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Olive

M y adviser’s office never used to seem so daunting whenever I’d come here for class scheduling or check-ins.

The middle-aged man who I was assigned to for the last four years has always been nothing but laid back and supportive in whatever I’ve wanted to do.

Like when I switched my minors three different times before eventually dropping it.

“I’m surprised The Narnia wasn’t interested,” Professor Merritt says with a frown, looking over the applications I sent in.

He leans back in his chair, swiping at his stubbled jaw.

“Someone with your grades and article portfolio should have captured their attention. But times are tough right now. I suppose people are downsizing.”

The way he talked up The Narina made me think I was guaranteed to gain some interest from them.

Especially since he worked there before coming to Lindon to teach in the comms department.

He’d written me a glowing recommendation which gave me an advantage.

It was the last internship on our list that I planned on applying to.

“It’s always tough finding something right away,” he tells me in encouragement. “We won’t give up.”

I grab my backpack and pull out the copy of my application to the Penguin’s PR team. “There is one more that I applied to that wasn’t on the list we created.”

Hesitantly, I pass it to him.

He scans the page with raised eyebrows in surprise. “It’s a good fit,” he surmises casually. “You mentioned not wanting to touch hockey as a potential path.”

Professor Merritt started right before Sebastian graduated.

He never had him in any classes, but he knew who my brother was.

Anyone who works here has heard about him being drafted.

It’s like that for any athlete who goes pro.

Not that long ago it was Aiden Griffith from the football team who was making local headlines when the Giants took him on as their new tight end. Another reason to love New York’s team.

“I didn’t want anybody to intervene,” I explain, although he already knows this. “It’d be too easy if I asked my brother for his help. Then it would feel like a handout.”

He lifts the paper I gave him. “This isn’t for the Rangers.”

A small smile curls my lips. “No, it isn’t.”

He laughs lightly to himself. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with utilizing connections. It’s no different than me trying to get you into The Narnia .”

Except I’m not sleeping with him, so it’s less for people to talk about if they did want to work with me. “That’s a little different, professor. And I’m sure you know that.”

Who doesn’t? Since classes started, I’ve had people whisper and stare at me.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what they’re talking about.

Alex may have killed the horrible pictures and dumb tabloid fodder, but people here still talk a little too much about the viral moments I’ve had with two different hockey players.

Professor Merrett shrugs. “I’ve always been more of a baseball fan myself.”

His casual remark has me smiling and leaning back into my seat. Because he doesn’t care about how I know Alex or why I’m applying for this internship. It’s refreshing.

“You’ve always done your best work when it focused on hockey.

It’s a passion of yours. So, I think it’s great that you’re finally accepting help,” he adds, slipping the copy of the paper into the folder of applications we collected over the last year.

“You’ve always been determined to do everything on your own since I’ve known you, but that doesn’t mean you have to.

Soon, you’ll realize life can be hard. We need all the support we can get to handle it all. ”

I’m not sure if my family will be proud of me for accepting Alex’s help, or if it’ll be another reason for Sebastian to be mad. I guess time will tell. “I’m not even guaranteed to get this.”

Although the feeling in my gut tells me I will. Not only because of Alex, but because I truly believe I can make a difference by being part of their team.

“Keep me updated on what you hear,” he tells me, closing the folder and sliding it into his filing cabinet. “Unless you need me, we won’t meet up until it’s time to submit your petition to graduate and how many tickets you’ll need for commencement in the spring.”

Goosebumps cover my arms. “It sounds so…final. We’re not even at midterms yet this semester.”

He offers me a sympathetic smile. “Time goes by quickly, especially when we least want it to. Enjoy life as it comes, Olive. That’s the best advice I can leave you with.”

It’s solid advice.

I zip my bag up and toss it over my shoulder after standing. “You really prefer baseball over hockey?”

All he does is grin.

*

It’s been an hour since Berlin, Skylar, and I started studying at Berlin’s apartment together.

But I don’t know how much studying we’ve actually done by the time we stopped snacking on the wild assortment of items we all brought with us.

It’s either the sugar or something else making Skylar fidget across from me.

“Are you high?” I ask her, tapping my highlighter against my textbook. “You haven’t sat still since we got here.”

Berlin perks up from the notecards she’s been reading over. “If you’re high, you better share. I haven’t smoked in way too long. My mom told me I needed to ‘relax on the reefer’ before I fry my braincells. Total buzzkill.”

Skylar doesn’t look surprised by that at all. Then again, neither am I. Berlin is a free spirit. She’s admitted to trying mushrooms before, so smoking pot seems like an obvious indulgence for her. “I haven’t smoked pot before.”

Berlin’s eyes bulge. “Never?”

“Never,” she confirms.

“Me neither,” I pipe in, earning me an equal stare in disbelief. “It smells bad. Maybe if it was an edible I’d like it. Who doesn’t enjoy brownies?”

Skylar nods, pointing her pen at me. “True. They have lollipops too. I do love suckers.”

Berlin tries getting our attention back, dropping her cards onto the table. “How have I not been able to corrupt you in this field yet? I feel like I’ve failed.”

“Maybe it’s because we wouldn’t accept brownies from you after hearing your laxative story,” I quip.

Skylar hums. “I don’t think I can trust you offering me a cookie, much less a brownie.”

Berlin groans. “That was one time!”

I turn back to Skylar. “If you’re not high, why are you so fidgety? What aren’t you telling us?”

Berlin seems interested enough to let go of our previous conversation. “Yeah, you have been acting weird. Are you pregnant again? Because there have been studies that siblings get along better with small age gaps between them. I read about it in my child adolescence class.”

Sometimes I forget she’s studying to be a teacher. It’s both terrifying and perfect at the same time.

“I’m not pregnant.” She shoots Berlin a look.

“Then what?” I pry.

Her teeth bite down onto her lower lip. “It’s not official yet but…” She sets her pen down and sets her hands into her lap. “We bought a house.”

My eyes widen. She told me a month ago that they weren’t completely sold on any that they’ve seen. “What? When? Which one? That’s so exciting, Sky!”

“Isn’t that good news?” Berlin asks, her brows pinching when she sees Skylar’s expression. Why does my best friend look like she wants to cry?

Skylar nods slowly. “It is, but it’s scary.

I don’t have a job yet, and I’m probably not going to be able to get one that contributes to the bills like Danny can.

He’s getting his inheritance soon, and the number is…

a lot. Like a lot, a lot. And his family and my family are making plans to move closer to us so they can be around Bentley. ”

I reach out to her, seeing the glaze in her eyes that’s bound to spill over. “That’s good . You’ve been missing your family.”

“I know I have been. Dad is opening a financial advising business here like the one he has in California. He’s planning on running it locally and having his COO take over the one on the West Coast.” Her eyes water.

“It just seems like a fever dream, you know? I came to Lindon to get away from them and get out of my sister’s shadows and now… ”

“They’re coming to support you,” Berlin finishes for her. “I think that’s sweet.”

I squeeze her hand. “You okay?”

She wets her lips. “Yes. Sorry. I don’t know why I’m so emotional. It isn’t like they never loved me. It just feels full circle for them to come to me and support what I’m building here. I’m lucky.”

A tear falls down her cheek that she quickly swipes away.

Berlin stares at her. “You sure you’re not pregnant? You’re not normally this emotional.”

Skylar laugh-snorts. “God, I hope not.”

We all laugh.

“At least you’ll have DJ’s inheritance to help fund your family,” she reasons. “I need a sugar daddy with deep pockets. Especially a young one. Is that asking for too much?”

Both Skylar and I say, “Yes” at the same time.

Berlin abandons her cards again. “If now is the time we all make sappy confessions, I’d like Olive to go next since she’s with a famous hockey player. And because my vagina is full of cobwebs from the lack of sex I’m getting, I require vivid details and descriptions.”

I throw an empty candy wrapper at her head and watch it smack her temple. “You’re such a freak.”

“No,” she corrects, “I’m single and horny. Get it right.”

I grin. “You need a vibrator then. They get the job done well.”

She thinks about it. “That would do. You’ll have to give me some recommendations.”

Skylar cuts in, turning the conversation away from battery-operated boyfriends. “Are you going to Alex’s game this weekend? They’re playing at their stadium, right?”

I nod, unable to stop smiling. “He got me a jersey with his name and number on it.”

Both of their eyes soften.

Berlin sighs lightly. “He got you a jersey. That man is basically peeing on you, and I think that’s hot.”

Skylar and I stare at her.

“Not golden showers,” she says quickly. “I mean, to each their own. But the claiming his territory thing. It’s hot.”

We still stare.

She frowns, picking up her study cards and staring at them. “Shut up,” she mumbles. “I told you I’m single and horny.”

This time, Skylar and I share a look and giggle at her disgruntlement.

Skylar leans her elbow on the coffee table we’re surrounding and sighs. “Look at us. We’re moving on with our lives.”

“ Some of you are,” Berlin chirps in feign irritation. “You bitches are ditching me. Rude.”

“Aww, we’ll miss you too,” I coo at her, playfully poking her cheek.

She swats my hand away, but I can see she’s fighting her own smile. “Stop. I need to be mad at you for at least another two minutes.”

I snort. “Okay, you do that.”

Skylar shakes her head from across the table and goes back to studying.

But she’s right.

Life is about to change, and change is scary.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I send off another text to my brother. He’s been avoiding me ever since finding out about Alex and it’s starting to get on my nerves.

Me: Even though you are being a giant butt to me right now, I still want to wish you good luck at your game tomorrow. Kick Toronto’s ass like I know you can

I know he won’t reply, but I don’t care. If life is going to change, it’s not going to be for the worse. Which means Sebastian will forgive me and I can be with Alex without feeling guilty.

Me: And tell Tori I said hi

Me: And when you’re done being mad at me for no reason, consider Olive as a girl’s name. She’ll be graced with good conversation starters then

I know he’ll at least roll his eyes at that.

He can act angry all he wants, but I know he’ll get over it soon enough. We’re Hendersons, and we’re stubborn. But we’re also lovers in the end.

Me: Love you dork face