by Toni Aleo
Problem is, she is weirdly hesitant, and I will find out why. Ease her concerns. Kiss her and enjoy the shit out of her.
Yup, that’s my plan, and I like that plan.
A. Lot.
“So that was that Sofia girl who scored all tens at the meet, right?”
I lean back toward Moon, though my gaze is where Baylor is ripping into Carter and Meeks. “She got one ten and the rest high nines.”
“Yeah, whatever. Heard she’s a fucking beast. Also heard she’s hot as fuck. Her reputation definitely precedes her.”
“Oh, it does.” I look over to him, a little tilt to my lips. “She’s more than just a beast and total hotness. There is a lot more.”
I’m answered with his soft chuckle. “So, you getting on that?”
I don’t show weakness. Ever. With my family, sure. But my competition, my friends, they don’t ever know I’m not where I want to be. So there’s no way in hell I’m telling Moon I got turned down. “I am.”
“Which means I should tell everyone she’s off-limits.”
The Bullies have an understanding. If a guy calls a girl, we respect him and stay away. I am calling Sofia. If they don’t like it, they know where I am. If Sofia doesn’t like it, she can come tell me too. I’ll enjoy that exchange, for sure. “If they want to continue being cool with me, yeah.”
“And your sister is still off-limits, right?”
When my blood pressure kicks up, I press my lips together before taking in a deep breath. “Who’s asking?”
“Willy. He has a class with her and was talking about how hot she is.”
My gaze falls to where Willy is standing, talking with the other guys, and an irrational anger fills me from the inside out. We’re supposed to be cool. I’m pretty sure everyone knows Amelia is off-limits. “What did you say?”
Moon laughs. “Told him if he wants to die, go for her, but I wouldn’t. We all know I think she’s hot. She’s also feeling me, by the way. She follows me on Snap. Though, she hasn’t snapped me or me her.”
I give him a serious look since I really don’t like him calling my sister hot or that he follows her. She snaps a lot of pictures of herself in a leo, those duck-lip faces, and of course, low-cut shirts. I didn’t realize how pissed I’d get if someone wanted to date her. I didn’t mind her last boyfriend, Drew, mainly because he was weak, and I knew she wouldn’t stay with him. Moon, though, he could break my sister. She’d fall for him; I know she would. Willy, too. Hell, all these assholes. She has a weird thing for hockey players. And ever since Shelli said that thing about Amelia wanting to get laid, it’s been fucking with me. “What did he say?”
“He said she can make her own decisions.”
“Oh, did he?”
Moon looks worried. “I really don’t think you should kill him. Baylor is chewing him out already.”
I ignore him, though. My furious gaze falls on Willy as he skates to our line. He looks annoyed, but I don’t care. “Hey, Will.”
He looks to me, his brows drawn in and his face visibly upset. “What?”
“Amelia Justice, the girl in your…” I look to Moon to supply the class.
“Lit 1,” he says out of the side of the mouth, and when I look to Willy, he knows it’s coming.
“Lit 1,” I repeat. “I don’t know if you have forgotten, but she is my baby sister and not an option for you.”
He wants to argue, I can see it in his eyes, but mine dare him to. Everyone on the team knows how family-oriented I am. They’ve been to my house, they’ve had dinner with my mom, and they’ve been to parties with my whole family. Just because Amelia is older now doesn’t mean she is here for their delight.
Maybe if I scare them enough now, when I’m gone, she’ll be okay.
Thankfully, Willy nods. “Yeah, fine.”
“Good talk.”
“She’s not the hottest one on the team anyway,” I hear him mutter, and within seconds, my blood is boiling.
“Excuse me?”
Everyone falls silent around us. “I just thought she was hot, but there are plenty of other girls on the team.”
I sniff in loudly, like a bull, nodding. “As long as it’s not my sister, we’re good.”
“Or Sofia,” Moon adds, and two of the guys look over at me.
Meeks glances back to me. “You hitting that?
“I’m not.”
“Then she’s up for grabs,” Willy says, but I shake my head.
“No, she isn’t.”
“One of your cousins?”
“No, but she is off-limits.”
When the whistle blows, we all look to Baylor as she skates over to us. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I interrupting your girl-talk time?”
We all look at her blank-faced. While she can be really hard and tough, she is pretty stunning. She has wild hair that is tamed up in a bun, and even at this early hour, she has bright-red lipstick on those lips. I thought Coach had told her no skating since she’s pregnant, but apparently, she doesn’t listen to anyone. Though, I’m pretty sure if her hotshot, captain of the Assassins, and Bellevue alumnus husband, Jayden Sinclair, found out she was skating around with her little belly bumping, he’d have a lot to say.
Though I don’t think Baylor would care.
She’s a tough one, and I admire her for it.
“Suicides, then?”
Everyone groans, even me, but when she blows the whistle, we’re off, charging like hell to the other side of the rink.
What seems like hours is only ten minutes.
When we’re done, some of the guys crawl off the ice. They’re the ones who haven’t been keeping up their cardio. Me, I stand in the middle, my arms above my head as I pull in deep breaths.
I think I’m dying, and I still have a full day of classes.
Ugh, and I have that meeting with the Assassins’ therapy team.
Fuuuck.
“Justice, come here.”
At the sound of Baylor’s voice, my eyes shoot open. She’s leaning on the boards, looking down at a clipboard.
Double fuuuck.
Skating toward her, I try to calm my breathing, but I think she may have killed us in those ten short minutes. Leaning against the boards next to her, I try not to look like I’m dying as I say, “Yeah, Coach?”
She doesn’t look up at me. “Did Coach talk to you about Ackerman?”
Ackerman? Why would Coach talk to me about our captain? “No, ma’am.”
“Okay, well, he probably will tomorrow after practice. But I wanted to give you a heads-up. He’s out.”
Somehow my breath is back, and my jaw goes slack. “Out?”
“His piss came back hot, and I’m telling you this in confidence. Though, we all know it will get out once he loses his scholarship and everything.”
Oh shit. “Yeah, no, wow. I didn’t realize.”
“Yeah, none of us did.” She looks pissed, which explains why she was so hard on us this morning. Ackerman is an awesome player, our highest goal scorer, and a wonderful captain. I want to ask what he came up hot with, but then I don’t. It’s none of my business, but man, that sucks for him. He was being looked at by the Rangers. “So since you’re alternate captain, I’m pushing for you to be captain.”
“Me?” I ask, surprised. I thought Moon would go before me.
“Yeah, I think it will look good on paper and will be a good push for you for the draft.”
I think I just fell in love with Baylor Moore-Sinclair. “Wow, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Coach wants Moon since he is an obvious leader. But I stressed that you are a quiet force like your uncle. So do me a solid and show Coach the position is yours.”
I nod eagerly. “Of course.”
“Also, I know Coach ripped into you about the last game.”
I look away, embarrassed, even though she isn’t looking at me. “He’s just being hard on you. The pass was solid from where I was sitting. It was quick, efficient, and Moon had it on and off hi
s stick in seconds. Like we want. My problem is that as soon as he ripped into you, you shut down. I could see it on your face. You were too busy trying to figure out how you fucked up and worried that you had been bitched at, instead of going out there and making a play. Don’t let that fucking happen again.” When she looks at me, I swallow past the lump in my throat. “You are a good player. Strong and smart. We are cleaning you up to get you where you want. Stop resisting us and letting your mind get in the way, or I’ll stop trying to help. If I stop, Coach will stop, and then you’ll go nowhere. You hear me?”
I realize the lump in my throat is my heart, and it’s pounding like mad. “Yes, ma’am.”
She nods curtly before tapping my arm. “Good practice.”
“Thanks,” I say as an exhale. “Thank you again.”
“Of course. Now hit the showers.”
I start for the locker room as everything Baylor has said plays over and over again. This is what I want. I’ve wanted the captain position for a long time, but Coach always went for someone who was louder and more out there. Someone more confident. And dwelling on a damn pass isn’t confident. I have to apply that to my game, to my life. Because one thing is for sure, I’ll never get a self-assured chick like Sofia Castilleja if I don’t believe in myself—and show it to the world.
That has my lips curving into a huge grin.
Not the fact that I may get captain or go into the NHL.
No, it’s getting Sofia into my arms and that pouty mouth on mine.
Chapter Thirteen
Ryan
Standing outside the Starbucks on campus where my sister is, I hold the phone to my face as my mom asks, “How’d the meeting go with Assassins’ trainers?”
“Great,” I say as I gaze into the window of the coffee shop. Like Moon had told me, Amelia is there with Sofia. They look comfortable, books all on the table as they look at Amelia’s laptop. I try to look away, but it’s hard. Unlike this morning, Sofia is dressed in a pair of black athletic pants that hug her sexy, curvy legs, along with a teal Bellevue sweatshirt that swallows her up whole.
Exactly the way I want to.
Her hair is up in a messy bun, and I’m curious how she looks with her hair down. Does she have ringlets like Shelli used to when she was younger, or is her hair wavy? I desperately want to know. I also want to run my fingers through her hair, get them caught. But first, I gotta get her to go out with me.
“More details, please.”
Shit. “Sorry, Mom, distracted.” I force myself to look away. “It went awesome. I was able to schedule my time with them after my short classes during the week. And I get to be in the player hall during three games a month, my choice which games since my schedule is so full.”
“Well, that’s wonderful!”
“It is. DJ is super cool. I thought he might be a dick since Elli is kinda forcing them to let me do this—”
“She is not,” Mom insists. “Shea asked.”
“Oh, so it’s a favor.”
“Maybe, but no one is forcing them.”
Fine. “Okay, either way, I’m excited.”
“You should be. That’s just wonderful, honey.”
“I thought so,” I say, turning to look back in the Starbucks. For some reason, I’m worried the girls will pick up and leave. I can’t have that happen, not until after I speak to them. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“Just asking.”
“Everything is fine,” she says simply, and I hope she isn’t lying. My dad’s anniversary is in a few days. We usually don’t talk about it much. “How’s Amelia doing? She tells me she’s fine, but that girl worries me to death.”
“Well, she’s quite popular with the guys,” I say dryly, and she laughs.
“Of course she is. She’s beautiful.”
“Which is going to put me in jail.”
She laughs. “Let her have some fun.”
“Eh, I don’t trust anyone with her.”
“Honey, you can’t do that. It’s going to put a strain on you guys’ relationship. Let her have fun. She has never stood in the way of you having fun.”
If only Mom could see my face. “Actually, she has, and I might kill her for it.”
“Please don’t. I do love her so.” I can hear the grin in her voice. “But what did she do?”
“She had a chance to talk me up to a friend of hers, and she didn’t do it. Then she went and told the girl that I don’t do relationships.”
Mom pauses. “But you don’t, do you?”
“No, because I haven’t had a chance to, but that’s beside the point.”
“Haven’t had a chance to? I’m pretty sure Robin would beg to differ, as would that one girl, um… Shoot, what was her name? Silva! She was head over heels in love with you. At my house daily, hanging out with me to get to you.”
“Sure,” I say. “But I didn’t feel the same.”
“But you felt enough of something to go to bed with them.”
I shrug. “Well, duh.”
Her laughter fills the phone. “Lord. You remind me so much of myself, it’s pathetic. Your dad was in love with me the moment he met me. Meanwhile, I was just wanting to have some fun.”
Gag. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Anytime, and I have so many more stories that I’ll keep to myself if you don’t kill your sister.”
I think that over. “Fine.”
“And leave her be.”
“No.”
“Ryan.”
“What?”
“Let her have her fun. She’s worked so hard for years, and she’s getting over Drew. Give her some space.”
She’s right, but still. “My teammates know she’s off-limits.”
Mom groans. “Well, that’s unfair. You know she has a thing for hockey players.”
“Exactly. She’ll have to find someone else. Hopefully, an English lit nerd who won’t force her to go to bed with him.”
Mom giggles. “You’re horrible. And, please, no one forces that girl to do anything.”
She isn’t wrong. “I love her, and it’s my job to protect her.”
“Ryan James, she is a strong girl.”
I bite my lip. As right as my mom is, I don’t want to accept that. Plus, I’m pretty sure my dad would be on my side. I know Shea would be, but I don’t want to argue with her. “Fine.”
“Good,” she says on a sigh. “Oh, do you have anything going on Wednesday night?”
“No.”
“Can you come help lift a massive swan at this event I have? Maybe bring some of the guys? I’ll buy pizzas and ice cream.”
“We love food.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Yeah, of course,” I answer, and I’m met with a delighted squeal.
“Good, Amelia and her friend, Sofia, are working for me that night, so give them a ride in, will you?”
I pause. “Why are they working?”
“Money, of course,” she answers as if it’s obvious, and I guess it is. But I’m jealous my mom will get to hang with Sofia.
Looking back into the coffee shop, I feel my heart knock in my chest as I drink in Sofia while she writes vigorously on her notepad. I so desperately want to know everything about her, it takes my breath away. Or she takes it. Either way, I find myself gasping. Trying to sound the least bit interested, I say, “Oh, true.”
“Have you asked her out yet?”
I choke on my own spit. Coughing, I say, “Huh?”
“Sofia. Have you asked her out?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Ryan, I saw how you were looking at her. You’re smitten. It’s sweet.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “No. Amelia told you.”
“That too,” she says, and I groan. “I don’t think for one second Sofia isn’t interested in you. You’re adorable.”
Great, am I that pathetic that my mom has to tell me I’m adorable? “Well, thanks, Mom,” I say, thinking o
f the many ways I can torture my sister. Using her phone as a puck is a clear winner so far. “I don’t know.”
“So we aren’t going to talk about this?”
“Nope.”
“Fine, be like that. I’ll wait for an update from Amelia.”
I groan. “I don’t like you two right now.”
“Aw, but we love you.”
I shake my head. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, love you.”
“Bye, honey,” she says cheerfully.
Hanging up, I tuck my phone into my pocket before running my hands down the front of my jeans. I bring my ball cap down a bit, just enough to avoid pushing my glasses down. I inhale hard and try to get my heart in check. It doesn’t work, though. I’m starting to accept that this is how it is when I think about or get around Sofia.
Heading inside, I go straight for where Amelia and Sofia are sitting at a round table in the corner. Amelia is wearing a little dress that, in my opinion, is too short. But I’m not looking at her. I’m completely taken by Sofia, as is the whole room. Guys keep glancing over to where Amelia is laughing as Sofia runs her fingers down her face. I don’t know if it’s my sister or Sofia who is drawing the guys’ attention, but for me, it’s the latter.
She’s stunning.
Amelia sees me first, and she makes a face. “Ew, what are you doing here?”
“It’s the only coffee shop on campus now that Get Coffee closed,” I say, pulling out a chair and sitting down. “Plus, I have a bone to pick with you.”
“A bone to pick with me?” she asks, her brows furrowing. I’m trying my hardest to glare at her and not drool all over Sofia. It’s a tough task, for sure. “I have one to pick with you!”
“Bring it.”
“Should I leave?” Sofia asks, but Amelia’s hand comes down on hers.
“You’re fine,” she asserts before setting me with an aggravated look. “How dare you tell Willy I’m off-limits?”
“You are,” I say simply, leaning on my hands, but I don’t miss the grin that pulls at Sofia’s lips. Being this close, man, I want to touch her. She has a dusting of freckles along her nose and cheeks that I want to trace with my fingers.
Or my tongue.
But my sister, ever so dramatic, lets out a whoosh of breath before throwing her hands up. “I am not! I am a free agent!”