Page 6 of Mine to Take

But after Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn’t have the heart to argue with her. I would have moved heaven and earth to give her whatever she wanted.

So, here I am—in my junior year at Western.

Unlike my sister, academics have never come easy to me.

Juliette is the resident brainiac of the family.

I, unfortunately, take after my father and was diagnosed with dyslexia in early elementary school. It’s my fucking cross to bear.

As I drop onto the queen-sized bed and stare up at the ceiling, my mind circles back to the shitty English grade Jenna got such a kick out of.

It takes effort to force out the stalled breath trapped in my lungs.

If I don’t get it up, my ass will get benched, and with playoffs right around the corner, that’s the last thing I can afford.

Sure, I’m here to get an education.

But even more importantly, I’m at Western to play hockey.

And if I can’t do that, what’s the fucking point?

2

Willow

“Exactly how did I let you talk me into this?” my bestie asks as we navigate the crowded corridor.

“Because you love me.” I flash an overly sweet smile in her direction.

With a scowl, she flattens her lips before grumbling, “Well, you got me there.”

Holland and I became fast friends back in elementary school. She’s my sister from another mister. The yin to my yang. Whenever I’ve needed her, she’s been there. I’d like to think that I’ve done the same, but at this point, she’s definitely put in more time.

She’s a true friend in every sense of the word.

And there’s nothing I wouldn’t do in return for her.

Holland gives off major don’t-fuck-with-me vibes. But beneath her hard, crunchy exterior lies a soft, nougat filling. Although, if you said that to her, she’d probably take a chunk out of your backside with her teeth.

But she can’t fool me. We’ve been friends long enough that every so often, she’ll drop the mask and allow her vulnerability to take center stage. I love that she’s comfortable enough to give me those rare and precious glimpses of the real Holland.

“Added bonus, you enjoy watching River play.”

A devilish smile lifts the corners of her lips. “Actually, what I enjoy is watching your brother knock grown men on their asses. There’s something immensely satisfying about it. Especially when he does it to one player in particular.” She glances at me. “Which is the real reason I agreed to this outing.”

I knock my thinner shoulder into hers. When she meets my eyes, I waggle my brows. “It wouldn’t be the worst start to a relationship.”

She snorts. “I’m sorry, have you totally lost your mind? I have zero interest in hockey players and even less in your brother.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Her tone turns steely. “One hundred percent.”

My brain tumbles back to our childhood. “You might not realize this, but I’ve always secretly hoped you two would fall in love and get married. Then we’d truly be sisters.”

“What are you talking about? That’s never been a secret. You used to leave sticky notes on my books with our names surrounded by little hearts.”

For years, I tried nudging them in each other’s direction with no luck. Neither seem interested in the other. River treats Holland like the sister he never wanted or asked for.

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