Page 59 of Tutoring Mr. Hotshot

My eyes bounce between the pair. They’ve managed to form some kind of truce while I’ve been asleep. I would be mad about it.

Except… well, I’m more curious than anything else.

Aries was firmly on my side earlier. If Andry convinced him otherwise, then maybe I should listen to him.

“I’m feeding him now. You tell the story. I’ll correct you if you lie,” Andry finally answers after a moment of furrowed focus.

My brother takes that as all the instruction he needs. He begins the tale of what happened, starting with Andry’s practice.

As he dives into the play-by-play, Andry continues to feed me at a steady pace. I get caught up in the gossip style production Aries gives us. I’m hanging onto every word like there’ll be a quiz when he’s done.

“We think that when Andry went to shower, the jackass who doesn’t like you took his phone and texted the breakup thing. Then he deleted it so Andry wouldn’t even know. After that, he showed up for your session. You didn’t show —obvi— so he went to see Jaz.”

“Yaz,” Andry and I say at the same time.

Aries snaps his fingers. “Yes, Yaz. That’s the one. Anyway, she confirmed you’d blocked him, since this guy didn’t know that was a thing. After that, he came here and explained himself. We even called his coach to verify it all.”

I choke on the bite Andry gives me. Chewing quickly, I rush to ask, “You talked to his coach?”

“We did, little genius. He was able to correct the assumptions your brother seemed to have.”

“He was,” Aries adds. “And thus, the plan for revenge was born.”

“Revenge?”

“Yes, revenge. You think these punks can tease my brother and not get payback? That they can hurt your relationship without repercussions?”

I gape at my brother, wondering what the hell he’s talking about. “Someone needs to start explaining.”

“You just keep eating, little one. Your brother will explain his insane plan.”

Aries scoffs dramatically. “Insane? I think it’s rather brilliant.”

Andry shakes his head. “Then tell him so the actual brilliant one among us three can either confirm or deny the validity.”

“Oh, he’s using the big words now, brother. I see why you like him.”

I nearly choke on my bite of food for how ridiculously my brother bats his lashes at me. He’s always been such a character. Even when he’s on the field, you can sense he’s riling his team up. Sometimes he also messes with the opposing team too. That’s when I know it’s going to be an intense game.

“Alright, fine. The plan is simple. We get revenge on the jerks who keep messing with you by messing with them. Coach is going to handle taking care of their punishment on the ice. We’re going to handle it off the ice.”

“How so?” I ask when Aries pauses for dramatic effect a little too long.

“By rubbing their stupid ideas in their faces. We’ve already checked. These guys are obsessed with all things professional hockey. Some also follow the Bulldogs too. What if we make it so they can’t avoid seeing you and Andry everywhere? You’ll be on all their feeds, in every positive story put out there about the team. I’ve even considered us doing some social media interviews as a collective group to show we’re all friends. It’s good publicity, and it shows you’ve got the backing of the most powerful men in the city — at least in the sports world.”

My jaw drops. “That’s actually really smart.”

“Uh, duh! I came up with it. Of course it is.” His haughty act only lasts a minute before he’s cackling like he’s huffed some laughing gas.

Andry gives me a look to let me know he’s amused as well but won’t show it. I appreciate him finding my brother as endearing as I do.

“It sounds like it’ll definitely get their attention,” I admit. “Are you sure we can pull it all off?”

“Leave it to me. You two show up when you’re supposed to, and it’ll work.”

“I’m in if Andry is.”

“Anything for you, little genius,” he agrees easily before adding, “There is one more thing though.”

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