Page 56 of The Bro-code

“You’re unbelievable,” I snarl. “You’re so full of shit, that you don’t even know when you’ve crossed the line. I don’t believe you, Toph. But even if I did, what you did to Lake and the blackmail to keep me from finding out isn’t even what I’m talking about.”

He looks genuinely confused. “Then what are you talking about? What could I possibly have done that we can’t get past?”

Tears well in my eyes and I inhale sharply to swallow them back. “I heard you. You and your dad, at Christmas. How men like you don’t marry women like me, you just fuck us and then you find a suitable match. Someone with the background and the pedigree I so obviously lack.”

I hate the way my pitch goes up at the end, I’m too upset to control it.

Shock flashes in Topher’s dark brown eyes. “You heard that?”

I nod, struggling to keep my voice from trembling. “Every word.”

“But Bay,” his voice softens, gentle and yet insistent. “If you heard us, you must know what I told my dad. You must know that I don’t see you the way he and my mom do. I’ve been in a fight with them since last Christmas, I haven’t even gone home this summer because of it. I told him that I love you, or did you not hear that part?”

It’s true.

He did say that. And yet… “If that was true, then why didn’t you propose? I heard that you wanted to ask me to marry you at midnight on New Year’s Eve. If you really meant what you said to your dad, why didn’t I have an engagement ring to throw at you and Bianca?”

I know I hit the mark when he lowers his gaze. “I—you have to understand, Bay. I’m going to start working with my father after graduation, while I go to Yale law school. He isn’t only my dad, my entire professional life is tied to my family. I didn’t want to propose without their approval. I wanted to wait and find a way to change his mind. I knew, I know, that if they got to know you, they would love you just as much as I do. They would see that you’re perfect for me, even if?—”

Bile rises to my throat. “Even if my parents are just two teachers who live paycheck to paycheck?”

Topher nods. “Yeah.”

“Can you even hear yourself?” I shake my head. “You agree with your father.”

My ex shrugs, clearly not seeing the point. “That we come from different social classes is a fact. What my parents are wrong about is that it should be an obstacle to us being together long term. If they got to know you, they’d see how driven you are, how far you’ll go?—”

“No, thank you.” I stop him. “Even if your elitist views weren’t despicable, I still can’t forgive you for cheating and for how you treated my sister. We’re done, Topher. Now please, get the fuck out of my room.”

CHAPTER 11

UNFORGETTABLE

JAGGER

Iclose my laptop and stretch in my chair, glad for the break from this advanced coding class.

I would know this shit in my sleep, but passing an exam is a totally different matter, so I need to study.

To be honest, I don’t understand people like Cole and Ryker who care about their grades beyond what it takes to stay eligible to play. They have a signed contract with a NHL team waiting for them after graduation, it’s not like they need to use any of the stuff they learn in class.

My situation is totally different. I have the skills to go pro, and despite not entering the draft, I have been approached by several scouts willing to talk to me about a pro contract. Deep down, I’d want nothing but to meet with them and be a professional hockey player, but I can’t.

My family name comes with all sorts of expectations and one of them is that after graduation, I’ll work for the family company. In reality, I wouldn’t even need to work for a living, my family has enough money to last us for several lifetimes, living in luxury. But unless I want to be disowned, I need to follow the path that has been set for me by my father and my grandfather.

A part of me has been toying with the idea of giving up on the family fortune and choosing the career I feel passionate about; after all, pro hockey players earn millions, so it’s not like I’d be destitute if I didn’t go work for Connelly Tech. I don’t do it for the money though. My family isn’t like some of my friends’ who grew up with absentee parents and were raised by Nannies and paid staff.

The Connellys are a close knit bunch and what keeps me from even bringing up my desire to play in the NHL is that my dad would be extremely disappointed in me.

When I brought it up once, after winning the state championship with my prep school, Dad and Grandpa laughed at the idea. So that was it, I have known ever since that this is my last year playing hockey.

The noise of footsteps in the hallway distracts me from my reveries and I stretch again. Topher hates it when we’re late to the team meetings, so I better get moving.

In theory we should have these meetings at the arena, but since we’re all Gammas, the house is way more convenient and we can have beer.

Of course Topher suggested it because it’s his way to retain control of the team despite not being team captain.

“Oh, Jagger. You scared me.”

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