Page 24 of Someone to Have
He gives me an assessing look. “Is the king of the puck bunnies really considering hanging up his skates?”
“Enough with the manwhore comments.” Irritation grates along my skin like sandpaper. “I swear to God, your sister looks at me like she could contract something just by standing too close.”
Toby flashes a smile that's more a baring of teeth. “I’m not upset about that, and why are you anywhere near my sister?”
I sit down on a nearby bench and start to unlace my skates. I'm not sure what my eyes might reveal when talking about Taylor, but no point taking chances. Toby's the only friend I've got in town, and being a part of the hockey program—even JV—could make a world of difference for Rhett.
“You know she's my neighbor, right?”
Toby lets out a relieved sigh as he plops down next to me. “Right. I forgot you’re in her building. One step away from a retirement home, that place.”
“I like the quiet.”
“Then you and my sister are two peas in a pod. Unless those book club friends drag her out, Tink is a complete homebody. It's kind of concerning.”
“Really?” I pretend to act casual. “She was telling me about auditioning for some community theater production.”
“Dude, no way. She hasn't been on stage since she peed her pants and spewed all over the front row of her elementary school pageant. It's a legend around here. If she does try out, they either need to clear the front row or hand out splash ponchos.”
“That’s fucking rude,” I growl, although I have no reason to feel so defensive on Taylor's behalf.
“Also true,” he counters.
“I’m just saying maybe you don't know her as well as you think you do, or you might reassess your assumptions.”
Toby snorts. “Sure. Whatever, man.”
“Seriously, though.” I place a hand on his shoulder. “Stop with the manwhore comments. I’ve told you about a million times, I’m not the indiscriminate horn dog I was in college.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Maybe I just want to relive the glory days.”
“Live your own life, jackass.” I wipe the sleeve of my sweatshirt across my brow. “And next time, a little warning that you’re going to sic those kids on me.”
“You handled them.”
“The Kircher boy is good.”
Toby nods. “He's also fucking smart. Got a perfect score on the math section of his SAT.”
I whistle under my breath. “Are the Ivies scouting him?”
Toby's mouth twists into a grimace. “He got some interest, but the family doesn't care about academics, so they're not into it. He’d be the first to go to college. His dad is pushing hard for Juniors, but I think it's more about the potential financial upside for dear old Dad than what's good for Hudson.”
“Fuck. That's a hard one.”
“He'll look after Rhett, though.”
“Yeah, thanks.” We stand, and Toby waves as the boys file out.
Hudson raises a hand as he walks by. “We're good for five, Coach. A bunch of us will be here.”
“Appreciate it,” Toby answers, and I nod.
“Thanks for doing that for Rhett. How’d you see film on him? I didn’t know he had any.”
“The coach from his club team in Denver emailed me. Your nephew is legit. Is he really at the library with my sister?”
“Yeah, and about that…the next time you see Taylor…”
