Pucking Parker (Face-Off Legacy/Campus Kings 1)

“Pretty much. My mom left so many years ago I can’t even remember what it’s like to have her around. Not like I would want her there anymore. But I did when I was younger. My parents are both only children, and so am I, so I never had aunts or uncles around. Grams passed away a few years ago. She would come over and help me cook, until she got too sick to stand in the kitchen.”

“I’m glad you’re spending the day with us.” I cup her knee with my hand. “My family is big. You are warned. They will ask you tons of questions, probably hug the shit out of you. There might even be some kissing from my aunts who will die when they see you.”

“This is really that big of a deal for you? You never had a girlfriend in high school?”

“No. Just girls I hung out with. Nothing serious. Hockey has always been my number one priority. Every coach I ever had told me to focus on being the best and not to worry about settling down with a girl. My parents reinforced that, drilled it into my head.”

“I can see that,” she mutters. “Your schedule is so hectic. It doesn’t leave much time to date.”

“If anyone gets it, you do. That’s why this works so well with us.”

“Yeah,” she agrees. “It does make it easier that we have similar practice and game schedules. I wish I could see more of your games.”

“I’m coming to your game against Villanova. We don’t have a game that weekend, and of course, my mom is going since that’s her alma mater.”

“Don’t go making me nervous.” She bites her lip. “So, your whole family will be at my game?”

“Pretty much.” I pat her arm to soothe her concerns. “No pressure.”

She laughs. “Yeah, none at all.”

My parents’ living room is packed to the brim with family. The scent of turkey wafts through the air. All the men are on the couches, drinking beer and yelling at the football game taking place on TV. This is normal for Thanksgiving.

Even though my mom doesn’t cook, she’s in the kitchen. Aunt Sydney and her daughter, Chloe—Drake’s mom and sister—sit on stools next to Aunt Kennedy and her daughter, Ava—the Kane twins’ mom and older sister. Between the four families in this house, our parents have twelve children. None of them are related to me by blood. But they’re still my family, the only one I’ve ever known.

I introduce Bex and Coach Bryant to everyone, and they look overwhelmed, as if they need to remember all of their names. It’s a lot for anyone to take in.

Coach Bryant squeezes my shoulder. “Thanks for inviting us, Preston. This is a nice change of pace for us. Bex hasn’t had a home cooked meal in a long time.”

“Yeah, this is nice,” Bex says. “Thanks for having us.”

She’s pretending as if we’re friends and that my mom invited her for dinner. But keeping my shit together, without spilling the beans, is not easy. I almost slipped three times since they got here.

Coach Bryant scans the room and then locks onto me. “Where’s your brother?”

“JP had a client emergency to deal with. He won’t be here until dinnertime.”

“I would hate to work on a holiday,” Coach says.

I shrug. “Missed holidays are normal in this family. My parents were on the road a fair amount when I was a kid.”

“That must have been tough on you and your brother.”

I shrug. “Not really. My aunts and Uncle Jameson were always around when my parents were out of town. We made it work.”

“That’s what makes our team so special.” He smiles. “You guys play like a family on the ice. I have a good feeling about this year.”

I return his smile. “I do, too. I want to end this season on a good note, make it easier for the NHL to draft me.”

“I have no doubt you’ll make it,” he assures me. “You’re just like your dad.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

I feel horrible for dating Bex behind his back. But staying away from her wasn’t an option. She stole fragments of my heart, taking pieces over time, collecting them until all of it belonged to her. Now, she has the power to break it.

There’s only one thing in our way, one thing keeping us from being truly happy. I have to get the balls to tell Coach Bryant about us. Now, if only I can find the courage to do that.

Hours pass by, with lots of drunken yelling and football bets being taken, before Mom calls us into the dining room for dinner. We sit in our usual places, saving the spot next to my dad for JP. Normally, I would sit next to my mom, except holidays are different. My aunts gab about girly crap with my mom, and I hang out with Jamie, Drake, Tucker, and Trent. Since we’re all the same age, we tend to stick together.