Page 33 of The Rookie
Fuck. I’m being weird. Pay attention to what he’s saying, Logan.
Matt takes a swig of coffee and carries on, completely unaware of the entire monologue that just took place inside my brain. “You don’t live here, so you don’t understand how there’s like one woman for every ten dudes out here.”
I roll my eyes. “This isn’t like Alaska in the Gold Rush, bro. What about dating apps?”
He laughs. “Yeah, I tried that, dumbass. Believe me, it’s bad. The single men in this town far outnumber the eligible women. Half the town has blue balls.”
Not the conversation I expected to be having this morning. “That sucks,” is all I manage to say.
“It does. Not all of us are pussy-slaying NHL stars.”
“Well, I’m not anymore. That second thing, anyway. I’m suspended, remember? And that first one ... believe me, I’m not slaying anything.”
“No puck-bunny action?” His tone is filled with surprise.
I shrug. “Not really. There was this one girl last year, but I got the sense she liked the idea of posting about me on Instagram more than she actually liked being with me.”
“When’s the last time you ...ya know.”
“This is a conversation you and I will never have,” I mutter.
He gives me a pointed look.
“Fine.”
I realize I’m being evasive. Matt and I have always been honest with each other. Back when he was eighteen and freaked out that he’d gotten Tessa Elford pregnant, it wasmehe came to for advice.
Thankfully, she wasn’t pregnant, but I listened to his worries and gave him advice during the stressful week when she thought she was. Maybe talking this stuff out is part of being a good brother. Or maybe that’s just Summer’s advice getting into my head. Either way ...
“It’s been a while,” I say begrudgingly.
“So, why don’t you make a play for Summer?”
“No.” My tone leaves little room for negotiation, but Matt is undeterred.
“Why not?”
“Because,” I mutter rather brilliantly.
My brother rolls his eyes. “Okay, then let me ask her out. Like I said, she’s gorgeous.Someoneshould go out with her.”
“No.”
He scoffs. “I don’t have to ask your permission, you know. I could just ask her out.”
The idea of that isnota pleasant one.
Summer isn’t mine, and she’s free to date whoever she wants. But the idea of her with another man? Well, I don’t like it.
The surge of territorial instincts that hit me take me by surprise. Summer’s a grown woman. She can choose who she dates. And it’s not like that man is going to be me—for obvious reasons.
“And take her where, exactly?” I ask. After all, Matt is the one who just mentioned how very little this town has to offer.
“I don’t know. Back to my bedroom? Bed of my truck?”
The thought of that makes my blood boil. “You’re an asshole.”
“I’m kidding. God, you should see your face right now. There are some cool places. The mineral hot springs is one. They don’t have that in the city. Or the farmer’s market. Duke’s Tavern. Lots of places.”
