Linc sucked in a breath and steeled his spine. “And maybe I don’twantto be great. I’m quite happy to live in the shadow of former-NHL superstar Martin Lincoln Scott. But what about what I want, huh? Maybe I want to be an accountant like Mom, or a free spirit like Amelia, or maybe I want to go to med school like your perfect first born.”
Dad might not have been the cause of his anger, but he’d stoked it, and Lincoln wasn’t in the mood to rein it in. “My point is, it’smylife, not yours. I’m here on a scholarship, and as long as I keep my nose clean, my grades up and don’t fuck up on the ice, I’m happy and school’s happy. Why can’t you be happy?”
He paused. He should stop. But if he stopped, he might never again get the chance – or find the balls – to confront his dad.
“I don’t need to impress scouts or make a name for myself, and I don’t mind the whispers or sneers about how I’m nowhere near as good as my NHL star father. I have no idea what I want to do after college, but playing pro-hockey is not it. Now if you guys don’t mind, I need to have a shower and get an assignment finished up before I turn in for the night. Keeping up appearances is exhausting work.”
He didn’t wait for a ‘goodbye’ before he hung up and fell back onto the bed. The phone rang again. Dad.
With a growl, Linc flung the phone across the room before turning his head into the pillow and letting out a roar. Dad was probably mad, big mad, and Linc didn’t want to deal with another lecture.
He’d said his piece, it was time for his father to stew for a change, instead of vice versa.
Linc’s shoulders were lighter for having said the words that got mangled in his throat any time he’d previously tried to speak them. But a headache brewed behind his eyes and his muscles remained taut. He pulled off his boxers, adding them to the pile of clothes on the floor on his way to the shower.
He’d simmer with his thoughts under a stream of cold water in hopes he could wash away his bad mood. Then all he had to do was figure out how to convince his girlfriend she was perfect just the way she was.
***
Shoulders lighter, Linc strode down the corridor. Ahead Cleo stood talking to Molly outside their English class on Monday morning. Her yoga pants clung to her in all the right places and her oversized, off-the-shoulder sweater showed just enough skin to drive him crazy. Molly acknowledged his approach with a barely noticeable twitch of her eyebrow.
He slid his hands around Cleo’s waist and squeezed as he buried his lips into her hair. He tensed for a beat, unsure whether she would shirk him off or accept the embrace. She softened in his arms, and relief washed over him.
Thank fuck.
“Hola,preciosa.”
Her low moan of appreciation for the Spanish he mumbled against her neck warmed him.
“¿Cómo estás?”
She tipped her head against his shoulder. “Are you learning Spanish, Mr. Darcy?”
“I might have downloaded Duo Lingo. I’m pretty sure the app laughed at my pronunciation yesterday, but it’s there when I need an ego check.” He pecked her cheek.
Giggling, she turned to face him. “Who knew you were such a romantic?”
He nuzzled the side of his jaw against the side of hers. “Don’t tell everyone. I need my soulless, jerk on the ice rep to remain intact. It can be our little secret.”
“Linc!” Russ made his way across the hall to stand next to Molly. “Did you break your phone?”
Cleo’s brows pinched into a frown, and Linc shook his head.
“Your sister hit me up. Sounds like you’re avoiding the parentals and I need to know the party line… y’know, so I can toe it?”
Linc chuckled. “Bumped heads with my dad. No biggie. Just need to cool off before I get back into it with him.”
Russ’s eyes flitted between Cleo and Molly before landing on Linc. He tipped his head, unspoken questions written across his face, then nodded. “As long as you’re okay, you know I’ve got your back, man.”
“Thanks, Russ. ‘Preciate it.”
Casting a final lingering “WTF is going on with you” look, Russ jerked his chin. “Later?”
“Later.”
“Wanna talk about it?” Cleo’s eyes swam with concern, as Russ walked away.
“Clearly not with his BFF. Or in the hallway. Read the room, Cho-Cho.” Molly elbowed Cleo, who gave an embarrassed smile.
