Page 5 of Pucking Stepbrother

“You’re out on your own.” She doesn’t even blink spitting those words at me.

Honestly, what did I expect from her? She left me behind all those years ago that throwing me out on the streets now wouldn’t even phase her. Deep down I know I have no choice here. It’s either suffer and go to this college she’s picked for me or starve on the streets. I just need to get through the next fewdays, weeks at most until I get my shit sorted, and then I can leave this bright hell hole and forge my own path.

“Fine,” I grumble like a child. “Don’t you want to ask why I’m here?”

She smiles at me. “You’ll tell me when you’re good and ready. I don’t want to push things now that I have you here. I want us to be friends.” Her hand reaches out to touch my arm but stops mid-reach before realizing what she’s doing. “I know this will be hard for both of us, navigating this new and raw relationship. I want you to know I support you in anything you need. I’m here for you even though I know it’s hard for you to trust me.” She sighs before placing her mug in the dishwasher.

Drinking my coffee and wallowing in self-pity at the thought of going to some pretentious college where I know I won’t fit in; I think back on the last few days and wonder how my little sister is doing. The last thing I wanted to do was leave her behind with those poor excuses for parents.

“The college and frat details are on the desk in your room. I’m guessing you’ll be driving your car today?” She interrupts my thoughts.

“I’ll drive myself.”

“There’s some cash for gas and lunch on the table in your room. Let me know if you need more. I have to go to work, but I’ll see you tonight for dinner if you want to come back here.” She stands awkwardly next to the counter for a moment before she turns and leaves me alone in the kitchen before I can say no thanks to the dinner invitation.

Chapter Four

Nate

The college is easy enough to find, and as I drive through the fifteen- foot wrought iron front gates with the university crest in the center of the arch, it becomes apparent that everything in this town is pretentious. I ease my Dodge along the cobblestone drive up to the student parking and find a spot next to a brand-new dark purple Range Rover. Talk about opposites. After killing the engine, the deafening silence has me on edge. All I want to do is turn the car back on and drive the hell out of here, but I have nowhere else to go.

My hands grip the steering wheel, and it pulls at the dried cuts along my knuckles. Thoughts of my little sister circle through my head and knowing she’s safe for a while makes me less anxious, but I know that fucker will be back out soon, watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike again. Sucking air deep into my lungs, I grab my phone and climb out of the car. A few days, I think to myself. Only a few days of this charade until I can get the fuck out of here.

Making my way to the main office building, I walk past the row of deep purple Range Rovers and wonder if there was a good deal on this color at the dealership. Climbing the stairs, the door to the office swings open as a faculty member exits and I grab it before it closes. I let the door slam shut behind me, and the receptionist looks up disapprovingly over her glasses. Her scrutinizing glare makes my anger spark as her gaze brushes over my exposed tattoos.

“Young man, we enter and exit buildings with some manners in this establishment,” she scoffs. “Now, how can I help you?” She pushes her glasses back up her nose and stares at me.

“I need my schedule.”

“A please will get you far in life. Your name?” Standing up out of her leather chair, she disappears out the back of the office.

“Nate Huntington.”

Returning with papers and a tote bag with the school emblem on it, she hands them to me over the desk. “Here you go, young man. Your login information, campus rules and a map are in here as well. Attend the Great Hall for orientation and enjoy your first day.” She dismisses me.

With the papers in hand, I head back outside, to start this shit show of a day. Glancing at the map, I work out which way to head for orientation and make my way there. Thoughts of just walking straight back out to my car and taking off again cross my mind, but I need to do this for my sister. I need to get it together, so I have a stable home for her to move into.

The Great Hall is a fucking gothic style church looking building with its ominous towers and slate gray stone façade. Did the college pluck this from the hills of Romania and deposit it here? Raising my eyebrows and craning my neck as I walk through the ten-foot-tall wooden double doors, the space opens into a stunning architectural masterpiece. Carved pillars reach into arched windows decorated with stained glass. The darkpolished floorboards gleam under the wrought iron candelabras and the soft glow of the lighting makes this place seem ethereal with a dark undertone. I know bad shit goes on in here, I can feel it crawling under my skin, scratching at me to let it in.

Students are already seated in the rows of pews, and I silently sit myself down in the very back row next to some random.

“Hey, fucking dope looking tatts, man.” The guy next to me speaks in a hushed tone, admiring my ink.

I glance at him. “Thanks. I’m Nate.”

“I’m Parker. Welcome to this hell hole, where the ice hockey freaks are gods and the rest of us are mere mortals.” He straightens up when the Dean clears his throat into the microphone.

The speech is short and sweet seeing as we’re all late comers. The dean drones on about the rules a little too much for my liking, this place seems stricter than the high school I just graduated from. I didn’t fit in there and I sure as hell know I won’t fit in here with all these regulations.

“See you around.” Parker nods before he stalks out of the hall.

“See ya.” I smile in return before I too head back outside.

Studying the map, I notice the sports stadiums are not far and my interest piques after Parker mentioned ice hockey. As I make my way down the long winding path, memories of being on the ice come crashing into me, making me pause for a moment. Heading further along, I’m convinced I’m lost when I turn the corner and there, a few yards in front of me, sits Sable Arena ice hockey rink. The not so subtle Sable Lakes Kings with the signature crown logo sits smack bang center and nearly takes up the whole top half of the building. This arena is a monster compared to what I’m used to back home.

Stalking forward with apprehension, I know I need to stay the fuck away from the ice, but it’s like my legs have taken ona mind of their own when I find myself entering the glass doors into the foyer. My mouth pops open at the sheer grandeur of this arena, with its massive screens overhanging the rink and the grandstand of purple and yellow seats. The foyer is filled with endless cabinets of trophies and photographs of past players and teams. The deep purple stains everything in this place, from the carpet to the signs for the restrooms.

Making my way down the ramp and toward the ice, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. A feeling I haven’t felt in a fucking long time. I lean against the glass and watch the team doing drills as their coach shouts at them from the center. I’m mesmerized by the fluid movements and am lost in my own thoughts when a player slams into the glass where I’m standing. The shock of it pulls me from my memories as I stare down at him letting whoever this fucker is know that his stupid stunt didn’t affect me in the slightest.

---