AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, sweetheart, I’ll tell him.” With the term of endearment, I know he’s talking to my mom.
“Hi, Ma!” I call out as I fall into the worn chair in front of his desk. My dad grins.
“She says good morning, Levi.”
They talk for a few more minutes. Right before he disconnects, he promises her we’ll both be home for dinner.
“Son, good morning. Sorry to drag your ass out of bed so early, but I have a meeting, so this won’t take long.”
He’s not sorry.
“What’s up with that? It’s still dark out,” I grumble.
“Oh, quit your bitching. I need a favor.” He leans back in his chair and props his ankle across his knee. “I just picked up a new pitcher from St. Claire.”
“Cutting it close with your season starting in a couple of months. Classes have already started. How are you pulling that off?” I ask, confused as to why he would make this move now. I assumed he was looking for next season when he was out scouting.
“I know, but I got a call from her coach, and with Stella out for the season, this is perfect. Plus, she’s got a rocket. In all honesty, this is lucky as hell for us.”
I don’t comment on Stella being out since it’s kind of my fault. Well, not my fault, but when the mentor the NHL sends to check up on you knocks up the school's star pitcher… “So what do you need from me?” I push the hood off my head, all warmed up now that I’m inside.
He starts to tell me, then stops abruptly. “Is that a hickey on your neck?”
Grimacing, I nod. Fucking Nora ended up leaving hickeys all over my chest and neck before I realized what she was doing and could stop her.
“Your coach will hand you your ass if he sees that,” my dad points out.
“I know it. I’m hoping with all my gear on he won’t see.”
“Serves you right if he does. Your mom isn't going to be thrilled either.”
Groaning, I agree with him again. “I know she’s not.” Trying to steer the conversation away from the mess on my neck, I ask, “So what do you need from me?”
“Well, I can tell you what I don’t need,” he says pointedly. He drops his eyes to my neck and then looks back up at my face, a dry look and pursed lips driving his point home.
“You don’t want me to let her give me hickeys. Got it.”
He glares. “You still need to tutor someone for your work program, right?”
I nod.
“I need a tutor for my new pitcher. They’re letting her start classes now, although they began last week. She’s taking a couple of accelerated classes to make up for some credits that wouldn’t transfer. She’ll need help getting up to speed.”
“Dad, my season is in full swing. I won’t have time,” I argue. I do not want to be stuck tutoring anyone right now. Especially some uppity chick from St. Claire.
My dad raises a hand to quiet me. “That’s why this is perfect. She won’t need in-depth tutoring, and she’s an athlete, so she’ll understand your hectic schedule.”
What he says makes sense. At least I don’t have to put in a ton of work because she’s failing or anything. “What class?”
“She’s a sports medicine major like you so it’s right up your alley.”
I’m a double major—sports medicine and business. My class schedule is ridiculous, but my dad was adamant that I finish my degree before I enter the NHL. He didn’t care that I was a first-round draft pick going into my freshman year here. Picked up by Chicago, I’ll be heading there right after graduation in a few months to begin my career. Exciting and scary as fuck. I’ve only gotten better in my time here. Fulton University has one of the best hockey programs in the US. I’ve grown as a player here more than I ever thought possible. Cocky shit that I was, I thought I couldn’t possibly get any better. I was wrong.
My dad cuts into my thoughts. “Anatomy. She had to drop the class last semester so she’s taking accelerated A&P. Tough class on a regular schedule. Just help her to stay on track and make sure she doesn’t struggle while she’s trying to get acclimated to the new school, the new team. I know you already took it, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
I want to give him some smart-ass answer about anatomy being my jam and not to worry, but I don’t want another lecture this early in the morning, so I just nod.
“Good. And, Levi, I’m serious. Keep it in your damn pants. Don’t think I don’t know about you and Peta, Violet, Chandra, Ruby, and the rest of my fucking team.” He’s giving me the evil dad eye. I shrug sheepishly and grin at him. “You hockey players need to stay away from my softball players.”
