Page 2 of Scoring Lessons

Henry Anderson was my twin brother—though give it an hour, and he’d probably remind me (for the millionth time) that he was technically my older brother, having been born two whole minutes before me. He was also the star center for the Chicago Strikers and a total legend. Especially after last season, where he spent most of it benched thanks to an all-out ice brawl he had with my shitty ex—who shall not be named—only to make a massive comeback right before the playoffs. Not only did the team make it all the way, but he also scored the Cup-winning goal.

My brother, the overachiever, ladies and gentlemen.

“Hi, Daisy,” my brother said as she licked his face. “Oh, I missed you, too. Yes, I did,” he cooed.

Kennedy hopped out of the truck with a knowing look. “Sushi’s going to be mad when we get home and he smells the dog scent all over you.”

Kennedy Jones was the newly appointed PR director of the Strikers, my brother’s girlfriend, and quite literally one of my favorite people on the planet. And I didn’t say that lightly. I didn’t like many people, but she and I got along great. She had a fierce personality, and she wasn’t afraid of using it on my brother. He needed someone who humbled him. But most importantly? Someone who made him happy.

“His sunshine,” was what he said to me when he was a little buzzed the night the Strikers won the Cup. A little too sappy for my liking, but it was nice to know he was in love. My brother was a great man, even though I loved giving him a hard time. He deserved it, and I was happy that one of us was able to find their forever person despite the terrible childhood we had.

“I’ll give him some treats to make up for it,” he replied, still scratching Daisy’s ear. She sat beside him, staring up like he’d hung the moon.

Kennedy laughed, her chestnut curls bouncing in a high ponytail as she shook her head. “I don’t think that’ll be enough. You know how territorial he gets.”

“Can we go now?” I sighed. “You saw Daisy like a month ago, and you’ll see her every day from now on.” I grabbed a piece of my hair and smelled it then gagged. “I’m hangry, and my hair smells like hot dog water and subway sweat.”

“Wasn’t New York the best city in the world? That includes their wonderful smells,” he mocked as he handed me Daisy’s leash then grabbed my luggage to put it in the bed of the truck.

I didn’t bring much, thankfully. Mostly clothes and Daisy’s favorite toys. I figured if I was practically forced out of the city I’d thought was my home, I might as well start from scratch.

“It is,” I challenged. Though, I was beginning to think it was overrated. But I could never accept when my brother was right. He’d never let me live it down.

I opened the rear door and let Daisy hop into the back seat first. Once I shut it behind us, I dropped my head against the headrest and let out a tired sigh. “Traveling with a dog is exhausting.”

She was a well-behaved dog, but she was a big girl. And those economy seats were uncomfortable for everybody involved.

“You could’ve driven,” he said.

“My car was in Jack’s name, and I barely used it, anyway.”

Whoa, look at me go—I managed not to cringe after saying my ex’s name out loud. Growth.

My brother did the sensible and smart thing and pretended not to hear his name. I was sure the last thing he wanted to do was talk about the man who got him benched for most of last season.

“Team dinner’s tonight. You coming?” he asked.

I leaned my elbow against the door and stared out the window. The thought of being around people sounded as appealing as Times Square on New Year’s Eve. “Nope.”

“The girls are excited to see you,” Kennedy chimed in.

“They even started some book club thing that I’m sure they’ll love for you to be a part of. All they do is talk about their book boyfriends or whatever.” He rolled his eyes.

Kennedy gripped the arm he had on the armrest and leaned the side of her head against it. “Oh, come on. You’re just jealous because you want in.” I couldn’t see her face, but her tone held smug amusement.

“They steal you for like three hours!” His brows furrowed. “Of course, I want in. I get lonely without you.”

A disbelieving laugh slipped out before I could stop it. “Oh, my God, are you whining? Get a grip.” I never thought I’d see the day when my brother would be down bad for a woman.

Kennedy dropped a kiss on my brother’s cheek. “You’ll always be my number one guy, you know that.”

His shoulders instantly relaxed. “I like the sound of that, Kenny baby.” His voice was light and every bit smitten. The cocky personality my brother typically carried was nowhere to be found.

I scrunched my nose. “Let’s keep the romance to a minimum around me, please.”

Kennedy turned, resting her elbow on the headrest and facing me. Her lips stretched into a knowing grin. “Ah. You’re in the ‘fuck love’ phase. That one’s fun.”

“Can you call it a phase if she’s always been like that?” my brother quipped.