Page 39 of Sweet Thing

The more intuitive and sensitive of my little brothers, for sure.

Me

I barely see him. That’s kind of the point—I’m here when he’s not.

Conor

Addy, don’t go falling for Nyquist. He’s much too old for you.

My cheeks heated. Had Rosie said something? She wouldn’t have shared with Conor, I knew that much. They didnotget along.

Me

Not interested. Hockey players are all assholes. Present company *not* excepted.

Landon

Agreed.

Landon had dated one last year who broke his heart, the bastard.

He added:

Plus, Addy’s not going to waste her time on some guy who impregnates puck bunnies against the urinal. So classy. She wants the Great Love Story like Mom and Dad.

This was true, and I certainly wasn’t expecting my former crush to mature into something as epic as Theo and Elle Kershaw.

Me

Trademark!

Landon

Trademark!

As kids, the last person to yell “trademark” after the first mention of the “Great Love Story” got a punch. These days, we were rarely in each other’s physical presence enough to continue the tradition but still scored points against each other any way we could.

Conor

My girl’s here, so gotta go. Talk soon after + =

Landon

Bro, no one cares about your orgasms.

Conor

I do. I care about them a lot.

Hatch

What have I missed?

Never mind, educational as always. Also, trademark! Conor, last again.

Conor

But I’m about to get laid, so who’s the loser now?

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