Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
I return the smile, proud of him and Jennings. No matter how much shit they got for being together because of the sport Louis plays, their love is strong. I would have fought for Louis, no matter what, but knowing how in love and how dedicated the two of them are to each other only pushed me to fight harder. It’s kind of crazy how much I love seeing my brother in love, but I don’t have the same thing. I don’t want it. I don’t have time for it, nor has anyone ever made me want to have what Jennings and Louis have.
I know what the student body thinks of me.
Hell, I know what my family thinks.
While I’m nowhere near as bad as I was my freshman year, I don’t have the best reputation. I don’t date, nor do I come back a second time. To some, it’s weird and only furthers my mom’s point about my commitment issues, but for me, I’m committed to hockey and football. My life has always been surrounded by ice and turf. I’m sure someone will come along who catches my eye and keeps it for longer than it takes for her to get me off, but I’m not holding my breath.
Or looking for her.
But when it comes to Louis and Jennings, I’m a supporter.
“He’s got this,” I say, because I know he does. Jennings is going places in the songwriting world. He learned from my aunt, and she’s written with some really big names.
Louis beams up at me, and I smile back. I’ve always been really close to Louis, but after he came out, I feel like we got closer. Like he exposed himself to me, and it’s my job to protect who he is. I love the dude, and by extension, I love Jennings. “I told him you said that.”
Just then, Odder pulls my attention. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
I bring in my brows, more than likely developing the same divot my dad has between his eyes. “No, I won’t give you Ash’s number. That’s for you to get.”
Odder snorts as Louis cackles. “No, not that,” he says, still chuckling. “I’ve got a plan to get her number, but that’s not what I wanted to ask.” I perk a brow at him. “I wanted to ask why you’re even entertaining football. You’ve always been a beast of a defenseman, and you have a hell of a shot. So why not choose what is right?”
Because what if it’s not right?
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly, unable to open up to him about this.
“I don’t get it,” Louis adds. “You know you’re better on ice. Fuck the championship, fuck football, do what you were born to do.” I hold my brother’s gaze. Unlike my hazel eyes, his have a rim of dark blue around them. They almost look teal, but it’s not the color that has me all in my feelings; it’s the confidence he has in me. The love. He looks up to me, and shit, am I letting him down?
“You should have gone into the draft five years ago.”
I swallow hard. “I don’t know, guys. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
“Driving me to an early grave.” I hear my dad before he slaps Louis’s shoulder. He leans over, shaking hands with Odder. “ChillPhill, how’re your parents? I haven’t seen your dad all summer, and I checked in at Audrey’s cupcake shop.”
Odder nods, grinning ear to ear. My dad has been calling him that since he was a kid. He has such a Zen-like state to him. I’ve never seen him get mad, on or off the ice. The only time he breaks sticks is when they get caught in something. He’s never broken one out of anger.
I have a bucket at home of my broken sticks. Hell, so does my dad.
And my mom.
“He has been traveling all over to scout for the Assassins.”
Dad nods. “I should have known. Audrey wasn’t there either. Only Penny.”
“Yeah, Penny is running the shop now that she’s done with volleyball. And Mom went with Dad.”
I really shouldn’t fault Phillipe for checking out my cousin. I have checked out his older sister for years. Penny is a looker. All legs and the prettiest hazel-blue eyes ever. I tried to holler at her this summer, but she wants a relationship, not a trade-off of orgasms, which is all I offer women.
“Good to have you home,” Dad says, leaning against the boards. “Maybe you can talk some sense into my son.”
We laugh at that, because all you can do is think the whole situation is a joke. I feel like a joke. I know this is weighing on my dad, and really, Odder is right. I am a damn good defenseman, and I enjoy being on the ice.