Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies 3)

“Gotta ask for her phone number first,” he supplies and I glare.

“Fuck off,” I say just as my phone goes off with a text, and his laughter fills the room. Seeing that it’s from my dad, my grin disappears while I click his name and read the text.

Dad: I deposited that money in your account.

Me: Awesome, thanx.

Dad: 5k should last you a good bit, but if you need more, ask. Also I put an extra k in there for that stick and skates you need.

Me: Wow, thanks, Dad.

Dad: np. I see it as an investment in your future. Did it for your brothers and look at them.

With no help from him. Well, except for money, but he wasn’t supportive. More like an asshole. Without the coaches we had growing up, we might have not gotten to where we are. Oh, and my mom. She was awesome. Always the best at pushing us to greatness. I love my mom. Maybe I should call her. Before I can, my phone dings with another text.

Dad: Hoping you can join me and Ellen for dinner this week?

Shit. No way in hell do I want to go to dinner with him and his whore.

Me: Hey, thanks. I’ll have to get back to you. Classes are kicking my ass and I have to train hard since the season is starting.

Dad: Sure. Just let me know. When is the first game?

Damn it. Jude and Jayden are supposed to come to my first game, and of course, my mom and Lucy. I’ll get so much shit if they know I invited him, but what am I supposed to do? He just gave me money.

“Fuck.”

“What?” Markus asks as I look up to find him staring at me, confused. I tell him my situation and he shakes his head. “Yo, Jude and Jayden told you to cut it off with him.”

“He’s my dad, Markus.”

“Yeah, but he’s a douche, and you know it. You just like the money he throws at you.”

“Who wouldn’t?”

“Hey, I’m not hating. I’m just saying if you want to play with fire, be prepared to burn. ’Cause if he does come, your brothers are gonna murder you and your mom is gonna be crushed.”

“Yeah.” I look back down at my phone.

Me: Mom, Jude, Jayden, and Lucy will be there.

I don’t have to wait long for his response.

Dad: Okay? You’re my son. If I want to watch you play, I can.

After I read the text to Markus, he shakes his head in disgust. “Just ignore him.”

When my phone signals another text, I glance down at my phone to see it’s him again.

Dad: If I run into them, I’ll say that Ralph invited me.

Well, that solves my issue. They wouldn’t question his friend, who is also my agent, inviting him. But when I tell this to Markus, he doesn’t look convinced.

“Sure, that covers your ass. But do you want your mom to be upset?”

“No,” I say almost immediately. “But you know, he probably won’t make it.”

But Markus rolls his eyes, leaning back in his bed as I look back down at my phone. “You do you, homie, but I think it’s a bad idea.”