AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good. The first few days of classes have been exciting. Met a few new people. And I got myself a date.”
His brows jump. “Oh, really?” Jax is the only one of the dads who won’t go into overprotective-dad-mode when it comes to boys. He listens to what I have to say and gives me advice.
I nod. “His name is Ryan Tucker. He’s on the football team. He’s also funny, sweet, and... I don’t know, I think it will be fun.” I haven’t really been on a date before. Sure, Jonas and I have gone out a few times, but we already had an established friendship, and knew everything about each other. This is going to be different.
My attention turns to the rink. More specifically, the man in the net. I always wished it would be him. That we would take that step from friendship to something more. That butterflies would fill my belly as we held hands, snuggling together while we watched a movie.
But that’s not going to happen, no matter how much I wish. I really need to get Toby out of my head, I have a date with someone else.
“I know him,” Jax confirms. “He’s a good kid. But I’m surprised he asked you out. Your dads warned them off.” He gives me a mischievous grin.
“I know.” I shoot him a glare. “I’m going to be having words with them about it too.”
“They’re just looking out for you,” he chuckles.
“Dad!” I gape at him. “No, that’s not how you do that. Plus, I already have enough people talking about me for other reasons, I don’t need more.”
Not that the football guys have been giving me a hard time about it; I have yet to run into anyone else on the team. But still. I’m not a big fan of having the attention on me and having pretty much all my parents as faculty members at my university, I know it’s going to come with its challenges.
The amusement on Jax’s face falls. “How are you doing with that? Are people giving you a hard time?”
I shrug. “Not really. I mean, I get a few whispers here and there and the odd look, but it’s college and people do stupid stuff all the time. Just last night I saw a video of some guy streaking across campus and taking a bath in the fountain in front of the library.”
“Dear god.” He shakes his head. “You kids these days scare me.”
“Like you haven’t done anything crazy?” I giggle. “I’ve heard some stories, you know.”
He grins. “Yeah, okay, point taken.”
“I’m just sorry you guys had to see me like that.” I nibble on my lower lip, my eyes falling to my hands as I play with my sweater. “Sloppy drunk and half naked. Not what a girl wants their parents to see.”
“I’m gonna be honest, we could have lived without seeing it.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder. “And not because of what was in the video. We wish you could just have fun without people trying to use it against you. Chase is not happy about who posted it.”
“How is he doing? Has Kayla ever tried anything since she’s gotten out?”
“No.” Jax shakes his head. “Although, last year, your moms were out and bumped into her. Rain may have accidentally tripped her, leaving her with a bloody nose and two black eyes.”
“Good,” I huff angrily. “She deserves worse. Her daughter isn’t all that better.”
“Let us know if she starts to give you any issues, okay? We would rather put a stop to things before anything bad happens.”
“I will.”
“Hey, Coach,” a guy from the rink shouts. “Who’s the sexy little thing sitting next to you? And does your wife know?” he chuckles.
My eyes widen in shock. Is this guy for real? “Fucking little shit,” Jax snarls. He stands up, about to chew him out, no doubt, but before he gets the chance to, someone speed skates over to him and body checks him onto the ice.
I gasp, jolting to my feet as Bishop rips his helmet off and looms over the guy laying flat on the ice. “Watch your fucking mouth, Newburry,” Bishop spits. “That's the fucking coach’s daughter. And my best friend. Disrespect her like that again, and I’ll fucking make you eat your own teeth, got it?”
Jax blows his whistle. “Alright, everyone, that's enough. Practice is over. Grant.” He directs towards Bishop. “Next time, let me do my job. And Newburry, disrespect me or my family again, and you’re off the team. I don’t care how much money your daddy has, I can assure you, I have more,” Jax snarls, shooting this dude with a murderous look and holy shit, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this mad before.
“Sorry, Coach,” Newburry mumbles, skating off the ice with the other members.
“I don’t fucking like him,” Bishop states, stopping next to me and Jax. His hair drips with sweat, falling over his forehead. Ugh, okay, maybe it’s not just Toby I’ve appreciated. Bishop is hot, I’m not blind. But he’s also one of my best friends, my best friend's brother, and my other best friend’s best friend. Yeah, let’s just say it’s complicated enough that I’m in love with my stepbrother, I’m not going to throw my best friend into the mix too. I have enough issues to deal with as it is.
“Hey, Bianca,” a guy who skates up to the box greets. I look over to see B’s head snap up and her eyes widen.
“Clay?” she blinks. “You’re on the hockey team?”
