“Cold day in hell,” I wheeze back, trying to find some gas to catch up with him.

Turning and jogging backward, I scowl even more as he says, “You know, you should be nicer to the guys.”

Raising an eyebrow, I say, “I am nice.”

He laughs. “Says the black widow before she kills you.”

Ignoring that, I say, “I’m not here to make friends.”

“You should try. Being a pariah will do nothing but hurt you in the end. We are family here, and right now you’re like a distant cousin who thinks she is too good for us.”

I shrug. “Again, not here to make friends. Here to play hockey and get—”

“Into the NHL, yeah, heard that and completely believe in you. But when you’re there, do you think you’ll make friends? Because if you’re as prickly as you are now, you won’t.”

Prickly? I’m not fucking prickly!

Frowning angrily at him, I say, “If I’m so damn prickly, then why do you keep talking to me?”

He smiles, his hands coming up and lacing together behind his head. His abs all constrict in, his biceps large as the veins in his arms start to show. Sweat is dripping down his chest, his skin is splotchy, and still I think he is the hottest thing since cornbread. “See, the thing is, I knew you before you decided you hated life, and I like that girl I knew. Maybe I’m hoping she’ll come back.”

“You never knew me.”

He laughs. “Sure, I didn’t.”

“You didn’t,” I say again childishly, and he nods his head.

“Whatever helps you sleep, princess,” he says before righting himself and running with his back to me. He then calls out, “You can admit something to me later tonight, at the party.”

“I’m not going,” I say, and then I stick my tongue out. Because that’s what classy, non-immature girls do to the guys who piss them off.

“Yeah, you are.”

“Excuse me?”

“Since it promotes our team building, I know you’ll go because I’m going. And we both know you don’t want me to have one up on you, eh?”

Sending me one last grin, he takes off and I’m left speechless.

Again.

Because he’s right.

And damn it, it’s driving me insane!

Stepping inside the room that will be mine in the Bullies house, I hit answer on my phone.

“Hey, Ma. What’s up?”

“Hey, honey. I know y’all’s party just started, but I need a favor.”

Sitting on my bed, I turn the volume up on my phone. The party did just start, and it’s already hopping. The music is blaring and people are filing in. It’s awesome to be with my boys, living it up the way I have for the last two years. I can always be sure to let loose at these kind of parties. It’s just me and my boys. It’s gonna be a great night.

But first, I gotta see what my momma needs.

“Sure, what’s up?”

She hesitates, and my heart sinks; I know this isn’t going to be good. “So Jude sent the money for the taxes on the house, but I gave him the wrong amount. With the wedding and all, I really don’t want to ask for more. Can I take it from your account? I’ll pay you back. I promise.”

Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sure, how much?”

“Four hundred.”

“Yeah, that’s fine, and don’t worry about paying me back,” I say before opening my eyes. “Once I sign my contract, that will be chump change. No worries, I’ll make sure everything is paid off then.”

“No,” she says quickly. “I’ll pay you back, and you know it’s not your job to take care of me.”

I scoff. “Yeah, but I will.”

“Jayden Mitchell, you know I hate asking you. Don’t make this hard.”

“I’m not trying to. I’m just telling you that it’s not a big deal. Take what you need; that’s why I’m here.”

“You’re not supposed to be though,” she says sadly, and I’m not sure what she wants here.

“Okay? What do you want me to say?”

Letting out an annoyed breath, she says, “I don’t know, honey. I’m sorry. I just hate asking you boys for anything.”

“It’s fine, Mom. You’ve always taken care of us.”

“I know, but I just hate it. I feel so helpless. I don’t know what I’d do without you kids. I just wish this divorce was over, and I could get my money.”

Shaking my head, I stand, reaching for the door handle. It’s time to get off the phone because I am not going to talk about my dad and their divorce. “Yeah, okay, well I’ll talk to you later.”

“All right. Thank you, honey,” she says and I smile.

“Sure, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you.”

I open the door just as I hit end, and when I look up, Jace is there. “What happened? Mom okay?”

I nod. “Yeah, she needed some money for the house taxes.”

“I thought Jude took care of those,” he says, perplexed, and I nod.

“She told him the wrong amount.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“No,” I say with a shake of my head. “I had the money.”

“Oh, okay. Maybe call Dad for it?”

I scoff. “I’d rather put my dick in a meat grinder.” He makes a painful grimace as I laugh, smacking him on the back. “Come on, bro. Let’s go party.”

I put my arm across his shoulders as we walk together up the stairs to the kitchen where everyone is hanging out. There is a broomball game going on in the dining room, beer pong in the kitchen, and dancing in the living room. Outside, we have a fire going and people are everywhere. The Bullies throw the best parties and everyone shows up. Tonight is no different. With the last day of camp Monday, we plan to live it up. And man, looking around, the girls couldn’t get hotter.

But I’m only looking for one.

“I’m so getting laid tonight,” Jace says, pumping his fist in the air. Often, I think he belongs in an episode of Jersey Shore. He’s a total meathead sometimes, but then other times, he’s a kid. A good kid, my kid brother.

“Wrap it up,” I remind him, and he nods.

“For sure.”