Page 22

Crew

T o everyone’s surprise, I’d survived a full twenty-four hours at the apartment.

As much as I didn’t want to be there, and as much as I preferred the hockey house, there was one thing that was missing.

Lane.

It sounded pathetic and probably dramatic, and there was no way in hell I’d admit it aloud, but I missed the dude too much to stay away any longer.

The only reason why I felt alright being here was because I knew the ball was in my court. Kota wouldn’t— at least, hopefully wouldn’t— pull any shenanigans when it was my turn to, right? Then again, she didn’t appear to play by the rules, so I really couldn’t be sure of anything.

After a long night out with the guys last night, Lane and I were still nursing off hangovers, lounging around as if we had the day to waste.

Rob K was snuggled up beside me, and I’d be lying if I said this little guy hadn’t clawed his way into my heart over the past month.

My phone lit up on the coffee table, and I didn’t bother glancing in its direction, having a good idea of who it was.

“Your mom’s calling,” Lane said.

“Just leave it,” I grumbled, letting it ring all the way through.

Twenty minutes later, sure shit enough, it was ringing again.

I ignored it a second time, breathing deeply, but refusing to take my eyes away from the TV.

“It’s your dad this time,” Lane said.

Of course, it was. Ever since splitting up over a decade ago, my parents still held a grudge against each other, and the one way to get under each other’s skin was by using the only denominator they still shared.

Me.

So, every year when my birthday was around the corner, they’d turn it into a competition.

Who could be the better parent? Who got the best gift? Who did I enjoy spending more time with? Blah, fucking blah.

They’d each been trying to reach me for days now and I’d been ignoring every call and every text. I knew I couldn’t avoid them forever, but damn was the idea tempting.

“Just toss me the phone,” I finally mumbled. Catching it with one hand, I reluctantly brought it up to my ear. “Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, Nick. You doing alright? I haven’t heard from you in a couple days.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Alright,” he said, sounding content with my half-ass answer. “Well, since your birthday is coming up, I was hoping you’d come over for dinner.”

I blew out a breath. If only I could pretend we had a game or something that day, but my dad knew our game schedule by heart. Not to mention my birthday was on a Wednesday this year and we only had games over the weekends.

“Can we do dinner on a different night?” I asked.

“Oh, c’mon, son! You don’t have to stay long. We’d like to see you for a bit, though.”

I ran a hand over my face. “Dad...”

“Nick,” he pushed.

I sighed, accepting defeat. Just one hour , I assured myself. I could sit through dinner for one hour without it ruining my birthday.

“Fine,” I agreed. “Great! How’s five o’clock sound?”

“Sounds fine.”

“Georgia said she’s gonna cook all your favorites.”

Great. “Tell her I said thank you.”

“Will do,” he said. “Well, I’ll let you go now. Tell Lane we said hello!”

“Mhm,” I hung up.

The second my phone hit the couch cushion beside me, it was ringing again.

My mom.

“Hello?” I said sharply, before regretting my tone at the sound of my mother’s sweet voice.

“Hi, honey, just checking in. How are you?”

I closed my eyes, inhaling enough air for ten people. “I’m alright, Mom. How are you? How’s Kayla?”

“I’m good! Your sister’s doing well, but she misses you. Asks about you all the time.”

I swear to God, if this is her introduction to guilt tripping me into coming over on my birthday, I’m gonna flip the fu—

“Do you have plans on your birthday already?”

And there it was.

“Uh, I’m supposed to stop by Dad’s for a little.”

I could hear the hostility in her voice, replacing the sweetness. “Oh. Well, do you want to stop over here as well?”

Not really , I wanted to say.

“Um...” I stuttered, “could we do another day?”

She gave a light tsk. “Crew, we’d love to see you on your birthday. You haven’t stopped over in so long, and Kayla and I already wrapped some of your presents.”

I shot Lane a look and he glanced back with sympathy, knowing exactly what was happening.

“Sure, yeah, alright.”

“Yay! Your sister’s gonna be so excited.”

“Mhm, I’m sure.”

“Well, we love you, honey! See you next week!” she squealed, hanging up.

Just fuck me, I guess.

***

I was feeling ballsy. Wasn’t sure why, but I was.

With my birthday coming up and the impending disaster that it was bound to be hopping back and forth between my parent’s houses, I figured that maybe some of my stress would lessen if I didn’t have to worry about World War 3 going on with Kota.

If I caught her at a good time, maybe I could just civilly approach her. I still refused to forfeit, but I guess I was hoping I could convince her to call a truce. Maybe that way, I wouldn’t have to order this stupid porn box I’d been staring at on my computer for twenty minutes like a fucking freak.

When she rolled into the common area with her hair in a low, messy bun, wearing pajamas and fuzzy slippers whose front was shaped like a puppy’s face, I felt unprepared.

I gulped as Kota gave a yawn. She plopped down on the opposite couch, snatching the TV remote off the coffee table and changing the channel like I hadn’t been in the middle of a movie.

“Hey,” I said, a slight waver in my voice.

Finally, she glanced in my direction, looking indifferent. “Hey?”

I was sure she could tell I was nervous, and even though she wasn’t giving that infamous, wicked grin of hers to prove it, I could see a pleased glimmer in her eye, watching me like a python before it attacked an injured antelope.

I cleared my throat. “I have a question.”

Now, she leaned back a bit, seemingly wary. “What?”

I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to ask. I couldn’t ask Can we call a truce? That would just sound like I was forfeiting.

“Why do you hate me so much?” I blurted out instead. Silently, she stared at me, as if trying to figure out if this was part of a prank. “Ever since we moved in, you’ve had it out for me. You don’t act this way towards Lane.” The idea hit me the second the words left my mouth, and I couldn’t help but voice it aloud. “Do you have a thing for him or something?”

She broke into a disgusted grimace. “Ew, no! I do not have a thing for Lane!”

“Then what is it?”

Her eyes turned dark, and as she leaned forward in the slightest, I didn’t realize until now just how much we got along like gasoline on a flame.

“You wanna know why I hate you?” she dared.

“Please,” I insisted.

“I hate you because you’re an egotistical jock that uses girls whenever he pleases and thinks he can do whatever the hell he wants. And I hate men who think they’re better than everyone else and that they’re too good to deal with their own responsibilities!” With that, she stood. “Men suck!” she yelled, stalking off.

I stared off in silence, unsure of what the hell just happened. Was I missing something here?

Only half of that response sounded like it was about me. Did she just hate men in general?

I tried to be nice the first time we met. I even offered for Lane and me to walk the girls home and she pretty much pissed all over my offer. Maybe we would’ve gotten along had she not come out swinging that night.

I jerked my computer back open and hit the order button.