Page 85 of Puck Prince

It’s not that I’m worried about people knowing I have a sister. The internet is forever, and somewhere out there are pictures of Summer and I at some youth league hockey tournament or other. One of the few times my mom bothered to leave her deadweight of a husband behind and show up for a game, dragging Summer along with her.

But I’m worried about what it would mean for people to see me out with my sister. How long until they find out she has a baby? And how long after that before sleazy assholes are digging into her past and asking questions they shouldn’t?

As much as I want to know who the father of Summer’s baby is, I don’t want the dirtbag to get his fifteen minutes of fame off of my name. Even more, I don’t want him speaking to Summer. Ever. Again.

So, I won’t offer up anything until Callie asks. Then I’ll decide whether to tell the truth.

“How did you know what to do?” I ask after taking a long pull from a beer I snagged from the fridge. I lean against the counter to keep from pacing a trench into the kitchen floor, though I can’t keep my foot from tapping.

“I worked as a CNA when I was in college,” Callie says as she hops up to a seat on the counter. “It gave me more credits and also the money to pay for college.”

“Baptism by fire.”

“You could say that. I had to work around my classes, so I pretty much picked up any shift available. From emergency to oncology to pediatric.”

I cross my feet at the ankles. “So you’ve seen it all.”

“Twice. Which is why I’m not worried about Nicky. He’ll be fine.”

“Yeah. That’s…” I drag a hand over my head. “Shit, that’s good.”

She eyes me curiously. “It’s scary, though. Especially for parents.”

I feel her tapping against my walls, searching for a weak spot.

“Seeing Summer panic like that freaked me out. I wasn’t expecting them, and then she was hysterical and he was crying and… I panicked, too.” I take another sip of beer, letting it wash over my nerves. “Nicky has never been sick before.”

Callie takes a sip of her water, swirling the cup. “Nicky. Is that short for Nicholas?”

There’s anothertap, tap. “Yeah.”

“Family name?”

If she’s going to insist we go there, I want to take the express route.

“Are you going to ask the question or are we going to keep dancing around it?”

Callie flicks blonde hair over her shoulder. “I don’t know what you?—”

“Callie.”

At the sound of her name on my lips, her blue eyes find mine. Something unspoken flashes between us, and then she rolls her eyes. “Random question for you, Owen: how is it that you know Summer and Nicky?”

I’ve been dreading this question, but I also can’t help but smile at the sarcastic edge to her voice. I have to bite it back. “Alright, I’m going to be real with you.”

She leans forward, locked in. This question has been on her mind longer than just today, that’s for sure.

“I feel like I can trust you, especially after everything you just did for Summer and Nicky. I feel like I owe you an explanation.”

Her face is almost as pale as her hair. I’m a little worried she’s going to faint as I rake a hand through my hair. “Summer is my sister.”

“Oh.” She sinks back in her stool, her brows pinching together. “Your… sister. She’s your sister?”

“Half-sister.”

“Half,” she breathes, so quietly I can barely hear her. “That makes Nicky your nephew?”

“Half-nephew.” Her brow arches, and I chuckle. “He’s just my nephew. I don’t know if half-nephew is even a thing. Maybe… nephew once removed? I don’t even know what that means.”

---