Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Coach Bryant blows his whistle after we run through all the practice pucks. The next three-man team skates onto the ice to take our places.
“Hit the showers,” Coach Bryant says to us. I turn to skate off the ice, and he adds, “Tucker and Trent hang back for a second. I need to talk to you two.”
Preston exits the rink as the other players take their places on the ice. Coach blows his whistle, telling them to begin as he slips between Tucker and me. He rests his hand on each of our shoulders.
“One more game, and you’ll be back on the ice with the team,” he tells us.
I remove my mouthguard. “I’m ready, Coach. We both are.”
“Look, I know something is going on with you guys. If you need to talk, you can come to me. I’m here for you no matter what.”
I raise a curious eyebrow at him. “Nothing is going on with us.”
Does he think we’re on drugs or something? He’s never acted this way with us before.
He cocks his head at Tucker. “Are you sure? Because I can usually count on you two, and lately—”
“I need help with a class,” Tucker confesses because it’s true.
Coach nods. “Do you need a tutor? If you do, I can have Dean Whittaker arrange one for you.”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I can figure it out. I need to spend more time studying.”
Our suspension has already raised suspicions within the league. Everyone wants to know why the Kane twins are out for “academic” reasons. People can speculate as much as they want because we’ll be back in the game next weekend.
Coach squeezes our shoulders. “Hit the showers, boys.”
We skate off the ice and head toward the locker room.
“You better have a plan,” I say to Tucker.
“You know me.” He takes out his mouthguard and grins. “I got it covered, baby bro.”
Tucker is two minutes older than me and never lets me forget it.
“Then act like it. I’m sick of cleaning up your messes.”
Once inside the locker room, Preston stops by our lockers with a towel around his waist, his hair wet from the shower. “You guys heading over to the carnival later? A few of us are going.”
I shrug. “Depends. Who’s going?”
“Bex wants to go. I think she’s bringing her friend, Taylor.”
Even though he refuses to admit it, Drake has a massive crush on Taylor Bradshaw. Bex Bryant is Coach Bryant’s only daughter and a basketball player at Strickland University. Taylor is her roommate and teammate.
A smirk crosses Tucker’s lips.“Is she bringing anyone for me?”
Preston opens his locker and drops his towel over the top of it. “Doubt it. You’ll have your pick of girls in the Quad.”
I already have my sights on one girl in particular. Last weekend, I told Jemma I wanted another kiss from her and plan to make good on that promise.
Chapter Eight
Jemma
Staring in the mirror, I hug my stomach, feeling exposed. “This is not a dress,” I tell Jordan. “How can you wear this in public? Why do you even own this?”
She laughs, coming up behind me in a barely there Kelly green dress that hugs her curves. “Lighten up already, Jem. Remember why you’re at Strick U. This year is all about having fun, hooking up with cute guys, and getting out of your comfort zone.”
“Why can’t I wear something that covers my ass?”
Jordan chuckles, even though I don’t find it funny. She glances at my backside and slaps it, causing me to jump forward.
I laugh, now rubbing my hurt cheek. “What was that for?”
She shrugs, appraising my clothes in the mirror. “Trying to take your mind off everything. Seriously, sis, you are stressing me out.” Jordan clutches my shoulder and then spins me around so we’re facing. “Please don’t act like this in front of the other girls or the frat guys who will be there. They will sniff out your fear and go in for the kill.”
I shake my head, laughing. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Hey, at least my plan to distract you is working.”
Jordan fixes her hair in the mirror. She applies a shiny gloss coat over the red lipstick and presses her lips together.
“It’s bad enough we have to kiss strangers for money.”
She rolls her eyes at me in the mirror and scoffs. “Jem, this is what college is all about. Or what this sorority is all about. Do you have to do a few embarrassing things to become one of us? Yes, but it’s worth it. Trust me. And today is all about raising money for an amazing organization. Think of all the good this money will do.”
I cock an eyebrow at her. “Okay, I guess you’re right. This is all so new to me.”
She chuckles. “Our lives back home were boring. That’s why everything with you and Corey worked out the way it did. Right?”