End Game (Bellevue Bullies 4)

Chapter Thirteen

Ryan

Standingoutside the Starbucks on campus where my sister is, I hold the phone to my face as my mom asks, “How’d the meeting go with Assassins’ trainers?”

“Great,” I say as I gaze into the window of the coffee shop. Like Moon had told me, Amelia is there with Sofia. They look comfortable, books all on the table as they look at Amelia’s laptop. I try to look away, but it’s hard. Unlike this morning, Sofia is dressed in a pair of black athletic pants that hug her sexy, curvy legs, along with a teal Bellevue sweatshirt that swallows her up whole.

Exactly the way I want to.

Her hair is up in a messy bun, and I’m curious how she looks with her hair down. Does she have ringlets like Shelli used to when she was younger, or is her hair wavy? I desperately want to know. I also want to run my fingers through her hair, get them caught. But first, I gotta get her to go out with me.

“More details, please.”

Shit. “Sorry, Mom, distracted.” I force myself to look away. “It went awesome. I was able to schedule my time with them after my short classes during the week. And I get to be in the player hall during three games a month, my choice which games since my schedule is so full.”

“Well, that’s wonderful!”

“It is. DJ is super cool. I thought he might be a dick since Elli is kinda forcing them to let me do this—”

“She is not,” Mom insists. “Shea asked.”

“Oh, so it’s a favor.”

“Maybe, but no one is forcing them.”

Fine. “Okay, either way, I’m excited.”

“You should be. That’s just wonderful, honey.”

“I thought so,” I say, turning to look back in the Starbucks. For some reason, I’m worried the girls will pick up and leave. I can’t have that happen, not until after I speak to them. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Why?”

“Just asking.”

“Everything is fine,” she says simply, and I hope she isn’t lying. My dad’s anniversary is in a few days. We usually don’t talk about it much. “How’s Amelia doing? She tells me she’s fine, but that girl worries me to death.”

“Well, she’s quite popular with the guys,” I say dryly, and she laughs.

“Of course she is. She’s beautiful.”

“Which is going to put me in jail.”

She laughs. “Let her have some fun.”

“Eh, I don’t trust anyone with her.”

“Honey, you can’t do that. It’s going to put a strain on you guys’ relationship. Let her have fun. She has never stood in the way of you having fun.”

If only Mom could see my face. “Actually, she has, and I might kill her for it.”

“Please don’t. I do love her so.” I can hear the grin in her voice. “But what did she do?”

“She had a chance to talk me up to a friend of hers, and she didn’t do it. Then she went and told the girl that I don’t do relationships.”

Mom pauses. “But you don’t, do you?”

“No, because I haven’t had a chance to, but that’s beside the point.”

“Haven’t had a chance to? I’m pretty sure Robin would beg to differ, as would that one girl, um… Shoot, what was her name? Silva! She was head over heels in love with you. At my house daily, hanging out with me to get to you.”

“Sure,” I say. “But I didn’t feel the same.”

“But you felt enough of something to go to bed with them.”

I shrug. “Well, duh.”

Her laughter fills the phone. “Lord. You remind me so much of myself, it’s pathetic. Your dad was in love with me the moment he met me. Meanwhile, I was just wanting to have some fun.”

Gag. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Anytime, and I have so many more stories that I’ll keep to myself if you don’t kill your sister.”

I think that over. “Fine.”

“And leave her be.”

“No.”

“Ryan.”

“What?”

“Let her have her fun. She’s worked so hard for years, and she’s getting over Drew. Give her some space.”

She’s right, but still. “My teammates know she’s off-limits.”

Mom groans. “Well, that’s unfair. You know she has a thing for hockey players.”

“Exactly. She’ll have to find someone else. Hopefully, an English lit nerd who won’t force her to go to bed with him.”

Mom giggles. “You’re horrible. And, please, no one forces that girl to do anything.”

She isn’t wrong. “I love her, and it’s my job to protect her.”

“Ryan James, she is a strong girl.”

I bite my lip. As right as my mom is, I don’t want to accept that. Plus, I’m pretty sure my dad would be on my side. I know Shea would be, but I don’t want to argue with her. “Fine.”

“Good,” she says on a sigh. “Oh, do you have anything going on Wednesday night?”

“No.”

“Can you come help lift a massive swan at this event I have? Maybe bring some of the guys? I’ll buy pizzas and ice cream.”

“We love food.”

“So that’s a yes?”