Page 72 of Unlovable Player

“Since when have you two been BFFs anyway?”

“BFFs? What is this? A sorority? He’s my linemate, he’syourlinemate, and I want this team to win the Frozen Four this year, don’t you?”

Gray swallows. “Yeah.”

“Good, so don’t make me give that fucking speech again.” I slap his arm and he tries a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

Most of the team have filed out of the locker room before I’m finished getting changed. Me, Gray and Seb stand outside the rink, wondering where to go eat. I suggest the pasta place, but Gray makes some excuse up about having to study and eating in his room.

“I’ll give you a ride back,” Seb says. “I’ve got studying to do too.”

My stomach drops. What the fuck? He doesn’t want to hang out with me? Not even to eat pasta at our shitty pasta place? What the fuck changed since hand-jobs and laughing in the shower this morning?

SEBASTIAN

Idrop Austin and Gray at their place and drive towards home. Fuck, I need to get my head straight. When we’re alone in my apartment, I let myself get wrapped up in the moment. Austin telling me how much he likes me, making me apply for fucking internships in Vancouver.

All I want is to crawl up in bed with him and listen to him talk about literally anything in that sexy accent. Watch his eyebrows knit together and his mouth open in surprise while I make him come.

But fuck, the atmosphere in that locker room. I wanted to mess with him when I first arrived, but now I think I’ve unintentionally ruined his life both on and off the ice.

I get a call from my dad and ignore it. Five seconds later, my phone is blowing up again, this time it’s my sister. Probably my dad asking her to call. If I pick up, he’ll know I’m purposefully ignoring him. I let it ring out. She immediately calls back.

Madison’s a persistent fucker. She’ll keep ringing until I answer.

“Are you ignoring me?”

“What? No, I’ve been busy, you do know I’m in college right?”

She makes a scoffing sound before speaking again. “Daddy’s going out of his mind, you’d better call him back. Don’t worry, I won’t say you picked up for me.”

“Why do you always do what he tells you to do?”

“Why do you always do the opposite?”

“Touché.”

She laughs. “How are you big brother? Getting into trouble yet?”

My jaw clenches. “No, not yet.”

She sighs. “You’re a grown-up now Seb, acting-out stopped being cute like ten years ago.”

“Thanks.”

“Seriously, are you okay?”

I ignore the question. “What does Dad want anyway?”

“He needs you to come to this party they’re having at the house. A load of associates are going to be there and he wants to show you off.”

I groan. “What more do I have to do to be the kind of son you hide away in a basement? Drugs? Shoplifting? Vote Democrat?”

Actually, I already tried that last one. A poster of Bernie Sanders on my bedroom wall didn’t even deter him.

“Be serious.”

“I am being serious.”

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