End Game_Bellevue Bullies Series Read online

  “I am, but I feel like nothing is ever going to happen.”

  “And it could not. You were the one who didn’t want to go into the EHL when you had your chance.”

  “Because then I’d be playing for shit money with no one looking at me. I’m better here. And also, if I’m in the EHL, I won’t have time for the education I want.”

  He holds his hands out to me. “Exactly, Ryan, you made that choice. And I agree, you’re too good for the EHL. But, bud, people are looking at you.”

  “I don’t think they are.”

  “They are. Listen, I think you are made for the NHL. Thank God you took after me and not your dad in the hockey department.” He says it with a wink. Though, I don’t smile, much to his dismay. It was always a joke that my dad didn’t know a lick about hockey, but he was a big fan. Mostly because of me. “But, bud, if it doesn’t happen, then it doesn’t. But you have to remember to work hard so that, no matter what, you know you gave it your all.”

  I get what he is saying and I appreciate it, but damn it, I hate his words. “I want it to happen.”

  Shea takes my shoulders in his hands. “Bud, I want that too. You have to be patient.”

  I nod. “I just want to make everyone proud.”

  His face softens. “Oh, Ryan, come on. We are all so proud of you.”

  I hate feeling like this, and I know I shouldn’t. I’m working my ass off, but something just feels off. I’m not confident that I’ll go in like I should be. Like Shea wants me to be. “Will you be mad if I don’t make it?”

  “No, but I honestly feel you will.”

  “Don’t tell my mom I asked that.”

  He squeezed my shoulders. “Well, seeing as how she bitched at me to talk to you since Amelia was worried, which worried her, I’m gonna tell her I talked to you and you’re fine.”

  Fucking Amelia.

  “I’m gonna kill that sister of mine.”

  “Yeah, I wanted to too since we all know how hard these next couple of months are for your mom.”

  My heart drops into my gut. “I know,” I agree. Amelia knows too. I don’t get why she called Mom. I’m fine. Just a little defeated lately. Nothing I can’t get over.

  “But then again, you know how those two are. The best of friends, they worry.”

  “They don’t need to. I got this.”

  “You do, bud. You do,” he insists, and I nod slowly.

  “Thanks.”

  He squeezes my shoulders once more. “Anytime. And listen, you have options. If this isn’t really what you want—”

  I narrow my eyes, cutting him off. “Who said it isn’t what I want?”

  His eyes search mine, and he looks as if he is trying to choose his words carefully. “I’m just saying that if at any time this isn’t fun, maybe it’s not what you want.”

  What the hell? I’m upset by one thing, and hockey’s not fun anymore? That’s bullshit. “It is fun.”

  He doesn’t seem convinced, but it is. I love hockey. I love everything about it. I love the rush, the fast pace, and the camaraderie. I love it. I do. Yeah, I don’t like the pressure from Coach or even the way he talks to me sometimes, but I can learn to deal. “For real, Shea. I love it. I want this as my career.”

  “And I support you, bud.”

  Our gazes stay locked, mainly because I don’t believe he thinks I love it. I do. This is what I’ve wanted since I was a kid. Before I can say anything, though, my mom snakes her arm around my waist. “This looks intense.”

  Shea looks to his sister. “No, we’re just talking.”

  “Yeah.”

  Her gaze turns to me and then back to Shea. “You two look upset.”

  “We’re fine,” I say then, wrapping my arm around her. “I just need to let things go.”

  “You do. You have a tendency to dwell.”

  I know this, and let’s be honest, I learned from the best. Mom dwells like no other. So does Shea. Hell, my whole family does. Whenever something goes wrong, everyone is on high alert. And they don’t stop thinking about it.

  “I’m good. Let’s go watch Amelia kick some ass.”

  My mom grins, and Shea does too before he says, “I heard she’s pissed she isn’t doing bars.”

  Mom shrugs. “Yeah, but she’ll get there. Sucks though, that she won’t be up for all-around since her beam is a hot-ass mess.”

  I nod. “She’s been sucking on beam for a while now.”

  “Well, you try flipping on a four-inch-wide surface and see how you do,” Elli says when she falls into step with us. “She’ll get there. That girl is determined as hell. As are all our babies.” She then looks at me. “Especially this one.” When she messes up my hair, brown tendrils falling in my eyes, I laugh as I pull away to fix it.

  “Thanks, Elli.”

  “Of course. How’s school?”

  I nod, a grin on my face. I’m still a little bothered by what Shea said, but then, it’s hard not to smile when I’m asked about school. “Great. I aced my test yesterday, and I’m still rocking that 4.0.”

  She beams. “That’s my baby.” Mom kisses my temple, and Shea beams.

  “And I’m still good to intern for the Assassins? You talked to the athletic team, they’re okay?”

  Elli nods with a wink. “Of course. It’s one of the perks of having your aunt as the owner and having stellar grades. DJ was impressed when I showed him your transcript.”

  I smile. “Thanks. We all know I have the best aunt ever.”

  “Suck-up,” Shea teases, and I grin.

  “Everyone is jealous, and my teacher is geeking out. Think I can snag some tickets for my class?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Butters me up before asking for more. These kids. Always wanting something.”

  We all laugh together as Posey and Shelli meet us at the door. Posey points to the top of the bleachers where the boys have set up camp. “The boys got us a spot.”

  “Fantastic. Let’s go watch our girl kick ass!” Mom cheers, and I smile as she wraps her arms around Shelli and Posey, walking with them.

  Unlike the rest of my family, who are all wearing matching “We
  What can I say? The Justices and Adlers go all out.

  Sitting next to Shelli and my mom, I look out at the gym that has been converted into one awesome-looking gymnastics meet. The floor is bright teal with black trim, and the logo of the GymBulls mascot is in the middle of it. Unlike our logo that’s a badass bull with hockey sticks, theirs is the bull with sparkles at the corners of its eyes, but it still looks pretty damn amazing. Excitement builds inside of me at the thought of seeing Amelia out there.

  Growing up, there wasn’t a weekend where we weren’t at the rink or the gym. Of course, Mom and Dad had to split up and get us where we needed to be, but there was never an issue. Both of them were always there for us. Totally hands-on even with their big careers. Usually, Dad took me, and those were some of the best weekends. We did “man stuff,” as he called it, which basically meant we watched hockey and ate junk food since Mom wasn’t around to make us eat healthy.

  When I had the weekend off though, and it was Amelia’s time to shine, being with both my parents watching my sister kick ass was by far the best. Even though we had to eat healthy shit, I loved watching my mom and dad gush over Amelia. Some siblings would be jealous, but I have always been proud to call Amelia my sister. She is talented and damn good. Don’t get me wrong, we fight, but in the end, we have each other’s backs.

  When Shelli holds out her phone, I put on a bright smile as she snaps a picture of us. “For my Snapchat.”

  “No, really?” I laugh, and she flashes me a bright grin. Shelli looks just like Elli, but with Shea’s eyes. Some would say she favors her dad, but I think Posey is more her dad than