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“Yeah, great, yay for you. How do I fix this?”

“Fix it so you can have an actual relationship or so you can fuck him again?”

“I really fucking hate you.” I switch hands holding the phone and shove my now red fingers into my armpit to warm up. “I want an actual relationship but if all he’s willing to give is sex, then I’ll take that.”

“Does he want a relationship? Isn’t hockey still going?”

“Dude. I’m real tired of your logic right now.” I take a deep breath and think about his question for a minute. “I don’t know if he’s against a relationship or not, and yes, hockey is still going, but I understand the lifestyle he has to live right now. I’m not going to be whining at him because he doesn’t give me enough attention.”

“You’re literally doing that right now.”

“Why do I talk to you again?” I stand and head back toward the school. It’s too damn cold for this.

School doesn’t start for another few days, which means Neal will be in our room constantly. Looks like I’m about to get a new hobby.

10

Joey

Waking up without Nick sucks.

Not cuddling with Nick sucks.

Not getting off multiple times a day sucks.

It’s truly amazing how quickly you get used to something. It’s been barely past two weeks since Nick and I started messing around and already I miss not having him around. It’s been a few days since I ran from his dorm room like my ass was on fire, and it feels like there’s a weight on my shoulders. Well, more weight.

Char texted to tell me that Matt was arrested and thrown into the drunk tank. Again. Mom keeps letting him back in the house even though he doesn’t help out in the slightest and makes a huge mess.

I’ve been told that she blames his lack of work ethic on me.

Somehow, I’m supposed to fix my brother’s issues while playing hockey and going to school, from four hours away. Great.

Nothing new there.

With a sigh, I drop onto my bed and hold my head in my hands. I should be packing for our away game tomorrow, but I just don’t care. Albrooke and Carmichael are a thing now, I guess, Oiler and Johnson are being weirder than normal, and I don’t have the energy to care about either situation. Carmichael is still a raging asshole and I’m tired of hearing it.

Bryce comes in and sits on his bed across from me.

“You okay?”

I sigh and sit up, faking a smile. “Yeah, today’s workout was just a rough one. I’m fine.”

He gives me a sad kind of smile. “You can just tell me you don’t want to talk about it.”

Damn it. My shoulders droop as the energy leaves me.

“That’s fair. Thanks for asking, but I’m not ready to talk about it.”

He nods and pats my shoulder. “I’m gonna grab lunch. You wanna join or are you gonna continue to sit here and sulk?”

I chuckle. “Lunch sounds good.”

Though I would rather sit here and sulk in my loneliness, I don’t really get that option. I have guys to look after.

In the dining room, Oiler and Albrooke are having some kind of heated discussion about bread while Carmichael looks bored and Johnson laughs.

Bryce and I sit and watch as we eat.