Page 6 of Players Love Hard
Eyes narrowed, Preston opens his mouth to speak. Shockingly, he doesn’t yell at Tucker. They go at it all the time, it’s like listening to a husband and wife bicker. All of us are sick of hearing them curse each other out over Tucker acting like an irresponsible asshole. His lack of caring has hurt our team this year. And with hockey season just starting, we’re already down Tucker and Trent for the first few games.
The doorbell rings, which comes as a welcome relief.
I push myself up from the chair and head toward the door. “That’s probably Shannon.”
No one tries to stop me as I leave the room. Before I hit the landing at the top of the stairs, Preston is behind me. “Hey, wait up, J.” I turn around to look at him, and he continues, “Can you do something about this girl?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think so. Just because she was smart enough to pay extra money for private domain registration doesn’t mean she can hide her IP from me. Not unless she knows what she’s doing.”
“If anyone can find her, it’s you.”
Shrugging, I say, “I’ll do my best. Just don’t get your dad involved, okay? Give me some time to look into the website before you do something stupid.”
He snorts. “Telling my dad isn’t stupid.”
“You don’t have to run to him every time you have a problem.”
“I don’t,” he growls. “We’re close, you know that. I tell my dad everything.”
“A little too much.”
He snickers at my comment.
We descend the stairs, and I can hear Shannon’s sweet voice filling the air. Killian Kade—a right winger who lives in the house with us—is talking to Shannon about school. Apparently, they share a class. She knows everyone on campus. Most of the sorority girls seem to be friends with everyone, especially those in our inner circles. The Greeks and the jocks stick together at Strickland University. We’re like one big clique.
Until last night, I had never thought about kissing Shannon. She’s beautiful and smart and sweet. I can always talk to her without judgment. She never shares what I tell her, and I enjoy talking to her. But I have no interest in anything serious. After everything that happened with Cece over the summer, I’m not ready for another relationship.
“Hey,” Shannon says, her face glowing when she sees me. “You ready?”
Preston gives me a confused look. “Where are you going?”
Sometimes, he can act too much like a parent.
“Not that it’s any of your business, Dad,” I say. “But we’re eating breakfast at Broad Street Beans.”
His eyebrow rises slightly, his gaze shifting between Shannon and me, and then he smiles. “Oh, okay… have fun.”
I know what he’s thinking without him saying it. Preston has been hoping I would meet someone else to get Cece out of my head. What he doesn’t realize is that I will never shake her. She’s the one woman who gets me, even if she’s a miserable bitch. No one has ever come close to reaching Cece’s level in my mind. But maybe Shannon can change that.
“Bring me back one of those scone things,” Killian says, and Shannon laughs.
She taps him on the arm and snorts. “Scone things.”
Killian shrugs. “You know what I mean. The one with the chocolate in it.”
“I make those all the time at the bakery,” Shannon says. “They’re called chocolate chip scones.”
“Then, what are you waiting for?” Killian holds out his hand, motioning for Shannon to get in the kitchen.
She covers her mouth and chuckles, a blush creeping up to her pale cheeks. “Maybe another time.”
“Stop hitting on my girl,” I say to Killian.
Everyone’s head snaps in my direction, and now I realize my mistake. Shannon isn’t my girl. But I felt somewhat protective over her when Killian tried to stake his claim.
Killian narrows his eyes at me. “Your girl?”
Ignoring Killian and Preston’s intense gazes, I hook my arm around Shannon’s back and lead her out of the house where the air already feels lighter. Just being away from my friends helps me to relax.
