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“What the fuck is this? You two have never been an issue with grades in the past. But you have decided to fuck off in the braincell department in your senior year? Hudson, you have failed every final so far. I would bet my left nut the exam tomorrow will have the same result. Yet magically you're still passing the class. I don’t know whose dick you sucked for this, but it’s worked—barely!” Coach shakes his head still in disbelief, then continues onto Landon.
“Landon. Son, I’m disappointed. Never did I think you would be sitting here in this situation. I know,weknow, you can do better. Both of you are below the B minus average I expect all my players to have. A document I have all you sign at the beginning of the year. I want you to fucking succeed out in this forsaken world once you leave Groveton. Bag skates on weekends, game or no game. All workouts are mandatory. Midterms next semester determine if you stay on probation for the rest of the season or not. Thank you for fucking up my weekends for the next couple months. Now get the fuck out of my sight.” Coach barks while closing his laptop screen. Both boys stand up, faces neutral, but their chests are heaving.
“We start the first weekend of the next semester, 7am,” Coach adds before the twins leave. I stay seated in place.
Landon’s head turns slightly toward me one more time as he and Hudson walk toward the door. Before leaving, both respond to the coach’s instruction, “Yes, Coach.” They leave the room, closing the door behind them.
A deep exhale leaves my lungs, my hands slightly tremble.
“Banks. If those boys do anything to take this out on you, you tell me. They earned their probation by not fulfilling my expectations of them. Hudson is the goddamn captain, he should know better. He should set an example to the others. Landon lets his brother influence him. The guy is a good kid, but unfortunately, he is in this with Hudson now. We don’t have any games or practices over Christmas break. Take this time to relax and refresh because we are chasing the finals come January, andthe team will need you more than ever for support.” I nod in response. Coach has always been good to me. Helping me find my footing in this new role and supporting me and my decisions with the guys.
“Thank you, Coach, I appreciate that.” I half smile while standing up and start walking toward his office door.
“You did good. Don’t let this weigh too heavily on your shoulders, Banks. Helping me hold them accountable in their academics is why you are here. Remember that.”
Before closing the door behind me, I turn around “Thanks again, Coach, that means a lot.”
I walk back to my office, a couple doors down, half dazed, and my shoulder bumps into someone immediately jolting me.
Looking at his chest, I hold my own, and begin apologizing profusely, “I am so sorry. I didn’t see you. I wasn’t paying attention.” As my eyes move up the strong torso covered in the signature green team hoodie. Continuing up past the strong jawline with some dark stubble, the piercing blue eyes cause my own to widen. His hood is still hanging over his head. Landon.
He chuckles at me when he notices me realizing it is him who I just ran into.
Shit.
“Ms. Lewis. I’m sure you are very sorry. But I’m not.” Then he smirks at me.
I blink at him, unable to move my lips to respond. My heart is racing and could burst out of my chest at any moment.
I am not normally intimidated this easily. These boys, there's something about them that terrifies me. I had a job to do, and I did it. They will need to get over it. By midterms, this will be done and forgotten.
Nodding at his comment, I move to walk around him, not wanting to engage further and cause an unnecessary scene.
Keeping my pace the same, to show I’m not bothered, I walk to my office and close the door softly behind me.
Just one more day until Christmas break.
5
LANDON
She fucked me.
She fucked my brother.
I might be quiet, but do not fucking cross us because it’s the quiet ones you should worry about.
“Didn’t you give her the cash?” Hudson barks from next to me while we drive back home. Slamming my hand against the wheel, “Of course I fucking did. Fifteen grand. I even divided it up for her so she wouldn’t have to. All she had to do was give them to our professors, like every other year, and keep five for herself to keep her fucking mouth shut.”
“Do you think the old bat that retired didn’t fill her in on our arrangement?” Hud questions. Throwing my head back on the seat in frustration, “I mean, it’s fucking possible. Why the fuck wouldn’t she, though? It was a major fucking part of her job.”
“I won’t be quiet about this. I am fucking pissed, bro” an evil laugh leaves my brother’s mouth. The guy is always loud, so his declaration is nothing but on brand. Pulling up our driveway, we live off campus in a large, old, red brick two-story house. It has a white front porch, detached garage, complete with the white picket fence to match. We have large trees in the front to provideextra privacy, which we require. Since leaving home, privacy has become something that we highly value. At home, dad didn’t give us any privacy. Cameras were everywhere, including our rooms. He was always watching us, always itching to punish us, if given the chance. When people say Hud is the spawn of Satan, he doesn’t dispute it, because we both are. Our old man is Satan, and it was the best day ever when we got the news that we got into Groveton, hundreds of miles away from our personal prison. Hockey was a release, our outlet while at home. Along with art, for me. I love drawing, and have dabbled in tattooing because of it. Something to keep me busy when school is done and Hud is off being a pro somewhere. Hearing the car door slam jolts me out of thoughts. Hud is already racing up the porch stairs. Turning off the Rover, I get out and follow behind him.
We are greeted by dark wood floors and staircase with a wrought-iron banister when we walk inside. Hud looks back at me, “I’ll be in the basement. I have an idea.” Then rushes off toward the kitchen to the basement door.
The fuck? He never goes into the basement. It’s unfinished and cold as fuck.
Whatever, I’m sure he will show me once he’s done. Until then, I’m going back to bed. Hud has one more exam, and I’m home free until next semester starts. May as well bask in my freedom while I have it.
