PuckMe_69: I bet you thought you had me fooled, Samantha.
PuckMe_69: You owe me an explanation.
PuckMe_69: And $50. Or an hour of your time.
My blood runs cold from his words. Does he remember me? He sure as hell has never acted like it when we see each other on campus. So, I had assumed he’d forgotten me or, at least, he pretended to. And I have no idea how to respond.
He wants an hour of my time?
I don’t have fifty dollars that’s for sure. But I don’t want to face him.
Decisions, decisions…
Chapter Seven
Tucker
“Looking good, Tuck,” Coach calls out from behind me, watching as I slap the puck into the net.
He comes up beside me and clamps his hand on my right shoulder. “I don’t know what changes you’ve made lately, but whatever it is, keep up the good work. I can already see an improvement.”
I nod, skating alongside him off the ice. “I’ll be ready for Penn State. So will Trent.”
“That’s what I like to hear. At least you’ll be ready after your suspension is lifted.” He pats my back, forcing me forward, as we make our way toward the locker room with the rest of my teammates. “Make sure you keep up with your conditioning. No more screwing around until after we win another championship. You have a shot at the NHL, but nothing is guaranteed. Not until you sign on the dotted line of a contract, and even then you still have to work your ass off to stay there. I got a phone call this morning… scouts will be at the Penn State game.”
A smile turns up the corners of my mouth. “I’ll be ready, Coach. No more fucking off.”
We walk into the locker room, and Coach Bryant continues, “I remember your first tryout for the team. You reminded me so much of your father. But you’re not him. You can be even better if you put in the work.” He smiles. “You’re not the first player I’ve coached who will make it to the NHL, but you’re one of the most promising. Most of the guys who make it can’t hack it.”
“I won’t be one of them, Coach.”
“No, you won’t.” His tone is confident, strong. “We just need to get you through this last season without any more disciplinary actions or injuries. Go hit the weight room and grab Trent on your way there.”
I strip off my gloves and drop them on the floor next to my locker. “You got it.”
Ten minutes later, I stroll through the doors of the gym with my brother and head into the weight room.
“I’ll spot you,” I tell Trent.
He sits down on the weight bench, leaning forward to pick up two dumbbells. We lift in silence for a few minutes taking breaks between sets before he drops the dumbbells on the floor and rests his elbows on his knees, his hair falling onto his face damp with sweat. He wears his longer than I do, somewhat shaggy and always swept over his forehead, where mine is gelled into place. That’s how most people can tell us apart.
“Did you hear back from the tutor?” he says, still catching his breath.
“No,” I spit back. “She read my messages but never responded.”
“You need to find someone else.”
I smirk. “She’s not getting away that easy. I gave her friend fifty dollars. I want the hour I paid for.”
He laughs. “Like you care about fifty bucks. C’mon, Tuck, be serious.”
“It’s the principle. She said she’d tutor me. I paid for it. And now Sam and Eden are probably laughing about how they got one over on me.” I push my hands to my hips, nostrils flared in anger. “No one makes a fool of me.”
“You’re overreacting. Do you really want a girl you fucked to tutor you, anyway? She obviously doesn’t want to help you. Get over yourself and post a private tutoring job on Strick Net. Your pride can take a backseat when it comes to getting your grades up. If you fail, you’re off the team.”
“I know, Trent,” I growl. “Fuck, I know. I’m reminded every day by you and Preston. Am I not allowed to take a piss anymore without someone telling me what to do?”
He holds his arms up in defense and shrugs. “Look, Tuck, we’re only trying to help you. We want what’s best for you. We want you with us when we make it pro.”
“I’m not worried about it,” I assure him because I have it handled. “A stupid class will not come between me and my career. You should know that more than anyone. I don’t care what I have to do to make it happen.”
He peeks up at me from under his light brows with a strange expression on his face, but he doesn’t speak. Even though Trent is younger than me by two minutes, he’s always been the more responsible twin.