Just One of the Boys (Chicago Falcons Book 1)

by Leah Rooper

“My own boyfriend can’t tell us apart when we’re on the ice!” “Oh yeah,” Xander says, rubbing his chin. “He grabbed my ass once. That was awkward.”

But now, I’m even more lost. I don’t even know who Al is. But the scary part is…in becoming Al, I think I’ve lost Alice too. I don’t know who I used to be. And I most certainly don’t know who I am.

“Y’know, you’re my best friend.” You’re my best friend. A sad smile crosses my face. That’ll do. I sniff, and a tear whispers down my cheek. And that thing—that elusive thing that was hanging in front of me—suddenly becomes clear. And all the possibilities, well, they all point to it. You’ve done it now, Bell. I’ve fallen in love.

Just as I’m about to head in, I spot the puck, still in the net. I bend over and pick it up. A memento, from the game where all our dreams came true.

Al is so much more than a teammate to me. She’s even more than a friend. I’m in love with her.

“Alice was willing to give up hockey for you.” I must give him a blank look because he sighs again. “Tremblay, she’s in love with you.”

Maybe I’m a sweatpants-wearing, whole-pizza-eating hockey player. And maybe I’m also a lipstick-wearing, sparkly dress-twirling figure skater. Maybe I’m both of these things mashed together; a work-in-progress, a half-played game. And maybe Alice and Al aren’t so different after all.

Xander raises a brow. “You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.”

“And you know what else, Alice? You’re my conscience, my sounding board, my competitor.” He tilts his head back and crinkles his eyes. “And I am desperately in love with you.”