Page 187 of The Fake Date Agreement

I suddenly miss my brother in a way I haven’t in so long. He’s matured much faster than I have over the years.

“Yeah, I think I do know.” I clap his arm. “Congrats, little brother. The engagement will help ease the sting of losing the champs.”

He chuckles as he gets to his feet. “Sure it will. You’ll be best man, right?”

I pull my brother into a bear hug. “Like a fucking champ. Just wait until your stag party. I’ll be tying you to the lamppost in the middle of town butt naked. Cheryl will hate me.”

His body shakes as he laughs. “When do I meet your girl?”

“Soon. We have a lot to talk about first, but soon.”

I wave my brother off, feeling positive about the future—not just about the big game but about Tobie as well.

In my bones, I feel that she wants us. Sure, a relationship with three guys might not be normal, whatever that’s supposed to mean. But it works. I don’t trust anyone else to take care of her or treat her as well as Reid, Javier, and I do. They feel the same way.

I return to the arena and spend the next several minutes taking a shower and putting on my suit for the party tonight. It’s nearly six, and with the time it took Chris to get to Lamont, Iwouldn’t have time to change for the party at the dorm. Reid and Javier are picking me up from here so we can get to the hotel together.

Tobie is meeting us at the hotel since she wasn’t interested in having drinks at our dorm with the guys first. When she learned that pretty much the whole team would be there, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what put her off.

She’s not fond of big crowds or parties. Neither am I. I’m just better at hiding it. She was visibly uncomfortable when we went for food with the team after the street hockey game, though she was more relaxed as time went by.

I could have spoken with Chris after spring break or even on the phone, but I needed to do it now. Tobie has opened my eyes to a lot of things I’ve been carrying around for months, if not years. I needed to speak to my brother before the championships. I wanted him to know I missed him. Missed just being hockey buddies before life got complicated, and I forgot the other things in my life that were important.

Like family.

Whatever happens, he’s my brother first, and I love him.

A sound reaches me as I wander the parking lot with my hands stuffed in my pockets, waiting for my ride. I’ve been deep in my thoughts about the future, Tobie, and my brother. Now that I’m paying attention, that sound has been there for a while, and it’s been getting louder.

I twist around, spot the car speeding toward me, and throw myself to the side.

Too late.

My world twists.

Pain floods my body, and tires squeal as I hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud.

I can’t see the driver.

My vision is turning black when, from a distance, I hear someone calling my name.

Reid.

Hands grip my shoulder, my head.

“Caleb? Shit… Jay, have you got your… where the fuck is… yeah. Outside the arena… a car… didn’t see… No. Caleb. Stay with me. Stay w?—”

Chapter 44

Tobie

The Westlake-Carlton Hotelis as intimidating as I thought it would be.

“Ma’am?”

I wrench my gaze from the glass and white marble exterior to smile at the cab driver. “Thanks.”

I hand him money and climb outside, carefully gathering the hem of my dress so I won’t ruin it.

---