Preston laughs.
An awkward pause passes between them before Bex says, “You stink, Parker. Go take a shower.”
“What about your dad?” I point out.
“Oh, right. We’re supposed to have dinner with my dad. I can’t. But I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Can I call you?”
She shakes her head. “No, I don’t like talking on the phone.”
While that’s true, what the hell is she doing?
He cocks an eyebrow at her. “Texts, then?”
Bex shrugs. “Umm…” She looks to me for confirmation.
Is she hoping I will give her a way out of talking to him? Hell, no. Bitch, you’re going on that date. She’s giving him her number. I know for a fact Bex likes him and is trying to dodge him because of her fear of intimacy.
“Yeah,” I say. “Text her later.”
Bex doesn’t look thrilled with me, while Preston is happy as a pig in shit.
He extends his hand to me. “We haven’t met. I’m Preston Parker. And you are?”
Oh, please. You know my name, Parker.
“Taylor Bradshaw.” I clear my throat and stand up straight. “Bex’s roommate.”
“You forgot teammate,” Bex says. “Taylor’s also my best friend.”
That I am. And what are friends for? Clearly, to force Bex to do what she wants, whether she will admit it to herself or not.
“Nice to meet you, Taylor.” He shoves the glove back on his hand. “Nice seeing you, Bex. I’ll text you later, okay?”
She nods.
After Preston leaves, she pushes her hip into mine. “Thanks, Tay. What the hell was that about? I can’t believe you sided with Preston.”
“I didn’t side with anyone. I was saving you from making a horrible mistake. You like Preston. Stop denying it.”
“He’s my dad’s favorite player.”
“That’s not the real issue here, and you know it. Preston isn’t Kellan. Give him a chance. You might be happy you did.”
“I guess you’re right.” She smiles, a real one this time. “But if I give Preston a chance, then you have to be nicer to Drake. He’s one of Preston’s best friends. They’re like brothers.”
I grunt in frustration. “Fine. I’ll be nice to the giant.” With a monster cock.
She chuckles, shaking her head at me.
I helped Bex with her dating life, and now, I should take charge of my own. But that would require me to step outside of my comfort zone, and that’s not something I’m ready to do just yet. At least not with Drake Donovan.
Chapter Three
Drake
After I find Jamie practically fucking a sorority girl on the counter, I take a seat at the table in the kitchen. Shannon’s been around a lot lately and offered to make us dinner. I guess she thinks Jamie’s going to date her. Not like any of us are interested in settling down while we’re in college. We still have our pro careers ahead of us.
This is the first time we’ve had a woman cook a meal for our entire house. I’m surprised most of the guys aren’t home for the occasion. Killian Kade, a right winger on our team, left a few minutes ago. He hung around for a while until he got a text and ran out the door. He’s one of the most secretive people I’ve ever met. Unlike my friends, who I grew up with, that share everything.
Tucker, with his big mouth, manages to fill the void with his usual jokes and stupid comments. He hasn’t stopped talking about Shannon’s ass or how much Jamie scored since he stepped into the kitchen. Tuck can be such an asshole to Jamie sometimes. Well, Tucker is a dick to most people, even though he doesn’t mean anything by it.
Tucker and Trent, who everyone on campus refers to as the Kane twins, sit next to me at the kitchen table. They’re identical in every way, from their height and build to the dimples in their cheeks. Tucker spikes his blond hair in the front, and Trent’s falls over his forehead. Their hair is the only real distinguishing factor, though I could tell them apart if their heads were shaved.
Our fathers are best friends and former teammates. Like Jamie and Preston, we’ve been close since birth. With the exception of Jamie, all of our father’s were professional hockey players. They played for the Philadelphia Flyers and even won the Stanley Cup together.
We learned how to skate almost as soon as we could walk. And we did it together. Then when we were old enough, we played hockey for the same team. Our parents made sure of it.
Every holiday, birthday, and vacation I’ve spent with Tucker, Trent, Preston, and Jamie. We’re like one big non-related family. But that’s also what makes us formidable opponents on the ice.
After Jamie and Shannon set the last of the bowls onto the table, we take turns digging into the food Shannon prepared. The scent of garlic and spices fills my nostrils. I take it all in, unable to remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.