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“I didn’t even think of that,” I say, still in awe over everything that’s happened over the last few weeks. “You think Carmichael has something on my dad and is forcing him to sell?”
He shrugs. “It would make sense. Your dad wanted you to help take over his company, so something must have changed. Your dad has tons of money. He’d never sell for financial reasons.”
“My dad couldn’t care less about money.”
He grew up without it, and for that reason, he could go back to living on welfare if he had to. My dad is an extreme minimalist. Every cent he makes goes back into a new product for his company. None of this makes sense.
“If The Queen knows something, you should look harder for her.”
I snort at his comment. “Fuck, you look harder. I’ve spent all of my free time tracking her. She’s too fucking good.”
“You’re better than her,” Preston challenges. “So stop acting like a spoiled billionaire who didn’t get his way and go after her.”
“I’m not a billionaire,” I counter. “And I’m trying my hardest.”
He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Your dad is. Same thing.”
“Still, it’s not my money.”
Most of the time I pretend as though it doesn’t even exist. Money complicates things. It’s never been important to my parents even though they have it, and they instilled that into me. My dad always says we should live as if the money could disappear tomorrow. Sure, he has a huge house and expensive cars and gadgets, but he doesn’t live too lavishly.
Preston closes the distance between us and extends his hand to me. “C’mon, let’s get a drink.”
“You?” I shoot him a confused expression. “After all the shit you’ve given Tucker about drinking.”
He chuckles. “I just like breaking his balls.”
“I could use a drink,” I say, getting up from the chair. “Or two. I need to clear my head.”
Preston taps me on the back. “It’ll all work out, J. It always does.”
I wish I had his confidence right now. My dad is losing his company. Our family’s fortune and future are now tied to the Carmichaels. On top of that, Shannon hates my guts. And somehow, Cece is at the heart of everything. I just need to figure out the missing piece.
Chapter Sixteen
Jamie
As if my life falling apart isn’t enough, Trent has just informed all of us that his girlfriend, Jemma, is pregnant. We sit in the living room staring at him like he has ten heads. I think I might be hallucinating because there’s no way Trent would make this big of a mistake.
“Pregnant,” Drake mutters. “Is it yours?”
Trent nods. “Yeah.”
Drake crosses his arms over his thick chest and nods. “You sure it’s not Tuck’s? He fucked her, too.”
“That was months ago,” Trent shoots back, his mouth twisted in anger. “It’s in the past.”
“Just sayin’,” Drake says. “It might not be yours.”
“What difference would it make?” Trent shakes his head, annoyed, blowing out a puff of air.
“We’re going out,” Tucker says, slapping Trent on the back. “Need to get this guy drunk. He’s gonna be a baby daddy.”
Trent snickers, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets. He doesn’t speak, the life drained from his eyes. I’d have the same reaction if Cece or Shannon hit me with this kind of news. We’re so close to graduation and about to win another championship, so the timing couldn’t be worse.
The twins’ dad had a son when he was in high school. Uncle Tyler gave up Blake for adoption to pursue his professional hockey career. Trent must be thinking the same thing. Though his dad never lost contact with his first-born son, Blake’s still part of their family. His dad will never let Trent walk away from his responsibility, not after making one of the biggest mistakes of his life.
“Strip club?” Tucker asks the group.
We mutter in agreement, and slowly, the vibe in the room changes.
Two hours later, we’re in a private room at the back of Scores, a sports-themed strip club. I look over at my friends on the couches next to me realizing this is our last year together. Nights like this will be in the past after we graduate. Everything is changing.
Trent is having a baby. My family is losing our freedom. I have to choose a path I’m not sure I want to pursue. The Queen’s still out there. Preston is practically married to Bex at this point. Even Tucker and Drake have kept the same girls around for more than one night. Our lives are changing and so is our dynamic.
Pretty soon, Trent will have a baby running around. We’ll all be in different cities, playing for different teams, and against each other—if we’re all lucky enough to be selected in the NHL Draft.
A girl climbs onto my lap, and when she rocks her hips back and forth shaking her tits in my face, I couldn’t care less. Everything feels numb. It’s like my body is here, but my mind is somewhere else. Even with all the naked girls dancing around me, one rubbing against my cock, I still can’t get hard. Not that I want to. This stripper does nothing for me.
