Chapter 152 Surprisingly getting along

Chapter 152 Surprisingly getting along
Emma's POV

“You need to calm down, Dylan,” I say quickly, stepping between them. “It's not what–”

“Wait.”

Arthur blinks twice, his attention finally settling properly on Dylan. His brows slowly pull together like a puzzle piece has just clicked into place.

“Dylan?” He squints for another second before his eyes suddenly widen. “Dylan Sterling?”

The anger doesn't leave Dylan's face. “…Yeah?”

“No way.” Arthur lets out a genuine laugh, the kind that catches everyone off guard. “God, I knew you looked familiar!”

Dylan frowns harder. “What?”

“You're Dylan Sterling.” Arthur shakes his head, looking between the two of us in complete disbelief. “Dawn's father is Dylan Sterling?” Then, to my utter confusion, he actually smiles. “That's actually so cool!”

The room becomes silent. Dylan just stares at him like the poor man has completely lost his mind.

“…The fuck are you on about?”

Arthur laughs again, completely unbothered. “I'm a fan.”

“…A fan?”

“Of hockey.”

For the first time since opening the door, Dylan's expression changes. One eyebrow lifts ever so slightly.

“You watch hockey?”

“I only started recently,” Arthur admits with a sheepish smile. “One of my colleagues dragged me into watching the playoffs last season.”

He points straight at Dylan. “And now I'm completely obsessed.”

I blink. “…What?”

Arthur glances at me, surprised by my reaction. “You didn't know?”

“I had no idea.”

“I've watched almost every one of his games this season.”

My mouth actually falls open. “You?”

“I know.” He laughs at himself. “I don't exactly look like the sports type.”

“No,” I mumble. “You really don't.”

Dylan is still watching him carefully, like he's waiting for the punchline.

Arthur notices immediately. “I swear I'm not making this up.” Then, without missing a beat, he starts rattling off statistics. “You scored twenty-eight goals this season, had thirty-six assists, and that overtime winner against Boston is still my favorite goal.”

Dylan blinks. “Seriously?”

Arthur nods excitedly. “You roofed the puck glove side with less than ten seconds left.”

The corner of Dylan's mouth finally twitches.

“Well...” He scratches the back of his neck, looking almost embarrassed. “That's actually pretty accurate.”

“I told you.”

“I honestly wasn't expecting that.”

Arthur shrugs with an easy smile. “Neither was I.”

Just like that, the tension in the room starts melting away.

“So...” Arthur asks, “how's the shoulder?”

Dylan instinctively rolls it before answering. “Much better.”

“I was worried after that hit.”

“Nah.” He waves a hand dismissively. “Looked worse than it felt.”

“I was there, actually.”

“Wait,” That catches Dylan's attention. “At the arena?”

Arthur nods. “I bought a ticket.”

“You've been to one of my games?”

“Two.”

I look from one of them to the other, completely lost. “What is happening?”

Neither of them even hears me. Arthur is already asking another question. “So you're playing next Friday?”

“Yeah.”

“I've already got my ticket.”

Dylan laughs. “You know what?”

“What?”

“I'll reserve you a better seat.”

Arthur's entire face lights up. “Seriously?”

“Of course.”

He grins like a kid on Christmas morning. “That would be amazing.”

Dylan chuckles before casually throwing an arm around Arthur's shoulders.

“Bloody hell.” He shakes his head with another laugh. “I had no idea you were this fun.”

Arthur laughs too. “I've been told I'm full of surprises.”

“Come on.” Dylan nudges him toward the living room like they've known each other for years. “I've got a bunch of behind-the-scenes stories the media will never hear.”

Arthur's eyes practically sparkle. “No way.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Then, halfway there, Dylan remembers something. He points at Dawn with a grin.

“But first…” His eyes flick to Arthur. “Drop my baby.”

“Oh, that's a non-issue.” Arthur immediately walks back over and carefully settles Dawn into my arms. “There you go, little princess.”

Dawn immediately reaches for his glasses.

Arthur laughs and gently leans away. “Nice try.”

Before I can say another word, the two of them are already halfway to the couch, chatting like old friends.

I stare after them. “Guys? Excuse me? I still exist.”

They don't even respond to me the entire time.

I let out the most offended gasp I can manage. “Guys!”

Not one of them even looks back.

“That is so unfair.”

Arthur is already asking about locker-room traditions. Dylan is halfway through answering. I look down at Dawn in disbelief.

“Apparently we're not interesting anymore.”

She blinks up at me with those big brown eyes.

I sigh dramatically. “Exactly.”

Shaking my head, I carry Dawn back to the bedroom and settle her carefully into her crib. She falls asleep almost immediately.

Lucky.

By the time I wander back into the living room a few minutes later, they're still talking. Animatedly.

Arthur bursts into laughter at something Dylan just says, and Dylan laughs right along with him.

I stop in the doorway for a second, watching them.

A smile slowly spreads across my face.

Who would've thought?

Five minutes ago, I was convinced Dylan was about to throw Arthur out of the apartment. Instead, they're acting like they've known each other for years.

Funny how life works.

I walk over without saying a word and deliberately squeeze myself onto the couch between them.

“That's enough hockey for one day.”

Both of them look at me. Then at each other. Then, to my annoyance, they both start laughing.

“Hey,” I protest, frowning at them.

Arthur lifts both hands innocently. “You interrupted the story.”

“I was rescuing you.”

He tilts his head. “From what?”

I point my thumb at Dylan. “From him.”

Dylan places a dramatic hand over his heart. “I've been attacked.”

“You'll survive.”

“I don't know.” He sighs so dramatically I almost roll my eyes. “This one really hurts.”

Arthur chuckles before looking between the two of us. The teasing smile on his face softens into something warmer.

“You've got a really good girl, Dylan.” He says, looking straight at Dylan. “Make sure you keep her.”

Heat rushes straight to my cheeks.

I glance at Dylan, already wondering how he'll respond, but before he gets the chance, the words slip out on their own.

“I think I'm the lucky one.” I say.

Dylan doesn't even hesitate.

His hand finds mine, our fingers fitting together so naturally it's almost frightening. Like they never forgot where they belonged.

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze before looking at me.

“No.” His voice is quiet. “I'm the lucky one.”

My heart completely gives up.

Arthur watches the silent conversation passing between us, and a knowing smile slowly spreads across his face.

“Well…” He pushes himself to his feet. “I think I'm interrupting something.”

Neither of us bothers denying it.

He laughs to himself before turning to me. “I only stopped by to check on you, Emma.”

“I appreciate it.”

“And...” His expression shifts, becoming more professional. “I've already scheduled a meeting with the board.”

Hope sparks inside me so quickly I almost forget to breathe. “You did?”

Arthur nods. “I'll send you the exact time as soon as they confirm it.”

“Oh my God.” Relief floods through me. “Thank you.”

“You don't have to thank me yet.”

“No.” I smile, shaking my head. “I really do. I owe you one.”

“Well…” Arthur pretends to think it over before glancing sideways at Dylan. “You can repay me with lifetime access to his hockey tickets.”

Dylan lets out an offended laugh. “Using me already?”

Arthur shrugs, looking entirely unapologetic. “Seems fair.”

“I've been exploited.”

I can't help laughing. “You'll survive.”

Dylan points at me dramatically. “Apparently that's today's theme.”

The three of us laugh together as we walk Arthur to the front door. Just before stepping into the hallway, he pauses and looks back at me.

“It was nice seeing you happy again, Emma.” The sincerity in his voice catches me completely off guard.

I smile softly. “Thank you.”

Then he turns to Dylan. “And I'll see you at the game?”

“You definitely will.”

Arthur gives us one last smile before heading down the hallway.

I close the door behind him and lock it.

The apartment falls quiet again for exactly three seconds until Dylan lets out the most exaggerated groan.

“Finally.”

I turn around to find him already walking toward me, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“I have you all to myself again.”

I laugh despite myself. “Oh?”

“Mhm.”

He stops right in front of me, close enough that I can smell his cologne again.

“So…”

I raise an eyebrow. “So?”

“I've been wanting to do this ever since the front door opened.”

Before I can ask what he means, his hands gently cup my face. His eyes search mine for the briefest moment, silently asking permission.

I smile.

Apparently that's all the answer he needs. He leans down, kissing me slowly and softly. Like he's savoring something he thought he'd lost forever.

When we finally pull apart, our foreheads stay resting together, neither of us in any hurry to move.

“You know,” I whisper, smiling up at him.

“What?”

“I still can't believe you and Arthur became best friends in under ten minutes.”

He laughs, the sound rumbling against my forehead. “I couldn't either.” Then he steals one more quick kiss before smiling against my lips. “But I definitely prefer having you back.”