Page 4 of Second-Rate Superstar
Braxton Slate was a champion, something Jaxon had yet to achieve. Although, not for lack of trying. Each year, the Comets inched closer and closer to a league championship.
It was nice while it lasted because Jaxon was on the ice two months later, lifting that famed championship trophy over his head, and my accomplishments were quickly forgotten.
It was almost as if he was silently taunting me. Anything I could do, he could do better.
He didn’t do it on purpose; he was naturally better. I worked hard for everything while it came easily for him. I was fighting a losing battle.
So, now, here we were. On the same team, and the league was in a frenzy, wondering if we would play on the same line.
Seated at one of the makeshift bars on the country club lawn, I sipped my beer, needing a moment of peace. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk today, especially if the topic on everyone’s tongues was the Slate brothers playing together for the first time. Maybe I’d spend my day with the kids. My youngest nephew, Beau, was seven and hockey-obsessed. It wouldn’t be hard to convince him to let me in on whatever pickup game they had going on today while the adults mingled.
Just as I was about to push off my barstool, Levi Nixon dropped onto the seat beside me. Ordering a whiskey neat from the bartender, he turned to me.
“We’re hosting a house party tomorrow night,” he said casually.
Bywe,he meant me, himself, and Blake Abbott. We shared a house in the Hartford suburbs near the Comets’ practice rink. Levi technically owned it, but when he was on his entry-level contract, he needed roommates to pay the mortgage. He’d missed out on the college experience, so he treated his residence as a glorified frat house, throwing post-game parties there instead of spending a fortune at the older players’ favorite nightclub haunt, Spades.
Levi was only a year older than me but went straight to the pros after his draft, the same as Jaxon had. That put him going into his fifth professional year, whereas this season would be my first.
Blake was older than us both but had spent a few years on the Comets’ minor league affiliate in Providence before being called up. He was still working hard to keep his spot and wasn’t looking to put down roots until he was sure this would be a long-term stay.
The housing arrangement worked for all three of us.
“Tomorrow night?” I repeated. “Isn’t that the night of the ring ceremony?”
As champions, the entire Comets organization would be presented with commemorative rings at an event downtown. Levi had been a member of the team last year, so he would be in attendance. It didn’t make sense to throw a party at our place on the same night.
Levi smirked, accepting his drink from the bartender. “Call it an afterparty. The bunnies are gonna be hungry once they hear the news.”
Frowning, I stared at him. “What news?”
“Benji Mills is off the market. The most eligible bachelor on the team showed up with a girl and a kid that people are saying is his. Hearts will be breaking all over the city when word gets out. Gotta strike while the iron is hot.”
I blinked at him. Benji was one of Jaxon’s closest friends. How had I not heard about this? Although, thinking back, Benji had been notably absent at Jaxon’s summer celebration back home in Minnesota during his day with the trophy.
Still, I was in disbelief. “No way,” I said, doubt evident in my tone.
Levi shrugged. “Saw them walk in myself. Chick didn’t look like his type.” He moved his hands like he was outlining a woman’s body, flaring out wide when he reached where her hips would be. “But I guess thatdoesn’t matter when you fuck up and knock her up. Your brother knows all about that.”
“Has anyone ever told you how stupid you sound when you talk about things you know nothing about?” I shot back.
Was I often frustrated by being compared to Jaxon? Sure. But that didn’t mean you could talk badly about my family.
Yes, it was common knowledge that Jaxon and Natalie got marriedafterCharlie was born, but most didn’t know that he had been in love with her for years—almost the entire time she was married to her ex. Charlie or not, he wanted Natalie. Knowing him, he would have moved heaven and earth to have her. That man worshiped the ground his wife walked on. I’d seen it firsthand.
“Whatever,” Levi scoffed. “If I ever found myself in their shoes, you can bet your ass I’d throw enough money at it to make it go away.”
“Classy,” I muttered.
Visibly shuddering beside me, he breathed out, “Even the idea of being tied down to one woman is enough to give me chills.”
Levi didn’t care that women flocked to him because of his status; he used them right back. I had only moved in a week ago but was already dreading our bedrooms sharing a wall. If he could back up even half the number of bunnies he bragged about banging in a week, I was in for a rough ride.
Better invest in quality earplugs now.
Sighing, I steered our conversation back on track. “So, this party . . . ?”
Clapping me on the back, Levi shouted, “Yes! I’ve got Coop spreading the word to all her college friends. Lots of fresh, young talent. You’ll have your pick.”
