Page 41 of Stick Work

“Yeah, we did a good job of pretending.” I put extra emphasis on the word pretending, for Kalen’s sake.

“Heard from my mom,” Roman tells me.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Apparently, she was talking to your mom and they all loved Taylor. Couldn’t stop talking about her.”

“She’s a great actress,” I tell him.

“She must be.” I glance at Roman and I swear to fucking God if he doesn’t stop grinning, I’m going to drown him. He rubs his hands together. “I heard there were going to be some hot bridesmaids at the wedding. Can’t wait to check them out. Too bad you’re running a ruse and can’t play my wingman.”

“Yeah, too bad.” Not that I’d ever play the rookie’s wingman. Not that he needs me. I almost snort out loud. He has no problem with the women at all. I just hope he never gets screwed over the way Ash and I have.

After Kalen turns off his shower, knots a towel around his waist, and heads back to the change room, Theo Wagner, who I can’t fucking stand, steps in behind him. “I need to snag myself an invite to this wedding. Can you hook me up, Roman? I’ll be your wingman.”

“No can do. It’s a private event.” Even Roman, the well-known player, understands Theo is the world’s biggest dick. Both Jesse Campbell and Tanner Bang warned us about him when they all came here from the Scotia Storms college team. I’m not a spiteful guy, but I’m looking forward to the day he’s traded, and I hope it’s soon.

Theo laughs. “Come on, we can all crush pussy together.”

Fuck, I wouldn’t put it past the guy to crash the party. I grip the faucet handle to stop myself from doing something that could get me kicked off the team.

“Don’t talk about women like that,” I manage through gritted teeth. I heard a few murmurs that he was going to be traded and I can only hope that’s true. Even though he’s a good player, it would be better for the team as a whole if he were.

“What, you sweet on one of them?” he asks as he lathers up.

“No man, he’s got a plus one,” Roman says and I glare at him. He winces and then shuts the fuck up.

“About time he got out there and got his dick wet again.”

“Dude, cool it. His plus one is Taylor Coolidge. She’s helping a guy out.”

“You’re fucking kidding me? You can’t get your own girl? Poaching on a player’s kid sister. Although she is fucking hot. But hey, I thought you were a rule follower.” He laughs and it grates on my last fucking nerve. “But I guess when it comes to hot, young pussy…”

I pound my hand against the shower stall, and Theo jumps back. I’d like nothing more than to give the guy a beating, but then I’d be suspended and he’s really not worth it.

“Talk about her again and I’ll fucking mess you up.” I point to him. “I don’t ever want to hear you say her name.”

“Let’s go,” Roman says quickly and grabs his towel. We leave the shower and Roman gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry about that. Sometimes I engage my mouth before my brain.”

I put my hand on the back of his neck as I pick up my pace, forcing him to keep up with me. I love the guy. I’m not going to hurt him, but I’ve had enough of his shit. “No more talk about Taylor,” I warn in a serious voice that has his eyes widening and his head bobbing. I meet up with Kalen in the locker room, and when I take in his big smile, knowing he’s so happy, equal measures of guilt and longing pull at me.

Fuck, man, I want what he has and I want it with his sister. If he knew, he’d kill me and I can get behind that. He asked one thing of me: to watch over Taylor. What did I do? Oh, just take her to my bed and fall deeper in love with her. Yeah, I need a good beating. Not only because I’ve betrayed my friend, but because I took her virginity, and falling in love was just plain stupid because I’m not the guy for her. She has a whole life to live and told me so.

Beneath Kalen’s watchful eye, I tug on my clothes, and there’s a part of me that thinks he can see right through this ruse, see that I’m crazy about his sister. Once I’m dressed, he puts his hand on my shoulder. “You good, man?”

I nod. “Yeah, just pissed that I made a bad play.”

“Shrug it off, Anchor. There will be more games and more wins. This isn’t all on your shoulders.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, my mood still dark and let’s be honest, it’s not just the game bringing me down. I miss Taylor, miss what we can never have.

“Is something else bothering you?” He goes quiet, thoughtful. “I know things aren’t great back home in California, and you’ve been keeping a low public profile, but you don’t even leave the house unless it’s for a game, or practice, or working on your own house with Taylor.”

Taylor.

Fuck.

“I’m good,” I lie.

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