Defending Donovan (Face-Off Legacy/Campus Kings 6)

I pass beers to my dad, Uncle Tyler, and Uncle Jameson before taking a sip from the last bottle. Kicking my foot up on the ottoman, I lean back, sinking into the leather couch. Tucker is next to me, his arms crossed over his chest. Trent is on the other side glaring at him. A few weeks ago, the twins accidentally hooked up with the same girl.

For some whacky-ass reason, she couldn’t tell they were different people. I don’t know how she didn’t notice the subtle differences in their personalities. They don’t even wear their hair the same way.

Ever since their big blowout, they have barely spoken to each other. Their fight has affected our game on the ice as well. We lost the last few games because of their bullshit. Add for the fact they were benched for two games in a row because of another one of Tucker’s stunts, and they’re on a roll this year.

Preston is busy entertaining Bex and Coach Bryant. Jamie is nerding out with his dad about some video game. Trent and Tucker haven’t spoken more than a few words since they arrived. I’m over here checking my cell phone every ten minutes to see if Taylor has texted or called. I fucking miss her. The silence is killing me.

With most of my friends occupied with their own shit, and our fathers busting each other’s balls over bets they’ve taken on the game, my mind keeps wandering back to Taylor. I wonder if Bex has heard from her.

Two hours pass by with lots of yelling, bet-making, and booing before Aunt Charlotte calls us into the dining room for dinner. She didn’t actually cook any of it, though she’s the one who’s serving it. We sit in our usual places with JP the only person missing.

Preston’s older brother, John Parker, who everyone calls JP, called a few hours ago to say he would be a few hours behind. He works at DMG, the sports agency Preston’s mom now owns.

Uncle Alex makes some room for Coach Bryant on his side of the table. Bex is on Preston’s right in the middle of the table next to me. We dig into the food, and as usual, it’s good. My uncle really should consider teaching the women in this room how to cook. At least while we’re at school, we have Shannon to make us dinner. All of the guys love having her around the house, which also makes me wonder why she’s not here. Jamie better not have fucked that one up.

Bex and Aunt Charlotte talk about Philly Clean, the charity she’s run since before she started dating Uncle Alex. Philly Clean is a youth basketball event she sponsors and helps run every year. All of the money they raise funds the organization’s mission to help fight drug and alcohol addiction in the city. Some of the players from the Sixers teach kids ball handling and various other skills.

Bex’s eyes go wide when Aunt Charlotte asks her to help out this year. “Are you serious?”

From what Preston has told me, Bex is a major fan of his mom. Apart from Taylor, she’s definitely one of the coolest women I’ve ever met. They even have basketball in common. Ugh, I wish she were here right now. Why do I miss her so much? We’ve known each other for less than two months, and somehow I’ve grown so attached to her.

“Yeah. Uh… I would love to.” Bex smiles so wide her teeth are showing. “Thank you.”

All of us pitch in every year. Now that Bex is invited, maybe I can get Taylor to come with us. I hate feeling so uncertain about our relationship, but I do. It’s all so new that I’m afraid she’ll come to her senses and change her mind.

“I hear you’re a big Dante Fisher fan,” Aunt Charlotte says to Bex.

Bex smiles. “The biggest.”

“Bex has posters of him on her bedroom walls,” Coach Bryant says.

Bex turns beat red, shooting her dad a warning look down the table. “Dad, c’mon. Don’t embarrass me. Please.”

The table erupts into laughter.

“If you come, you’ll get to meet him.” Aunt Charlotte finishes chewing her food. “Dante, I mean. He’s helping out with the kids this year.”

Bex covers her mouth with her hand and squeals. “Shut. Up.” She fans herself with her hand. “Sorry, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t mean for you to shut up. I’m just… wow! Like I have no idea what to say. Dante is so—”

Aunt Charlotte waves her hand. “I know what you mean. No need to worry. Even after ten years of retirement, he’s still the same player I signed out of high school. He’s arrogant and a little much to take in all at once.” She points at Uncle Alex. “This one was the same way. Actually, all three of them were.”