Page 40

Reid

Five days are all I have to finish my paper, and even with Tobie’s help, I’m against the wire.

Going to watch the kids play downtown wasn’t wise. Neither was the time I’ve been spending with Caleb or Javier, but I can’t turn my back on my friends when they need me.

I crack open my second energy drink of the day, rub tired eyes from staring at my laptop screen for the last three hours, and resume typing.

The paper itself isn’t too hard. It’s all the information I have to condense and form into an argument that’s the most time-consuming part.

“Hey, Pollyanna!” A loud knock sounds on my door.

Javier. Shit .

I slam my laptop lid down and shove everything—my laptop, textbooks, and notebook— under my covers before dragging the comforter over the top and leaping to my feet as my door swings open, and Javier sticks his head in.

He gives me a once-over. “You’re not dressed.”

I glance down at my sweatpants and hoodie. “Yeah, I am.”

“No. You’re not dressed for the party, and you’re behaving strangely.” His eyes skate around my room. “You’re up to something.”

“I’m just hanging out. What party?”

“ The frat party. It’s a big one, so it’s a good op to play fake boyfriend.”

It’s been a while since we hit a party. Tobie isn’t a fan of them. Neither is Caleb. I don’t mind them when I’m not behind on an important paper.

Jay was the one pushing us to go to this party to show her that frat parties, as messy as they are at times, can also be fun.

“Play?” It hasn’t felt like play since we started this thing.

He rests his hip on the doorframe and crosses his arms. “Has she said what she’ll do when the ex comes crawling back?”

I shake my head. “She doesn’t believe it’ll happen.”

“It will.”

I silently agree with Jay’s confidence.

Tobie is incredible. She’s beautiful, smart, generous, and sex with her has been the best it’s ever been. If the ex has two brain cells to rub together, and he must if Tobie says he’s headed to law school, he’s going to realize his mistake and want her back.

He’s had six years with her. Why would she choose guys she’s barely known for a few weeks over a guy she loved for years?

I told Javier and Caleb about our run-in with Marc, though I’d kept silent about my fear as I’d watched them talk.

I couldn’t hear what they’d been saying, but I’d seen the way Marc had been looking at her.

No matter what happens, I can’t force her to stay with any of us.

That decision is hers alone, and if she still loves him…

When Jay’s eyes settle on the suspicious bulge under my covers, I scratch my hair as I turn to my closet, deliberately blocking his view. “I’ll get ready and see you at the party.”

“It starts in thirty minutes,” he warns.

“And I’ll be there.” Even though I should be right here finishing my paper.

I agreed to this fake-date thing. Hell, I initiated it. So, if Tobie needs me, I’ll be there.

He’s frowning when my phone vibrates.

I pick up the phone from my desk. Ryder.

“Go. I need to talk to my brother,” I tell Jay.

Still looking like he wants to argue, he leaves, and I answer the call.

“Who’s the girl?” Ryder asks.

I pause on my way to lock my door, something I should have done before I started working on my paper. “What girl?”

“The girl your coach was chewing you out for kissing mid-game.”

“You watched it.”

“Damn right I watched it. When have I ever missed you play?”

He hasn’t. That’s what.

“It’s complicated.” I pull back my comforter and return my books and laptop to my desk.

“Doesn’t seem that way to me. I haven’t seen you look at a girl like that since Ivy Stevens pushed you over in the sandpit, and you threw sand in her face in retaliation.”

I grin. “Ah, puppy love. You didn’t mention this before.”

“I was waiting for you to bring it up. You haven’t, so I’m bringing it up. Who is she?”

I drop into my seat. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”

“The big game is right around the corner, little brother. Is now really the time to lose your focus on a complication?”

I grin. “You sound like Caleb.”

“About that…”

“About what?”

“After he scored at the last game, he looked right at her. That guy never looks at anything but the other side, his teammates, the coach, and the puck.”

I should’ve known he’d pick up on that. He watches all my televised games since he can’t come to them, and when he isn’t working nights at the factory, he’ll call me up and give me pointers. His eyes are as sharp as any coach.

I open my laptop and curse when I discover that my work for the last thirty minutes didn’t save.

“What?”

“Nothing,” I lie. “You realize I’m fighting an uphill battle with you not coming to speak to Coach yourself.”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“Which is exactly what you’ve been doing every time I’ve brought up the coaching position.”

He blows out a sigh and follows it up with a yawn.

As always, guilt is a heavy weight on my chest. Here I am complaining about a paper I hate while still getting to do the thing I love on a daily basis. Ryder loves hockey as much as I do, and he gave it up for me.

“No one is going to want to hire me as a hockey coach, Reid.”

“Of course, they won’t if you don’t put yourself out there. I wouldn’t be the player I am without you.”

“You’re a natural talent. You’d have done fine without a single word from me. Let it go, Reid. Hockey is in the past.”

“Then why are you watching all my games and giving me the same or better coaching advice than my coaches now?”

He doesn’t respond.

“You still love the game as much as you always have. Come and speak to Coach McIntyre. He’d hire you within five minutes of speaking to you. Once he’s on board, he’ll convince the school to take you on.”

Right now, I can’t convince Coach that Ryder wants the job when he won’t even interview for it.

“It’s over, Reid. Let it go.”

“That third assistant coach position won’t stay vacant for long. Once we win the championship, there’ll be more applicants than Coach can handle. There won’t be another chance.”

“It’s over.”

I rake a hand through my hair. “Then you leave me with no other choice than to be devious.”

“Devious how?” I can practically feel his frown.

“I have to go. Speak later.” I hang up.

I’ve been secretly recording his advice. Not so I could get him a job—the coaching position wasn’t an option before. I recorded his advice, and I played it over until I got everything down pat. Now those recordings are going to prove very useful.

My brother is stubborn. That’s okay. I know how to be stubborn too.

If he won’t come to speak to Coach himself, I’ll have to show him exactly what my brother is capable of.

I down my energy drink, glance at the clock, and tell myself I’ll work on the paper for fifteen minutes.

I’ll get ready for the party at seven.