Page 124 of Ice Dance Hockey

“Glad you remember. Where was my call?”

I can’t tell him about Scott. I know I can’t. There’s no point anyway. That whole thing was bizarre. He’s given critiques, but never said anything like that to me. I’m sure it was a one off.

“Rhett’s parents got divorced without telling him. They announced it over mimosas at breakfast.”

“Alright, alright. I guess I can let it go this once, but don’t forget tomorrow. I don’t care if Rhett’s dog dies. I want to hear your voice for five minutes.”

All my insides brighten. He says that to all of us. Even Rachel, who uses that five minutes to sulk in teen at him. Merc’s willing to take emotional beatings from the ones he loves to show that we’re the ones he loves.

I’m fucking included, but I wouldn’t truly be “one of us” without acting aloof about all the love and care. “Yeah, yeah, but Rhett doesn’t have a dog.”

“Doesn’t have a dog,yet.” The mischief in his voice is plain. Is he planning to send Rhett a dog? “Okay, I’ve heard you. I’m appeased. You can go.”

“Wait, uh, Merc? Will you think about letting me and Jack live with Rhett this season? For me it’d be just on the weekends so it’s not like it’s all the time or anything.”

How do I explain that I need him to?

“Jack already has an apartment for the two of you.”

It’s a weak argument and he knows it. Jack won’t care about where he lives, and Rhett will cover any money he’s paid.

“It’s way too soon.” That’s his next objection.

“Right, I’ll just adopt a child with him instead. Is that the correct timeline?”

“God fucking dammit. That’s going to bite me in the ass a lot in the future. Fine, I’ll consider it, but that’s not a yes.”

“Thanks, Merc. All I’m asking.”

Rhett enters the bedroom on cue, just as I’m hanging up.

“I asked him,” I say. “About moving in together.”

“You’re an adult. You shouldn’t have to ask.”

“Yeah, we won’t bother with that argument.” He’s well-versed in the situation with me and Merc. Is it conventional? No, but I need the structure. I want to be under Merc’s wing. Maybe someday it’ll be Rhett’s wing that I’m under but we’re not there yet. A little discipline spanking doesn’t make it so.

Slipping into the walk-in closet, I choose clothes that’ll be inappropriate for dinner. The outfit will include my leather jacket.

Rhett follows me. “What are you doing?”

“Dressing for dinner.”

“You can’t wear that.”

“Oh, well I am.”

He wraps his arms around me, trapping mine to my sides as he attempts to wrest the jacket from my fingers.

“Did I not spank you hard enough?”

I let him pull the jacket away from me. I’m not going to win a physical battle with him. I’ll have to use words. “Your family hid a huge secret from you. They didn’t give a fuck about your reaction. C’mon. We don’t have cameras to worry about in the house, it’s the perfect time to rebel.”

I spin around in his arms so that I can see his face.

“You want to be a rebellious little scorpion?” he says.

“Sort of. I also want to be me. If your family’s going to hate me, at least let them hate me for who I am.”

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