The cold air kissed his face when he emerged from the locker room. The figure skaters were just finishing off their practice. When the Zamboni made it's run so the hockey team could start their warm ups for the day. Logan was hoping with the charity game coming up Coach would go easy on them, but he knew that wouldn't be the case. There's still a real season to play, and at the moment they have the best score in their division. Making his way to the bench he started to take his skate guards off just as Nixie did some sort of move where she spun around in the air. A Lutz? Yeah that sounded right. At least he thinks it does. It was one of the few days their skate time overlaps, which, in his opinion are the best days. Believe it or not he does enjoy watching his sister fly across the ice. And it's nice having someone who understands what he's talking about.
There are times where he feels like the black sheep of the family. Tyler has the whole country's eyes on him being the first born son of Albert Dasilva by only four minutes. Nixie's a triple threat now. Not only is she the youngest and only daughter, but also won freaking silver in some high level competition. There's no denying that she's a favor for the Olympics when she's old enough. Then there's him. He has the best status, college and even the draft have been talking in his ear. He knows his parents are proud, his father did everything he could when he declared he wanted to play hockey, so why does he feel this way when he shouldn't? All the kids know how their parents grew up, living in a foster home, their own families a mess so they found refuge in each other and became a family of their own. They've all heard the stories, the good the bad and the chaotic.
"Hey," Nixie said out of breath as she skated up to the boards.
"Hey yourself," Logan replied. "You're looking a little sloppy out there for someone who placed silver."
"Shut up! That was the best run I've done since coming back," Nixie protested.
"Say what you want Nix, but my game requires more mental strategy," Logan said as he stood up.
"Ha! As if!" Nixie scoffed with crossed arms. "Silver medal."
"World juniors."
Rolling her eyes Nixie simply flicked her ponytail over her shoulder and proceeded to step off the ice. As she stepped past him she patted him on the shoulder and said, "Whatever helps you sleep at night sweetie." sitting on the bench she started to clean the shaved ice off her skates before beginning the process of taking them off. Just as this was happening she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. At first it was a blur of a black helmet and navy blue, but by the way the hairs of her neck stood up she had a feeling of who it was.
"Dasilva," a somewhat deep voice greeted. "Mini Dasilva," he said to her.
"Hey Hunter," Nixie replied, pretending she was too busy snapping the skate guards on to make eye contact. Because if she did her face would turn red hot and it would be hard to restrain her smile. Not only did they have history and English together, but Hunter Lewis also became Logan's little shadow. As a fellow d-man it makes sense he'd want tips from an upper class man. Though the two boys aren't on the same line, tips are tips after all. And he's become a good friend of her brother. "Forbidden fruit." Nixie reminded herself. "But not as forbidden as Tins is to Logan so."
"Ready to kick some Bobcat butt?" Logan asked.
"Hell yeah I am!" Hunter replied enthusiastically. Sometimes he's like a golden retriever with the way he acts with the more senior teammates. Excited, wide eyed, and ready to have your back. Too bad there's no fighting in high school hockey, Nixie wouldn't mind seeing the gloves come off. Specifically from Hunter. When those brown eyes zero in on someone it makes Nixie a little nervous, but in a good way.
She's heard from uncle Mush countless times the first thing he fell in love with was auntie Feisty's eyes. He describes them as fiery. In a way, Nixie gets it, she sees it in Hunter when he's out for blood on the ice. "You two do realize it's a charity game, it doesn't count for any of your status and such."
"Yeah but people are still watching us. Just like how the whole world will be watching, little miss medal." He winked.
Logan groaned. "Stop flirting with my sister, let's run a couple of drills before the rest of the team gets here."
Hunter innocently shrugged before sending a not so discreet wink to Nixie. He caught a quick flash of pink just beginning to spread on her cheeks before she turned her head towards her duffle bag. He was just teasing of course, plus it was fun watching Logan go into brother mode. But that's a fine line he wouldn't dare cross. Like when going into the opponent's zone before the puck. Ok fine sometimes there's a few slip ups but in this case he knows Nixie Dasilva is off limits no matter how pretty she may be. What? He's a guy, he can appreciate a girl's looks even if she's his friend's baby sister.
The Zamboni just finished doing its sweep of the ice after the figure skaters butchered it. Neither of the boys cared what anyone says about hockey players, it's the figure skaters that really do the damage out there with their twirls, leaving little pockets where someone could easily trip and fall.
"You heading home or are you gonna hang around?" Logan asked as Hunter skated off.
"I'll hang around for a bit," Nixie replied while pulling her sneaker on. "I've got some homework I need to finish up."
"Sounds good." Logan nodded as he stepped on the ice and started to skate backwards. "Just let me know before you leave. Dad will kill me otherwise."
"I can take care of myself!" Nixie protested. Or at least tried to because her voice was drowned out by the sound of a puck slapping against the wall. Shaking her head, knowing it was pointless to argue any further she finished getting her shoes on, and once her skates were safely tucked away she zipped up her duffle before pulling her backpack from underneath the bleacher. Digging around she pulled out her history textbook.
Just as she did this the rest of the team came out one by one. They greeted her in "heys" "mini Dasilva" and "Nix". Those who were brave enough to risk Logan's death glare had called her "sweetheart" or "gorgeous". Nixie didn't mind of course, she was used to these nicknames from not only the helmet heads but also the baseball team. It seemed like an unspoken agreement to see who can annoy the brothers more. That answer was obvious enough, Hunter. But that was because she spent the most time with him sharing the same classes and all. He's a flirt and she's knows it, so how come it's getting harder to ignore.
"I was gone for two minutes, why do you look like you were murdered?"
"Because I was," Logan groaned. He laid at an odd angle on the beanbag, his legs were spread out, arms positioned weirdly while his sneakers and used socks sat beside his duffle and backpack. He had put on a new pair because girls don't appreciate male stink. That and he didn't want to go home smelling like cheep body spray and give his family more reason to tease. All he wants to do is pass chemistry. The science kind, not the physical kind no matter how pretty the blue eyed blood standing just a few feet away from him is. "Why do you have to study when I'm on the brink od death, Tins. Do you want me dead?"
"Because your practice days are the only ones when we both have some free time," Tinsley replies as she settles on the neighboring bean bag.
"Right, because shaking those pom-poms and getting tossed in the air is hard." every muscle in his body was screaming. Parts he didn't know he had were so sore it hurt just to lie down. Bag skating is his mortal enemy. In the words of his wise coach, "none of you are done until your limbs fall off". Why did he choose to play hockey again? Oh yeah, it's because he hates himself.
"Because I know you get cranky when tired I'm going to ignore that. Just this once."
"Do you think I can get Ty to sub in for me,"
"No." that was it. Short and simple. Groaning to himself Logan got the strength to sit up and went over whatever study plan Tinsley set out. The words blurred together. Getting smashed around can do that to a guy. Well, at least he didn't decide to be a goalie. Strange breed they are.
"Ok so last time we left off-"
That was the last thing he heard. Tinsley has that effect on people. Effect on him. Her voice is sweet like honey. She's got the brightest pair of blue eyes he's ever seen with perfect blonde hair to match. Her cheeks are a little rosy and her lips are a perfect pink. Even her nails are shaped neatly with lavender polish to match. She's one, if not the most popular girls in school. But she's also pretty and so nice that you can't hate her. When she's not spending time with the cheer squad she's helping out at the animal shelter or doing something with the big sibling little sibling program. It's when the high school pairs someone from the elementary class. Nixie looks up to her like a sister, maybe more so than their cousin, Riley Meyers.
As boring as the subject was, he could listen to her talk. Just the sound of her voice does something to him. What that is Logan isn't sure. All he really knows is that he likes being around her. She's been in his life for as long as he can remember. Their apart of a band of unofficial cousins with their parents being tight knit and all. But even more so with their dads. The stories they've heard of the nightmare twins, as Auntie Feisty so lovingly dubbed them, are some of the most bizarre and mind blowing things he's ever heard. How his dad and Uncle Race are still alive is beyond him. There's this one tale about how they signed Auntie Feisty up for a beauty pageant and she swore her revenge. All these years later she still hasn't and Logan has a feelling of what her plan was all along. Though Auntie Feisty is tight lipped like that, and a little scary.
"Logan! Did you hear anything I said?"
"Yes."
"You're a terrible liar." she smacked his arm. Although it didn't phase him one bit. Plus, she's cute when she's mad. "Here's an idea, we watch a movie and study later."
"Not all of us have a chance at a scholarship Mr. one way hockey.."
Logan just shrugged. He didn't have to be an A plus student, just enough to pass. The same would be with college. That is if he chose to go. His dad was always saying it was a good idea to have a backup plan on the off chance something happens and he can't play anymore. That's why he went, got his degree in whatever and went pro. Ended up becoming a legend and now he's coaching a bunch of bright eyed college dudes. Tyler's future is all set. He's lucky like that. Doesn't have to plan much, he's a mini version of Albert Dasilva. Nixie's lucky in a different way, being the youngest and the only girl she has a promising future ahead in the world of figure skaters. She'll probably become a coach once her time is up. And then there's him. He loves baseball too, but not the same way dad and Tyler do. He doesn't get the same rush of adrenaline when running bases.
"What're you thinking about?" Tinsely's gentle voice asks.
"Nothing," Logan sighs as he gets up to grab one of the water bottles that's sitting on the dresser. He opens it with ease before taking a big gulp before taking some popcorn from the bowl. It's still warm from the microwave. "Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?" Tinsley asks as she stands up. "Because the way I see it, you're doing that thing where you compare yourself to Ty and Nixie. Mostly Ty." she walks up to him, only leaving less than a foot between them. "You always say how Tyler's the lucky one, but it's actually you. You don't have any pressure to live up to your dad, to be just as great or better. You're Logan Dasilva, that's all that matters."
"So, you have me all figured out Tins."
"Enough to know how you work, but not enough at the same time."
"Why do you have to go and do that."
"Do what?"
"Read me like I'm some sort of magazine."
"Because I like reading you. You're a mystery just waiting to be solved. It's not like I see the way you are with Nixie, how you tease and call her a brat, but at a moments notice, you're there for her. Or how you run drills with Ty at the field. You give piggy back rides to Ethan and help - with his homework. You spend so much time at the arena helping Hunter and you love helping at your mom's bookstore. Don't you deny it. It's not like I know you secretly love the silence and sometimes skim through the books." it was on the tip of her tongue. The words "I like you" were on the verge of slipping out. It's no secret she has feelings for him. There's no denying he's attractive, too cocky for his own good, but she does see his softer side. Maybe he doesn't realize it's there, he just does it.
"Tins." his voice was deep whisper. Rough that made her skin tingle. "I'm not prince charming."
"But you could be," she whispered back. Then there was this. These secret little moments between them that make her believe that they could be real. Whether he feels it too it's hard to tell. That's the one thing she an give him credit for. How good he is at hiding his emotions.
Logan took a step forward.
Tinsely took one back. Then another until her back hit the wall and his arms rested on either side of her head. His eyes seemed to stare right into her soul.
"I'm not the good guy Tins. I could break your heart without even trying."
"Some risks are worth taking, aren't day?" her voice came out more breathy than she meant too. But the strong scent of his cologne mixed with the heat of his body made her feel dizzy. Tinsely didn't know how her hands were now resting on his stomach. The hard ridges of his muscles made her want to trace every inch until she had it memorized. She also didn't know why he was leaning in or why her eyes were starting to close. But she wanted to see where this went, even if it was just for one perfect moment. Her heart would surely be torn out when reality came crashing down, but just his one she-
"Hey Tins, settle somethin', your mom wants Italian but I'm cravin' Thai and - DASILVA!"
In a split of a second, without even thinking Logan made a beeline for the fire escape.
Quickly running through the door in pure panic Logan skidded to a stop to thankfully see Tyler was home..and he was currently having a stare down with their mother's deranged cat. Wonderful. But his girlfriend, Bridget was here. Perfect! "Hey Ty! Remember that time I pretended to be you for that really important test that you forgot to study for and l, for some reason I got all the math genetics. Well it's time to pay up." in a blur he dove onto the couch and slung his arm around Bridget. Who looked at him like he had grown two heads. Technically speaking it's not the first time she was apart of one of Logan's schemes in pretending to be Tyler but it still brought so many questions.
"What did you-" Tyler couldn't finish because Uncle Race came barreling in. Armed with a nerf gun for whatever the reason.
"You!" Race pointed at the idiot twin. "How dare you put the moves on my daughter.
"Yeah, I did what," Tyler sent a quick glance to his other half that's clearly an idiot.
"Wow, Logan, you sure are an idiot," Logan replied. "I mean really, I didn't think you actually had it in you. Right Bri?"
"Don't bring me into this," Bridget said through gritted teeth. It was one thing for them to switch places, it was another when she was merely a pawn in one of their schemes. Never in her life would she ever pretend to be attracted to her boyfriend's other half. Yes, they have the same face. Voice and laugh are up for debate. But it goes so much deeper than that. Something neither of them will know. So yes, she has no problem in saying Tyler's the better looking of the two. Always has been. The thing is, he's more in tuned with his emotions. As in he's not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. Of course Logan isn't heartless. But he is a little clueless. Bridget could easily list all their differences and there still wouldn't be enough time in the world. So, with that thought in mind she shrugged off the clueless one's arm and whispered, "If that spicy child hiss as Logan, you're screwed."
"What's goin' on, why do I hear a chipmunk?" Albert asked as he walked into the living room. "Race put that thing away before Brooklyn sees. She already had a break down about some punk lookin' at the male model book covers all funny like. I told her it was a bad idea to have options, but no, that's where the sales are."
"Can we not book talk about your wife's strange love for dead trees right now and tell your son to keep it in his pants."
"Which one?" Albert asked.
"Which one do you think?" Race asked gesturing to Logan. "I saw this one puttin' the moves on Tinsely."
"You did what?" Albert yelled out. "Why would you put the moves on my best friend's daughter?!"
"I mean, technically speakin' didn't you put the moves on your friend's sister and thus bringing us in this situation in the first place," the fake Tyler replied.
"Why is everyone yelling?" Brooklyn asked with Nixie close behind her. She was busy helping her daughter with the finishing touches on the outfit she would wear for the charity game. But it's hard to rhinestone when there's yelling happening in the background. These boys should try their hand at attaching little gems to fabric and see how easy it is, as they like to claim. "Race, put that nerf gun away, I already had a long day at the store and I don't need to clean up broken glass."
"See Freckles, I would, but I have a score to settle with this one. I caught him sticking tongue in Tinsely's mouth," Race explained, pointing at Logan.
"You did what?" Albert asked in shock.
"Like father like son," Brooklyn mumbled with a head shake.
"Yeah Logan. Listen man I knew you were stupid but I didn't think you were this stupid.
"Oh sure, I'm the stupid one here."
"You are!"
It was at that moment Paprika gracefully jumped down from her perch in the cat tree. Walking as if she were a princess she took her sweet time making her way to Tyler. The real one that is. Took one look at the brunette boy. And then hissed while attempting to scratch because she could. Tyler, with lightening quick reflexes, jumped a few feet away. Glaring down at the devil with fur he said, "I will return you to the dumpster you crawled out of!"
That's when Nixie couldn't take it anymore. She started laughing so hard that she couldn't breathe. "Given away by a cat. And Uncle Race, if it wasn't clear enough by that loving display of affection you're talking to the wrong twin. That's Ty, Logan's on the couch pretending to be Ty," she said between laughs. As entertaining as this is, it's hard to take her uncle seriously with a nerf gun. And if it wasn't for that, it was Bridget's pained expression she was trying, and failing to hide. Poor girl, always being a pawn in her brothers' lunatic ways. She tried to warn her what she was getting into when she started getting involved with Tyler.
"Laugh while you can Nixie," Tyler began while good child Snickerdoodle weaved her way between his legs, asking to be picked up. Which he did. "Then maybe you can explain why you're wearin' Hunter's sweater."
Author's note
Is this how I thought this chapter would go? Nope. did I have some of these scenes planned way in advance, I absolutely did. Gotta love dad Race coming in hot ready to soak his nephew. Poor Tyler getting the heat for Logan's stupidity and a cat who despise him. The ending scene was such a fun and chaotic moment to write. As always I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading and I'll see you soon.