Page 3 of Penalty to the Heart

Not this again.

Jack and his thousand ways of how I could be a better version of myself.

“Just say the word, and I’ll talk to him tomorrow. If going back to school is really something you want to do, I’ll make it happen.”

“I love you, bro, but fuck no,” I hiccup, the taste of acrid bile rising to my throat again just at the thought of going back to school. “It was hard enough to graduate from high school. No way in hell am I going back to that.”

I watch my brother’s shoulders slump in disappointment. I guess it would be easier for him to stomach my partying if I was making something of myself. Apparently, me being the star goalie of one of the best teams in the NHL isn’t enough for Jack.

I have no idea why he thinks I can be more when I’m perfectly happy, just as I am.

I mean, I get it.

I understand why Jack thinks my life choices don’t make much sense, but shouldn’t I be the one allowed to make those choices?

So I like having a bit of fun on my nights off. So what?

You’re only young once, right?

Jack is the one who was a full-fledged adult before his balls even dropped.

Not me.

I intend to take my sweet-ass time.

Sensing that he won’t be able to talk any sense to me, he goes for another approach.

“This shit has to stop, Caleb. You can’t call me up at all hours of the night because you can’t handle your liquor. Here’s a novel idea—don’t drink. Then, I could at least have a good night’s sleep for once, not worrying about what you’re up to.”

“Hey, aren’t you the one that always says I need to be more responsible? What’s more responsible than calling my big brother to drive me home when I’m in this state?”

“A pain in my ass,” he replies with a snarl.

“Aw, come on, Jack. Just help me up already. It stinks down here,” I beg, holding out my arms again for him to take.

He drags his hand over his face but ultimately relents to my plea, pushing himself off his car door to help me up.

“Fuck. You’ve really outdone yourself tonight,” he complains, his nose scrunching when the foul odor of my vomit reaches his nostrils.

“Hey, you know my motto—go big or go home,” I smirk as he pulls me up with all his might.

But just as I try to stand on my own two feet, I suddenly get dizzy, the world spinning in circles around me.Thankfully, Jack grabs hold of me, preventing my knees from buckling.

“Fuck, you’re a mess,” he grumbles, helping me towards the car.

“Hey, don’t go kicking me when I’m down.”

“I’ll leave that to Erin.” He grins knowingly.

Shit.

“How angry is she?” I ask, already dreading my sister-in-law’s reaction to tonight’s little mishap.

“How angry do you think? You called at four in the morning, waking me, her, and both of our babies up. She’s beyond pissed.”

“Yeah, I thought as much. I’ll make it up to her.”

“Yes, you will,” my brother adds assertively. “I’m talking babysitting duty for a month, at least.”

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