Page 22 of The Knockout

Ares

Why?

Maddox

She’s a better shot than Caitlyn.

Ares

Fuck me.

Hey, you beautiful people. It’s summertime in the city, and it’s getting HOT. The Wilder and Sinclair brothers were spotted last night at West End, celebrating the oldest Sinclair’s recently signed contract with the Philadelphia Revolution. You heard it right here. The Sinclairs have traded in their football legacy for hockey skates. And while this reporter will miss the tight pants, the sheer testosterone on display between Ares Wilder, Cross Wilder, and his brother-in-law Nixon Sinclair there is enough testosterone on the ice to make this reporter pant. And it definitely looked like I wasn’t the only one panting last night. Remember ladies, two of these three men are SINGLE.

#HotHockeyPlayers #NewFamilyLegacy #KroydonKronicles

ARES

“Get your ass moving, Sinclair.” I pound on Nixon’s door once before walking down the hall and grabbing my hockey bag. The season might be over, but practice never stops if you’re smart.

When I move into the kitchen, Bellamy is already sitting at the table with a mess of papers spread around her. I check my watch, then grab a bottle of water and stare at my sister. “What are you doing up so early?”

Bellamy looks up from a fat textbook and pushes her glasses on top of her head. “I’ve got a test this afternoon. Just trying to go over everything one more time.” She lays her bright pink highlighter down and stares a little too closely at me. “The better question is, what are you up to, big brother?”

I cross my arms and wait because B hates it when someone doesn’t answer her.

Drives her batshit crazy.

Waiting her out is the least painful way to find out what the fuck she’s talking about because there’s no way she knows what I’m doing, and I’d like to keep it that way.

My kid sister cocks her head to the side and smiles like a creepy psycho killer or something. “Your suitcase is packed andsitting next to your bed, and you told Cross yesterday you’d be coming to the beach two days later than the rest of us. So... where are you going, big brother?”

Why the fuck did I agree to roommates?

She’s not even paying me rent.

“You watch too many true-crime shows, B.”

She smiles proudly. “I could have been a detective.”

Nixon walks into the kitchen and snags my water out of my hand. “Thanks, man. We ready to roll?”

“Yeah,” I shove him back and grab another bottle from the fridge. “Let’s go. We’re meeting the guys at the practice rink in fifteen minutes.”

“And . . .” Bellamy pushes.

“And I’ll see you at the beach next week. Good luck on the test.” I take a step out of the kitchen, and Nixon turns back to her.

“What’d I miss?” He grabs a piece of bacon from B’s plate and pops it in his mouth.

“Ares is going somewhere this weekend when the rest of us are heading to the beach.” She smacks Nix’s hand when he moves in for a second piece of bacon. “Make your own.”

Nixon catches up to me as I walk through the door. “Where are you going, god of war?” “You got a girl you haven’t mentioned?”

If he only knew.

“Heading out to see a friend.” That’s all I’m willing to tell him.

“Is she a hotfriend? And does shehavehot friends?”

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