Chapter 3
THREE
ISLA
EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
“I can’t believe my baby is already a sophomore in college,” my mom says, looking at my dad with a pouty expression. “I’m old. We’re old.”
I don’t even need my dad to answer to know what he’s going to do or say. And just like I could have predicted, he pulls her against him, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
“We are not. And Addy, you’re still the hottest chick I know.”
My mom, Addison, giggles with flushed cheeks, and I roll my eyes, even though it doesn’t bother me. They’ve been like this for most of my life, and it beats the alternative of them hating each other, like so many of my friends’ parents do.
“Ew, stop.”
I turn around before he lays a big kiss on her because even though I’m used to it, it’s still kind of gross to watch them kiss.
I look up at the house that is known as The Nest—a huge home that’s practically a mansion. It looks a bit run-down with its chipped paint and crooked stairs, but the beautiful lawn and porch help its appearance for sure.
This house is a bit unconventional compared to the house I lived in while at my previous college.
Instead of just holding hockey players inside, it houses some of NE University’s best female athletes from all different sports.
Which is good because my friend Haven is on the softball team and will be staying here too.
Four or five houses down, a bunch of guys act like morons on the lawn in front of one of the male versions of The Nest, called The Tower, and next to that house is another filled with jocks, called The Lookout.
Instantly, my dad eyes them over, narrowing his gaze.
“Not gonna lie, I. I don’t love that the female athletes’ house is on the same fucking street as the male ones.
” He shakes his head, watching them as they continue to goof off.
“Fucking idiots,” he scoffs. “Don’t get caught up in that, okay?
” He looks at me. “You have to be careful of college athletes. Some of them are only looking for one thing.”
My mom nudges me, giggling. “Trust me, your dad would know.” She pats his shoulder. “You know, babe, she is twenty years old now. Do you remember what you were doing when you were twenty and a sophomore in college?”
His face visibly pales, and he swallows, giving The Tower one last look. “Don’t remind me,” he utters, turning toward my new home. “All right, kiddo, let’s get you inside.” His voice drops lower. “Before I change my mind and decide to buy a house across the street or something.”
As we make our way up the sidewalk and onto the porch, my mom puts her arm around him and whispers something quietly. I’m sure it’s just her way of reassuring him that I’ll be fine. He acts as if we didn’t do this same thing last year at a college in Boston.
I loved it there, but when budgets got cut … so did the women’s hockey team. It wasn’t the best team to begin with, but it let me stay close to home and still play the game I loved.
I follow my parents into the house, and just like I knew they would, all of my new roommates instantly begin fangirling over my dad.
Maybe I should find it annoying, but the truth is, Cam Hardy is one of the greatest players of all time, and he’s a pretty awesome human too. He deserves all the praise he gets.
I just hope he won’t actually buy a house across the street just to keep an eye on me …
“So, what’re the vibes in this place?” I ask my friend, Haven King, now that my parents are gone. “You’ve been here for a few days now. Everyone seem nice?”
She relaxes on my bed, propping her hands under her chin. “It’s eight bitches living in one house,” she deadpans. “Obviously, not everyone is going to be a ray of sunshine like you, babe.” When she sees my eyes widen, she giggles. “Calm your tits. For the most part, yes, everyone’s okay.”
Haven’s parents both went to New England University, and that’s where they met. Her dad, Mason, played many years in the NFL before he retired. So, she understands what it’s like when everyone just assumes she’s had everything given to her simply because of who her father is.
“Good.” I sigh in relief. “I’m not saying we all need to braid each other’s hair or anything, but at the very least, I’d like to get along with everyone who lives here.”
“Knock, knock,” a voice says from the door before a beautiful girl—who looks like she’s quite literally made of pure muscle with long, gorgeous red hair and bright green eyes—walks in. She smiles, revealing the deepest set of dimples, and I think I may have just gotten my first girl crush.
“I’m Harland, but everyone calls me Harley,” she says, waving to me before darting her eyes at Haven. “Wasn’t sure if Shortstop here was going to introduce us or not.”
I push myself to stand and hold my hand out. Looking at the front of her shirt, I notice the NEU softball logo on it.
“I’m Isla.” I smile. “Softball player, I take it?”
Before she can answer, Haven does it for her. “Little Miss Harley here is our catcher.”
Dropping my hand down once she shakes it, I give her an impressed look. “Catcher, huh? That’s awesome. That’s got to be one of the toughest positions on the field.”
“Nah, it’s not bad,” she answers, looking around at my half-unpacked room. “I was going to ask you two if you wanted to go grab something to eat. But it looks like you’re a little preoccupied.”
Haven’s ass is off the bed and walking toward her before I can even form a thought. “I’m freaking starving.”
I sweep my eyes over my mess of a room, cringing. I know I should put everything away. After all, I have practice in the morning. But when my stomach grumbles, I shrug. “All right. What the hell? I’ll finish this crap later. Food sounds better.”
“Hell yeah!” Harley cheers, throwing her arm around both Haven and me. “We’re gonna be besties. You’ll see.”
Smiling, I sigh in relief. As much as I liked parts of my previous school, I didn’t exactly make a strong group of friends there. It’s only my first day at NEU, and things are already looking better than they did in Boston.
Let’s hope things on the ice go well tomorrow too …