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“Good, actually. Make sure you take the practice quiz on Higgens’ website. I usually do that, then make flashcards on the answers I get wrong.”

“I keep forgetting about the practice tests.” I’m guessing by the panicked look on her face, she isn’t as prepared as I am. Some people might be shocked that I’m able to juggle my business classes, hockey, and a social life, but it’s never been much of an issue. At least not until this semester.

Delfy House is getting a bad rap for being a party house—this is nothing new, particularly over the weekends.

However, the frequency of these parties is increasing; they’re nearly daily now.

It’s like the graduating seniors, myself included, are celebrating harder than ever, not wanting to miss out on the fun before going out into the big, wide world of true adulthood.

Classic behavior of FOMO and YOLO all mixed into one.

Checking my watch, I note that it’s almost eight-thirty a.m. I wish Sandy good luck and make the trek toward Woodsen Hall.

This is the third business class I’ve taken with Professor Higgens, and I have to admit, he’s my favorite professor here on campus.

He’s a huge hockey fan and doesn’t mind if I sometimes skip class and sneak into one of his other lectures.

As long as I keep my grades up, turn in my homework on time, and show up for exam days, I’m good to go.

I’m embarrassed to admit, I’ve only shown up to my assigned time slot for this particular class twice, always sneaking in the back and staying out of sight.

Today is similar; most of my classmates are already here, chatting with each other or reading their textbooks while they wait for the professor.

When I take an empty seat in the back, I decide to text my brother.

Adrian: Hey.

The dots immediately start moving, indicating that Felix is typing. Of course, he would be up at this time. Although now that I think about it, I can’t remember if he has a class on Monday mornings.

Felix: Uh oh. What did you do?

I bark out a laugh.

Adrian: What? Can’t I just say good morning to my baby brother?

Felix: You can, but you didn’t. You said, ‘Hey.’

Adrian: LOL. What’s wrong with the word ‘hey?’ And why you gotta assume I did something?

Felix: *Laughing Emoji* Because that ‘hey’ reeks of guilt. So, I’ll only ask one more time. What did you do?

Adrian: I think I fucked up. Coach is gonna have my ass.

Felix: Is he still on you about those videos that went viral? Can’t you sit him down and explain that the media is exaggerating things?

Felix: It’s such a load of crap. You’re focused on hockey and nothing like how they describe you in their wannabe tabloids. You don’t get drunk or randomly hook up with strangers.

Felix: If anything, you are out half the night saving their asses.

I could almost kiss my younger brother for coming to my defense like this, but the reality is, he isn’t wrong.

The media loves to paint me in a certain light.

I sigh, scrubbing a frustrated hand through my hair.

The videos that went viral have been really shitty, but I don’t know what to do.

The media will only get worse when I’m in the NHL, but there isn’t too much I can do now other than try to stay out of the spotlight.

Adrian: It isn’t that. Remember Guy?

Felix: The cute blond who won’t stop hitting on you? Please don’t tell me you slept with him. I’m pretty sure he’s barely eighteen. He’s younger than me!

Adrian: Well, thanks for telling me that now! I didn’t pay attention to his age.

Adrian: But no. I didn’t sleep with him. You know he isn’t my type.

Felix: So, what happened then??

Adrian: He got trashed, and I tried doing the right thing by bringing him to his place so he could sober up.

Felix: Gasp. Did he have a boyfriend waiting for him at home?

Adrian: Worse. Coach Wilson was there. Coach is his dad. He answered the door and was pissed!

Even now, guilt swirls around in my stomach. I always knew Guy looked familiar, but how the hell could I have predicted that cluster fuck?

Felix: Oh no! WTF? How do you always get yourself into so much trouble? I swear you need a Daddy.

I roll my eyes and chuckle. Ever since I found out my baby brother is a little into Daddy kink, I swear he likes to bring it up just to make me squirm.

If only he knew I’d actually be open to the idea of having a real Daddy rather than someone I can secretly play with at the club.

The occasional scene here and there doesn’t seem to do much for me anymore.

Adrian: Not that a Daddy has kept you out of trouble. Brat.

Felix: *Angel-Face Emoji* I’m not a true brat. Just a little sassy.

Biting back a smile, I reply with a bunch of crying-laughing emojis.

I’m so happy my brother has come out of his shell more since high school.

He was always so quiet back then, never getting along with his classmates since they were always a few years older than him.

Felix never admitted it, but I get the impression he might have been bullied or picked on for skipping several grades.

Whenever he was around, I tried to protect him, but I can’t be everywhere at once. I’m just glad that we are at the same school now and graduating at the same time. I’d do anything for my baby brother.

Just as Professor Higgens approaches the podium, a throat clears at the front of the lecture hall, and the surrounding chatter dies down.

After silencing my phone, I slide it back into my pocket.

The next hour and a half is a flurry of questions, numbers, and scenarios as I speed through the quiz, feeling confident in my answers.

By the time I’m done, only a few of my classmates have filed out, and I have fifteen minutes to turn in my work, run across campus, and pray that Coach won’t kill me as soon as I walk through his office door.

“How do you think you did?” Professor Higgens asks as soon as I hand over my paperwork.

“Pretty good,” I whisper, not wanting to disrupt the others still taking the test. “I’m just really glad I remembered your trick for memorizing certain formulas. It came in handy when I had to calculate Baton Blue’s return on equity from back in 2022.”

Professor Higgens’ eyes sparkle. “You’re always such a pleasure to chat with, Adrian. I’m glad I can help at least one student in my class. An NHL star, no less.”

I chuckle. “Not in the NHL yet. I’m still waiting to see if I get signed.”

“Oh, they’ll sign you. They’d be morons not to give you a damn contract.

You’re on fire this season.” Professor Higgens laughs, a blush spreading across his cheeks.

“Now go on, get out of here before I get even more passionate and disrupt the whole class. Keep up the good work, Adrian. You have so much potential, son. Not just in hockey, but with your business degree, too.”

Smiling wide at the compliment and preening like a damn peacock, I spin around, only to have my mouth fall open at the sight in front of me.

Up in the first row is a very handsome, very familiar face.

Theo. In his leather jacket with his perfectly styled red hair.

He looks like a bad-boy rock star from my naughtiest dreams.

He’s sitting there, leaning over his test, hand with pencil poised over the paper as if frozen mid-answer. His lips are pursed and that damn curious thick brow is cocked, as if searching for a reason as to why I’m standing here chatting with his professor.

Surprise. I guess we are in the same class.

Just then, the silent alarm on my phone vibrates, indicating I have five minutes to get to Coach’s office in time. Fuck. A desperate part of me wants to wait for Theo to finish up his test, but I can’t afford to piss off Coach even more.

Giving Theo a sassy smile and a little finger wave, I book it out of class.

My stomach is doing those crazy little happy flips of excitement.

I don’t miss that shadow of a smirk that twitches on Theo’s lips as I power walk past him.

Damn, I need an excuse to go visit the bar.

Because there’s no way in hell I’m waiting till the next class to see Theo Walsh and that sexy-as-fuck smile again.