Page 5 of Unlovable Player

He snatches it back and throws it to one of his teammates. “Gray, get our new teammate a real jersey.”

I let the corners of my lips twitch up before he turns away.

He fucking hates me. That was quick.

AUSTIN

Of all the assholes in the NCAA who could have been traded to the team, Sebastian Huntington is the absolute fucking worst.

Being an asshole is one thing. But being an entitled, spoiled little brat asshole is another.

My ma calls as I’m heading out of the arena and I tell the guys I’ll meet them up later. I start venting about our new teammate without taking a breath.

“-and plus, we don’t evenneedhim, it’s hard enough to keep your spot in the top three lines as it is, the competition-”

“Breathe baby,” Ma says.

“Sorry, I’m just pissed. I don’t understand.”

“Try and see it from his point of view.”

No thanks.

“Your school has the best hockey team in the league, why wouldn’t he be dying for a transfer?”

“It’s just fishy,” I say. “And if it is just that he wanted something, so he asked and got it, then that makes it even worse. I didn’t even see any rumors of a transfer.”

“You said he’s a good player right? So where’s the harm in having as many good quality back-ups as possible? That’s what they do in the NHL.”

“Yeah, but I know this guy, he isn’t gonna be satisfied being a ‘back-up,’ he always has to be the center of attention. There’s no way in hell he’s bent over backwards to get transferred from fuckingYale -sorry Ma - just to sit on the bench.”

She sighs. I caught her on her way out of the house and I’m bitching about something that isn’t that big of a deal compared to all the shit she’s put up with to get me here.

“Sorry, I just had to vent.”

“Don’t apologize. I’d rather you call me and vent then punch the guy in the face.”

“I’m not making any promises on that front.”

“Hey, you’re not a fighter, leave that to the enforcers.”

I hear the lilt in her voice and want to reassure her I won’t get hurt.

“I’m just kidding Ma, I’m not gonna fight the guy.”

“Good.”

“You on your way to work?”

“Yep, only a short shift today though, so I’ll be home by five with my feet up in front ofTLC.”

I snort. “That shit’ll rot your brain.”

“It just makes me grateful my son is an angel, and I don’t have a man to deal with.”

“Angel? Ma, you shouldn’t drink before work.”

She snorts. “Hey, I saw Alyssa yesterday.”

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