Page 26 of The Bro-code

“You’re such an asshole!” she screams. “I even gave you your pre-game lucky blowjob twice last year.”

What? “Oh but that’s just a pre-game superstition. I don’t count that as a hookup.”

I’m guessing that was also the wrong thing to say, because Candace’s nostrils literally flare. “Oh, really? I have news for you, buddy. Me and all the other girls who vie for the privilege of helping the Cove Knights keep their winning streaks beg to differ. We consider those hookups, so your one time only rule? It’s bullshit.”

My eyes drift down to my smart watch. I really have to go or Coach Harrison will make sure there’s nothing left to blow before next week’s first game of the season.

“Does it really matter, doll? I obviously liked you enough to bring you back here a couple of times and I mean fuck, you’re gorgeous. I’m sorry if that gave you the wrong impression though. You know all we did was have fun and blow off some steam. Breakfast wasn’t included in the deal, even if I had time.”

I’m not trying to be mean, I swear. All the bunnies know the deal. We have fun, I make them come until they beg me to stop and then we see each other around campus and at parties.

“Fine,” Candace bites out.

I know at that very moment that she doesn’t mean it.

I might not do relationships, but I have a mom and a younger sister and that’s the “fine of death.”

“Fine” means I need to get the hell out of here before Candace will make a pissed off Coach Harrison look like a cuddly Care Bear.

Her next words confirm that I blew it. Quite literally.

“If we were just blowing off steam, I’ll inform the other girls how much we matter and how our help with your winning streak doesn’t count. Forget ever being blown, Jugs.” She glares at me, using my nickname on the ice.

What the fuck? “Hold on a second, doll. I never said that. I?—”

“You,” she stalks toward me, hitting my chest with a long, red nail. “Are off our blowjob rota. Good luck with your season, buddy.”

That’s so unnecessarily harsh. “Oh, come on! You’re overreacting, Candace.”

She turns her back to me, starting to collect last night’s clothes from my bedroom floor. “No, I’m not. You really offended me, Jagger. The other girls and I will be on a BJ duty strike until you make things right and take me out on a proper date.”

When hell freezes over.

I don’t say that out loud, but there’s no way I’m gonna be strong armed into taking someone on a date. Especially because I don’t date. “Sorry, doll,” I drawl. “I don’t respond well to threats. Besides, do you really think that all your friends who love to hang out with hockey players will stop hooking up with me, just because you said so?”

She smiles for the first time since we woke up. “Didn’t you just say that the pre-game BJ doesn’t count? The strike is only about that. The girls are free to hook up with you whenever they want. But no more good luck blowies until you wine and dine this girl.”

This is really fucked up. “That will never fly with your friends. They care about the team.”

Candace struts out of my open bedroom door, throwing one last look at me. “We’re on strike, Jugs. You know what to do to make it stop. I wouldn’t want to be you when your teammates find out your selfishness is messing with the team’s good juju.”

The front door being slammed shut echoes into the empty house.

Fuck, all the brothers on the team must be at practice and the ones who aren’t hockey players are probably still asleep on a Saturday morning at six-fifty.

If I drive like I’m Lando Norris, maybe I’ll make it on the ice on time-ish.

This season hasn’t even started and I feel like I’ve already blown it.

COLE

Summer training with the Heroes was awesome, but I must admit I missed my teammates.

As team captain, I feel bad that I wasn’t there with them but when the NHL calls in any way, you answer that call. I know any of my teammates would have done exactly the same thing.

I’ve missed the guys though and I’m excited to see them. Last night when everyone was moving back into the Gamma house, I was out to pick up Bay from the airport and I stayed late to help her unpack. So this is my first chance to see everyone as my teammates come into the locker room to get ready for the first official training session of the season.

“Hey Cap,” Tucker Prescott, our starting goalie now that Cash has gone pro, slaps me on the back.

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