Page 32 of Solitude

“Are we going to that party tonight or what?” Gus asks, brushing the sand off his lap before he stands and lets it fall instead. “Because Makayla and her little group of friends are going to be there, and Idoneed to get laid.”

Ben sighs. “Are you planning to follow her around like a puppy all summer?”

Gus tilts his head like he’s genuinely thinking about it. “Maybe.”

“I’m not chasing tail all summer, buddy,” I remind him.

For a year now, I’ve been prioritizing hockey and the draft. My goal has always been going pro, and I’m finally getting attention from different teams within the NHL. I don’t want to screw it up before I really haveit. Gus committed to a team in Seattle before we even went to Texas.

Ben isn’t that serious about playing professionally. He always says if it happens he’ll be happy, but he’s majoring in something to do with art, which he seems eighty percent more passionate about. If he’s not at hockey practice, he’s in the studio on campus with his hands on a pottery wheel making a mug or some shit.

Gus points a finger at me with narrowed eyes, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You better not, or you’ll need to pay up, Hale.”

“I know, I know.”

“So…” Gus starts slowly, pursing his lips. “It’s cool if I move in on neighbor girl?”

My vision blurs.

“Couldn’t believe it was her at first. She was awkward and bony the last time I saw her.” Gus smirks, “Something about the way her mom clearly hated us made me hot and bothered.”

“She’s not bony anymore. Probably still awkward, though.” Ben adds. “I’m not touching the angry mom bullshit. You have kinks that scare me.”

“Don’t be so vanilla.”

Ben rolls his eyes. “Not even entertaining you, man.”

“No,” I say firmly, interrupting them, and they both look my way. I repeat, “No.”

I’m reduced to single syllables and scowling after this whole conversation. My anger rises, bubbling under my skin and ready to explode. I don’t particularly enjoy hearing them talk about Winnie in any capacity. They’re not allowed to reduce her down to two adjectives that describe whether or not she’s fuckable to them.

It disgusts me.

The mere idea has me ready to throttle my brother and best friend for the first time in my twenty years of life.

“You’re calling dibs?”

I narrow my eyes at Gus. He’s on thin ice.Thinfucking ice.

“I’m not calling dibs on anyone,” I explain slowlybecause clearly he’s an idiot. “She’s beautiful. She’s allowed to hang out with whoever she wants.”

Ben cocks his head, searching my face. “But you’re saying she’s off limits?”

“No.”

“So she’s fair game?” Gus asks, brow furrowed in confusion.

Ben snickers and pats his shoulder. “You’re an idiot.”

Shrugging, I lick my lips and take a step away from them toward the truck. “Sure. Go for it if you want me to kill you in the most slow and painful way possible.”

Both of them nod. “Got it.”

“I’ll see you guys later,” I say, walking backwards and saluting them.

Gus blows me a kiss like I didn’t just threaten his life over a girl. “See ya later, snookums.”

Bluebird Ranch sits twenty minutes from my family home on the outskirts of town, and it’s worth every bit of the drive.

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