Page 65 of Play Maker

You’re acting ridiculous. Stop letting him get to you like this.

“In a bit,” Axel offered. “I’m sure it’s just getting started.”

“Are you trying to avoid your teammates? You can’t and you shouldn’t.”

“I know.”

“Are you still pissed about Coach’s decision?” I asked.

His hand stopped, but he didn’t let go.

“I’m not pissed,” he grimaced. “Okay, I’m pissed. And frustrated. I came to Sutton with something to prove and now?—”

“Prove what?”

He bit his lower lip. “That I can make it on my own. That I’m good enough to leave my old life behind. That I’m not second best in hockey, or anything else.”

“You’re not second best.”

“I know that, somewhere, in here,” he tapped his heart. “But in my head, I’m still struggling. I was never great at school, and my parents didn’t shy away from making it known that I was a disappointment.”

Axel shook his head. “Like they should talk. My family’s fucked up. And I hate Redgewick. Couldn’t wait to leave. And I’m never going back.”

“Fucked up? How?”

Axel sighed and rolled to his back.

“Let’s see, my dad works eighty plus hours a week and then parties the rest of it, my mom is ruthless and fucks anyone and everyone in some twisted game to get my father’s attention, and oh yeah, my brother has a pill and gambling addiction, and he despises me.”

“Whoa, that’s a lot,” I replied, dropping a comforting kiss on his shoulder.

What was I doing?Stop it right now.

“Why does your brother hate you?” I asked.

Axel turned his head and stared at me. “I can’t believe I’m telling you all this.”

“You can’t resist me. No one can.”

He rolled his eyes.

“There’s that huge ego of yours.”

“Well, I am the highest scorer on the team.”

“I’m catching up,” he bit out.

“Catch me if you can,” I teased him. “Now tell me. I swear I can keep a secret.”

“Really?”

“Who am I gonna tell?”

“Dane, Ethan, Kayden, Colin, Finn, Silas, Sean?—”

“I’m not going to tell anyone.” I made a zipping motion over my lips. “I swear.”

“Swear on the cup.”

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