Page 35 of The Bro-code

I tell her about my encounter with Ryker.

“Holy shit,” Lake is fanning herself. “How is it possible that you didn’t even kiss and yet, that sounds super hot?”

Beats me. “I don’t know. The attraction between us was insane, but I’m glad we didn’t have the chance to take things further. He’s a hockey player and since I got my heart crushed by a hockey player, I decided to swear them all off.”

Lakyn doesn’t look convinced. “The problem isn’t what kind of sport your ex played. The problem is that you were dating the biggest douche in all of Douche-ville.”

I laugh. “You don’t sugar coat it, sis.”

Lake is serious. “You know I’ve never liked Topher. I hate that I was right about him, but I’m glad you realized it before you married him.”

I can’t argue with that. “That’s true. When his father said I was the kind of woman they have affairs with, Toph argued with him because he said he loved me. He didn’t argue with the idea of having affairs though. I guess after the way we ended, it shouldn’t surprise me. But look Lake, this is a problem most hockey players have. They’re always surrounded by puck bunnies and adoring women. The temptation to stray is too strong. And I bet it only gets worse if they go pro. Your guys are just the exception to the rule. That’s why I picked them for you.”

Lake nods along every point I make. I should probably be suspicious that she’s agreeing so easily.

“So you say if you hooked up with Cole things would be awkward, right?”

“Yeah.”

She’s ticking points off her fingers. “And no more hockey players because they’re mostly… players, right?”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Correct.”

“Then why did you almost hook up with the new star forward center of the Cove Knights?”

I don’t understand. “What do you mean?”

It’s crazy that my sister knows more than I do. “You must have been away for too long, Bay. Didn’t you see the announcement after the Frozen Four finals that one of the best offense centers in collegiate hockey was transferring to finish his college career in Star Cove? His name is Ryker Moore. Now, not to be weird but I don’t think Ryker is a very common name.”

No, no, no.

What the actual fuck.

The flight attendant did call him Mr. Moore.

“I—I didn’t know. I never heard Coach Harrison’s announcement and when I left, straight after the final, I turned all my devices off for weeks. I asked Liv and Viv to manage all urgent Zeta business and I went off the grid except communications with you and Mom and Dad. I had no idea.”

Lakyn is laughing her ass off.

“It isn’t funny,” I bite out. “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours,” she snorts, drying the tears off her eyes. “Always yours. But you must admit that this is hilarious. You almost hate fucked our school’s new star player.”

I cover my eyes with my hands. “Don’t. How am I going to face Ryker? Did I tell you that he’s one of the most arrogant, annoying jerks?—”

“You did,” Lake howls with laughter. “Maybe I should visit sooner than I planned. I can’t miss your reunion with Ryker.”

I flip her off. “You suck. But actually, I would love to see you, Lake.”

“I wish I could,” she sighs. “But the guys are playing Seattle in a couple of days and Luca’s mom is meeting us all there for wedding planning. We’ll choose bridesmaids dresses too, since Heloise will be there.”

I’m a little confused. “Shouldn’t Heloise be in Star Cove to start classes? Or did she choose a different college?”

“No,” Lake explains. “She convinced her parents to let her take a gap year. She wants to travel the world before duty forces her to grow up.”

I don’t blame her. I wish I had taken a gap year, but it didn’t fit in my five year plan.

“I have to say, the King is surprisingly progressive.”

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