.She’s the one always talking about fake-dating rules and contracts and no funny business. She’s the one who loves reminding me that this is all pretend. Yet her b

Clinton's POV My father’s face looks like it’s about to explode.Veins stand out on his neck as I walk toward him. Behind him, my mother looks like she’s about to cry. One hand is pressed to her chest, the other shaking slightly.And me?I live for this moment.This is the picture I’ve played in my head for years. Every insult. Every slap. Every cold look. Every night I went to bed wondering why I was born at all. This moment right here.I climb the raised platform calmly. Every step feels heavy, but also freeing, like I’m finally walking out of a cage I’ve been locked in all my life.My father glares at me. His eyes shoot laser beams.I don’t flinch.Take a good look, I tell him silently. This is the monster you created.My mother’s voice breaks the silence.“What are you doing?” she asks, panic dripping from every word.I walk straight to my father. I don’t rush. I reach for the microphone in his hand and gently but firmly take it from him. His fingers resist for a second, then let

Catherine's POV I didn’t go to school today. I didn’t even bother to try.I’m lying on my bed now, staring at the ceiling, filled with anger. My heart feels heavy, like someone stuffed it with rocks overnight. Every time I close my eyes, I see last night all over again.The dress.The makeup.The way Clinton looked at me like I was something precious.And then…“Go home.”No fight. No argument. No explanation. Just… go home.That’s all he said.I dress up like a princess. I stand beside him in front of rich people who look at me like I don’t belong. I hold his hand. I smile until my cheeks hurt.And he sends me away like I’m a package delivered to the wrong address.My chest tightens as I remember it. I sit up on the bed, breathing slowly, like that will stop my heart from breaking again.No explanation. No apology. No follow-up call. Nothing.Instead, the first call I get today is from the last person I expect.Natasha.I almost don’t pick up. Almost. But curiosity kills me faste

Natasha's POV I’m standing in the blazing sun with my cheerleading team, sweat dripping down my back, pom-poms clashing like plastic cymbals.I smack my hands together. “Alright, ladies! Today we’re going to slay! And by slay, I mean look perfect while not dying!”Lisa, my right-hand girl, gives me a thumbs-up while juggling two pom-poms in her hands. I roll my eyes, but she’s my little chaos generator, so I let it slide. Alicia, of course, is already bouncing around like a caffeinated squirrel.“Okay, Nat, I got this one!” Alicia calls, her grin way too confident for someone about to literally throw herself into the air.She tries hard. Too hard. I have to keep an eye on her.“On my count! Three… two… one…fly!” I shout.Alicia launches into the air, arms outstretched like a majestic bird. I spot her mid-flip, hands reaching for the spot where I’m supposed to catch her.And then my brain decides to take a vacation.Danny. Ugh. Why won’t he come back to school? My arms falter.“Nat, f