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1
Rhys
“The girls here definitely aren’t like the ones at home,” my brother Dane announces as he wags his eyebrows at his best friend, acting like an ass.No way am I putting up with that behavior.I turn to him as he takes in the crowd of sorority girls walking around Storm House, a post-Christmas party in full swing.Of course, it’s nothing compared to what the place is going to look like on New Year’s Eve—and I’m so goddamn tired of it.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”I ask, tipping my cup up to take a sip of beer as I stare at my kid brother, who I’ve been keeping a close eye on.After Christmas, he and his friend came back to the city with me.They’re both attending Scotia Academy next year, and I agreed to let them stay in my dorm room and show them around.But I am so over this partying shit.Thank God I only have one semester left, then it’s off to play defense for the Boston Bucks.
Dane snorts.I’m not sure why he feels the need to act like the big man on campus.It pisses me off.“The girls back home are basic, and the girls here are DTF.”I smack the side of his head.“What the fuck, Cheddar?”he complains.
“Down to fuck?Really?Have some fucking respect.”
He rubs his head and exchanges a strange look with his friend.Yeah, I get it.I have a reputation a mile long and they both know it.But a reputation is one thing.Wild antics and partying is what people expect from me.Over the last four years, I’ve watched all my friends grow up, and settle down.Damned if I’m not jealous.The only problem is that girls aren’t attracted to Rhys Taylor.They all want a piece of Cheddar—a nickname given to me because I have red hair, and because my parents operate the biggest artisan cheese company in Bass River, an hour outside the city.
“I need another drink,” Dane mumbles under his breath and nudges his friend Jesse.
“Don’t drink too much,” I shout out after him.
“Okay, Dad.”
I shake my head as he leaves.Maybe my kid brother is trying to impress me, and maybe I am turning into Dad.That makes me laugh.Now I know how Dad feels when he was trying to tame me back in the day.I have to say, my kid brother is definitely following in my footsteps, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.The truth is, I want him to respect women.I might have slept around, sure, and partied as Cheddar, but I’m still Rhys underneath it all, and I treat women the way they should be treated, with respect.
As my brother disappears, my phone pings and I pull it from my back pocket.I take another fast glance around Storm House before I read the message.Even though I still have a room in the frat, I barely know anyone here tonight.I know the players, just not as well as I know the guys from my coming up years.The team has changed over the last four years, taken over by the new kids ready to make their mark in the world.I turn my attention to my phone and my heart beats a little faster as I read the message.
Lisa: Hey Rhys, how’s your night going?
Me: Not bad.At Storm House.Keeping an eye on my younger brother.Are you still in Calgary?
Lisa and I have been chatting for weeks now.I’m on an app, and yeah okay, it might be a bit pathetic, but I own that.Seriously though, I wanted to meet someone who didn’t know me as Cheddar.Someone who’ll call me Rhys and get to know the guy beneath the jersey.Lisa, who I’m chatting with now, went home for the holidays but she goes to college here.We’ve yet to meet in person, and I’m not in a rush.I like getting to know her like this first.
Lisa: Still here with the fam.You’re a good big brother.
Me: I still have a few more days with him and if he keeps talking shit, no one will ever find the body.
Lisa: (Laughing emoji) You’re too funny.I won’t keep you.Go have fun, but not too much fun.
Me: I’d rather be talking to you.
Lisa: Such a sweet talker.
I laugh at that.Okay, that might have come off a bit cheesy, but then again, they do call me Cheddar.Lisa doesn’t, though, and I want her to think I’m more than a FBOI.Sure, I’ve always been a fuck boy.Is it so want to want more?I glance up and spot my brother handing Nate’s sister Kendra a cup.Shit.Nate will be replacing Caleb as team captain next year when we all graduate and Dane—who will be the new kid on the team—should not be messing with Nate’s little sister.
Me: GTG, my brother is about to get himself into a world of hurt.
Lisa: Uh oh.What is he doing?
Me: Looking at Nate’s sister like he’s DTF.
Lisa: Go, save his butt.
Me: I’ll message you later, okay?
Lisa: Sounds good.
Before I tuck my phone away, another message comes in.
Lisa: I’m looking forward to it, and you ARE a good big brother.
I can’t seem to wipe the stupid smile off my face as I slide my phone into my back pocket.I really like Lisa, even though I have no idea what she looks like.All I know is she goes to school here and is studying English.She wants to be a writer.I thought about checking with my buddy Brandon to see if he knew her.He’s an aspiring writer too, but I kind of like the idea of keeping us in this bubble for now.I like having her all to myself.
