Page 15 of Released from the Sin Bin

I don’t justify that with a response. She can believe me if she wants to.

“He’ll see your name on the roster.”

“He never got my name,” I mutter into my food.

“You can’t hide from him for the rest of the semester.”

“I’m hoping enough time will pass that he’ll forget. Or there’s always the option to wear disguises.” I joke, but don’t get a laugh out of her.

“Coach Higgins is a nice guy. If you have a talk with him, I’m sure he’d understand.”

Getting angry, I toss the rest of my burrito onto the table. “The guy came after me without letting me try to explain.”

“I’m sure he was angry–”

“Then he tried to find out my name to get me in trouble, even after I helped save his life.” I lean across the table to get in her face. “You think he’s a nice guy, the same way you think Vic is. You think I’m worse because I don’t hide who I am.” She sits up and gathers her trash to not leave it behind. “They’re just like me. Only if I truly loved someone, I’d never betray them. I wouldn’t ignore their texts and calls. I’d never disappear on them at a party to fuck another girl, and I’d never neglect them so much that they’d go looking for someone else to get off on. Don’t pass that judgment on me.”

I grab the clean napkin on the table at the same time she does and hold it to stop her from leaving and get her attention.

“If I was in love, that person would be my entire world. I’d do anything to support and respect them. She’d never have any doubts.”

“You’re an asshole.” Her chair scrapes the floor as she stands to leave and storms out.

I’d rather be branded an asshole than treat someone the way Willa is being treated. I’d rather never be in a relationship and fuck all the married women if it meant I wasn’t the one hurting them enough to seek revenge on.

I’d rather they all stay away from me, so I don’t turn out to be just like my father.

It’s better to be alone.

O’Halloran’s Pub is a shitty local bar that doesn’t ID any of the guys on the team.

Everyone turns a blind eye once the semester starts and the hockey boys of Drexton Hall are back in town. Braydon would never be allowed in here during the summer.

The bartender offers me a free shot with my beer. I turn it down and notice several empty shot glasses on Braydon’s table. He has his arm wrapped around a girl from Drexton, a few years older than him, whispering in her ear with a seductive smirk.

“He looks like you,” Gentry elbows my arm resting on the bar after following my gaze.

We pulled out a tough win in our game and came here to celebrate.

“I wasn’t that bad as a freshman.” I shake my head.

Shawn Gentry is a year younger than me and still a junior. He came to the team while I was a sophomore, and quickly became the only teammate I could tolerate. He’s private, like me, and doesn’t air all his shit to anyone that listens. I know very little about his home life and I prefer that.

He takes the shot I left on the bar and shrugs. “My girl just texted me. I’m going to head out soon to meet up with her.”

I almost ask what girl, but I don’t care.

Braydon’s girlfriend walks up and he immediately takes his hands off the woman next to him. Holly sits on his lap and kisses him. She works here as a waitress and all the locals know they’re together, but that puck bunny he’s been hanging on isn’t a local and doesn’t care if he’s taken.

“Lighten up, man.” Gentry nudges me again. “Nothing is going to happen with his girlfriend here. He’s all talk and a flirt. Don’t let it ruin your night.”

I take a deep breath to relax. I shouldn’t let it get to me, but it does.

What would Janisa think if she knew I stood back and watched our little brother messing around the way he is?

“Find a woman to let off some steam with,” Gentry suggests. “I haven’t seen you with anyone in a while.”

It’s because I moved into the hockey house this year, and can’t get any privacy from my roommate.

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