Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
A few days before break
Aaron
We all head inside to a bar called Fair Shot. Apparently, the guys booked two lanes where we will be throwing some axes around. We divide up with Cade, Hayden, Ruby, and Briar on one lane; and me playing with Luc, Macklin, and Annie in the other.
The waiter comes around and we all order beer.
We start throwing some axes. It’s not really my cup of tea but we had to free up the house for Finn and Charlie to have their little fuckfest, so here I am.
Cade’s head whips around. “What the fuck?” he splutters. His odd reaction causes everyone to stop what they are doing and look at what Cade seems to be fixated on.
Oh shit.
Fucking Scarlett.
I told him to dump her ass a long time ago. Most of us like to get around with the girls on campus, but we are always up-front with our expectations. We’ve also been single for a long time except for our captain, Finn, who is in a committed relationship with Charlie. That’s why we are out with Charlie’s friends tonight because when the captain went and fell in love with her, he also became close with her best friends, bringing them into our little hockey family.
“Fuck, this is bad,” I mutter.
“Come.” Luc smacks my chest.
Hayden and Mack are already following Cade across the bar. Luc and I catch up quickly as Cade charges toward Scarlett. He stops next to where she is sitting on a stool at one of those high-top tables. Her blond hair covers her face. She doesn’t even notice Cade standing beside her with his arms crossed.
Shit, this is bad.
The girls follow us from behind. Ruby is Hayden’s younger sister and has been living in our house since her and Charlie’s dorm flooded. Her friend Briar stops by once and a while and she’s a complete smokeshow. She’s also tough as nails. Maybe that’s what has me intrigued.
I hear Annie whispering to her friends, asking them what they can do. What can any one of us do? Scarlett has been stringing Cade along for too long.
Scarlett must feel Cade hovering beside her because she stops kissing the guy and her eyes practically bulge out of her head.
“Honey, this is nothing. It was a dare.” She starts laughing hysterically.
Yup, she has a few loose marbles. She’s humiliated my friend. I want to give her a piece of my mind.
“I’m fucking done, Scarlett. This is bullshit. I don’t know how I’ve put up with your lies this long,” Cade bites out.
Scarlett stands and walks over to Cade. “Honey bunch.” She places her palm on his chest.
Fuck. He better not be hugging that.
“Take your fucking claws off me,” Cade barks. Bro is radiating anger and hurt.
I feel so bad for Cade, but what can I do? My hands ball into fists at my side as I feel helpless.
“Cade, there you are, babe.” Annie bypasses the guys and walks straight toward Cade. She places her hand on his chest. Scarlett stumbles back. Then Annie is moving in front of him. She leans in and starts kissing him.
My jaw drops. I look over to the girls, who seem to be just as surprised as me. Cade and Annie are full-on making out. Got to give Annie credit because the look on Scarlett’s face is priceless.
“What the hell is this, Cade?” Scarlett shrieks.
“Let’s get out of here, Calvin,” Scarlett sneers.
Scarlett walks off and my bro still has his tongue down Annie’s throat. I’m freaking happy for the dude. He’s put up with too much crap from Scarlett.
“Show’s over, she’s gone,” Macklin announces. Cade groans and continues kissing Annie. The guys all look at each other and shrug. We hear Annie moan and then she pulls away all blushing.
Cade licks his lips. “What was that?”
“You’re welcome.” She winks, pats his chest, and walks away back to the axe-throwing booth.
All of us are smiling because Cade looks like he’s on cloud nine instead of being devastated.
We ask Cade if he’s okay, but he seems to be more in shock than anything.
We all get back into our lanes and throw some axes. No one talks about the crazy situation, and Cade seems to be doing okay.
We all head out. We say bye to the girls. I notice Annie and Briar driving with Cade so none of us ask him for a ride. He clearly has some hot chemistry with Annie.
We head back to the house.
“That was so messed up,” Hayden says.
“Yeah, but at least Annie helped him save face,” I say.
“True,” Luc agrees. “Annie’s a bombshell. Briar is too.”
“Come on, guys. It’s bad enough Finn is with Ruby’s best friend now. I don’t need you guys drooling all over my sister’s friends,” Hayden complains.
“Sorry, bro,” Macklin says.
It’s weird he’s saying sorry, of all people, because I always get the vibe there is something going on between him and Ruby, but it’s not like I have any facts to back it up.
We make it home in time to hear the headboard banging against the wall. Yup, Finn and Charlie are still going at it. Damn, those two have it bad for each other. I want to find someone who really catches my attention but that hasn’t happened, so I stick with the hookups. My parents are so deeply in love with each other that it seems impossible to find what they have.
I head to my room and grab a towel. I go to take a shower and think of Briar with her wavy blond hair and tight little body. I can’t explain why she intrigues me, but she does. Hayden wouldn’t be happy if I pursued her, but my buddy is graduating this year—and until a girl really catches my attention—well, it would seem like a waste not to pursue her and see where it leads. I leave the shower and head to my room. I’ll need to check in with Cade and make sure he’s okay. He isn’t home yet. I’m hoping he’s still with Annie. I put on a pair of boxers and get into bed. This is the first year I’m not going to spend Christmas with my family. Dad is taking Mom on a crazy trip around the world since she was diagnosed with ALS recently. It’s a degenerative chronic medical condition. We don’t know how much time she has, but Dad wants to make every moment with her count. Mom wants to see me settled and happy. I wish I could give her that wish, but it’s easier said than done.