Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

Her roommate, Chelsea Randy, is a freshman too and the tiniest little girl I’ve ever seen. I thought Callie was short, but this girl is an itty-bitty pack of muscles with bright blond hair and dazzling green eyes. Callie has been super excited to meet her because they’ve been in contact with each other since they learned they would be roommates. They have actually become really good friends. I like Chelsea; she’s driven and funny. I hope she becomes what Aviva is to me, a lifelong soul sister.

After setting up the room in a timely matter, we head to the sports complex. Nico is already there since he agreed to do a goalie clinic with the Bellevue Bullies’ hockey team. He’s been there most of the day, which is good because we wanted to make sure Callie’s room was perfection. He gets bored easily, and Aviva didn’t want him rushing us. I decided to stay with Callie when it was time to head to the gym, while Aviva went back to the hotel for a nap. Pregnancy is kicking her sweet ass. Callie has her parents’ introduction with the gymnastics team tonight, and while I could just wait till then to watch and hang with her, I don’t want to lose any time with her.

I’m going to miss her like crazy.

“So, excited to date?” I joke, and she grins, tucking her hands in the pockets of her team jacket. It’s hot as shit, but she loves her Bellevue jacket.

“I don’t know. With training and school, I don’t want to ruin what I’ve got. I mean, if I meet someone, then it’s cool. But I won’t be going out of my way.”

“Smart, but have fun.”

“I will,” she agrees as we walk through the beautiful park area. This campus is amazing, and if I had known about this school, I would have come here. “I can’t believe I’m here.”

“It’s pretty damn awesome.”

“Yeah,” she says softly, and I can tell she’s nervous. It’s always been her, Aviva, and me. Now it’s about to be only her.

“You can call me anytime.” She nods as she smiles. “I will always be there for you.”

“I know.”

“And no matter what, I’ve got your back.”

“I know you do,” she says, wrapping her arms around my arm. “I just worry about Aviva.”

“I’ve got her,” I promise, but she isn’t convinced.

“You’re about to go down the road of love,” she sings sweetly. “You’re going to be so involved with Kirby and Celeste—”

“You two are my family. I love you—”

“But this is the chance for you to start your own family,” she interjects. “This is what Nico is afraid of. I don’t think you realize what could be in your future, or maybe you’re ignoring it.”

I gawk at her. “Who are you?”

“The product of my sister and my aunt Jaylin,” she says proudly, her face bright and so full of life. “I want you to be happy. For the longest time, I thought your career made you happy, but lately, I’ve noticed you need more.”

How does an eighteen-year-old know more about me than me?

“I want more,” I admit, leaning into her. And apparently, I’m all about spewing my feelings today. “I feel sometimes like Aviva has replaced me with Nico.”

She shakes her head gently. “She didn’t. She added. Just as you could add someone to your life.”

We share a smile as her words wiggle into my soul. She’s right. I’ve fought so hard just to be me, to be successful, and now…now, I want more. While I have fears that I could hurt Kirby, I also carry the fear he could hurt me. I could not be enough, which I suspect is why I have never put myself out there.

I go to agree with her just as my phone dings with a text. I pull it out of my back pocket to see the text is from Kirby. When I open it, it’s a picture of my Three Musketeers and Celeste on the beach.

As much as they get on my nerves, they’re good with Celeste. Hope you’re having fun. I can’t wait for you to get back.

My face breaks into a grin as Callie shakes her head. “Man, those dudes are hot.”

I nod. “That they are, my sweet girl. I really like D’Artagnan.”

She nods. “Owen is so, so, so hot. But Evan, man…he’s all silent and sexy.”

“Yeah, I like him a lot. They’re good kids.”

“Hot.”

“Yes, hot,” I agree as I shake my head at her. “Too bad Nico wouldn’t let you have fun.”

She shrugs. “Eh, I’m okay with it. He deals with enough, and when he’s passionate about something, it’s hard to get him off it.”

“I’ve noticed,” I deadpan as she looks up at me.

“He didn’t mean it to be ugly. He’s just truly concerned for Kirby,” she says protectively.

“I know,” I reply. “He just had me in my feelings.”