That I am, and what are friends for?
“Nice to meet you, Taylor.” He shoves the glove onto his hand. “Nice seeing you, Bex. I’ll text you later, okay?”
She nods.
After Preston leaves, she pushes her hip into mine. “Thanks, Tay. What the hell was that about? I can’t believe you sided with Preston.”
“I didn’t side with anyone. I was saving you from making a horrible mistake. You like Preston. Stop denying it.”
“He’s my dad’s favorite player.”
“That’s not the issue, and you know it. Preston isn’t Kellan. Give him a chance. You might be happy you did.”
“I guess you’re right.” She smiles, a real one this time. “But if I give Preston a chance, you have to be nicer to Drake. He’s one of Preston’s best friends. They’re like brothers.”
I grunt in frustration. “Fine. I’ll be friendly to the giant with a monster cock.”
She chuckles, shaking her head.
I helped Bex with her dating life, and now, I should take charge of my own. But that would require me to step outside of my comfort zone, which I’m not ready to do just yet.
Not with Drake Donovan.
Chapter 3
Drake
After I find Jamie practically fucking a sorority girl on the counter, I sit at the table in the kitchen. Shannon’s been around a lot lately and offered to make us dinner. I guess she thinks Jamie will date her. We’re not interested in settling down in college. And we still have our pro careers ahead of us.
This is the first time a woman has cooked a meal for our house. I’m surprised most of the guys aren’t home for the occasion. Killian Kade, a right winger on our team, left a few minutes ago. He hung around until he got a text and ran out the door. He’s one of the most secretive people I’ve ever met.
With his big mouth, Tucker fills the void with his usual jokes and stupid comments. He hasn’t stopped talking about Shannon’s ass or how much Jamie scored since he entered the kitchen. Tuck can be such an asshole to Jamie sometimes. Tucker is a dick to most people, even though he means nothing by it.
Tucker and Trent, whom everyone on campus calls the Kane twins, sit next to me at the kitchen table. They’re identical in every way, from their height and build to the dimples in their cheeks. Tucker spikes his blond hair in the front, and Trent’s falls over his forehead. Their hair is the only distinguishing factor, though I could tell them apart if they shaved their heads.
Our fathers are best friends and former teammates. Like Jamie and Preston, we’ve been close since birth. Except for Jamie, all of our fathers were professional hockey players. They played for the Philadelphia Flyers and even won the Stanley Cup together.
We learned how to skate almost as soon as we could walk. And we did it together. Then, when we were old enough, we played hockey for the same team. Our parents made sure of it.
I’ve spent every holiday, birthday, and vacation with Tucker, Trent, Preston, and Jamie. We’re like one big non-related family. But that’s also what makes us formidable opponents on the ice.
After Jamie and Shannon set the last bowls on the table, we dig into the food Shannon prepared. The scent of garlic and spices fills my nostrils. I take it all in, unable to remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.
Shannon works at a bakery, and after I sink my teeth into the first bite, I can honestly say this girl knows her way around a kitchen. My mom wasn’t much of a cook. We had a personal chef who would make us whatever we wanted to eat. Though, my mom made bacon for me every morning before school. It’s one of the few foods my mom can cook without burning the shit out of it.
My dad said she ruined a lot of meals while they were dating. After they married, he hired Jacque, so we didn’t have to worry about my mom setting the kitchen on fire. I miss having a chef around. And now we’ve gotten a taste of Shannon’s food. None of us will want her to leave. Jamie better not fuck this up.
We need her.
Shoving a heaping forkful of pasta into my mouth, I laugh at the conversation, only catching the tail end of it.
“So, that makes you two like brothers,” Shannon says, pointing her finger between Jamie and Preston.
“Yeah,” Jamie says. “Sort of. We’re all family, like a dysfunctional family.”
I snort at his comment. “Speak for yourself.”
Shannon glances around the table at each of us. “That’s cool. You all knew each other before you came to Strick U. It must make it easier for you to play hockey together.”
