Page 97 of No Pucks

“I know they say admitting is the first step, but I think this is a step backward.”

“At least backward comes with great dick.”

Evander lets out the most exaggerated sigh. “I hate myself for saying this, but don’t you mean cums?”

“You said it, not me.” I pick up my phone, checking the time. “What’s your plan for the night?”

“I don’t know. I have to keep hiding from Dad.”

I scratch my cheek, thinking. “I have dinner plans and can’t text Anthony for obvious reasons, but you’re welcome to come if you want.”

“This isn’t some way to add me to your creepy Dad’s enemy revenge is it? Because I’m not into older guys.”

“You’re a minor, gross, and I’m not sharing.”

“The age of consent in New York is seventeen.”

“Still no.” I shove to my feet, my ass sore as fuck and not in the fun way. “Are you coming?”

“Why hasn’t Anthony gotten a burner?”

“Huh?” I ask.

“A fucking burner phone? Like I left you?”

“Why would he have a burner phone?”

“So you two can text? For someone as smart as you, you’re really dense. Do you still have the one I got you?”

“Somewhere?” I dig through my desk drawer and find it. “Good idea.”

“God, it’s like you’ve never had to hide anything in your life.”

“I didn’t. Dad never cared what I did because I’m not his favorite.”

“It’s a fucking curse,” Evander mutters, shoving himself off my bed. “I guess I’ll go to dinner with you since I have nothing better to do.”

Anthony doesn’t say anything when he opens the door and lays eyes on my brother. He steps back, giving me a questioning look.

“Nice to see you again.” He walks past Anthony and looks around, a little too bold, but Gen Alpha is something else, and we just go with it.

“He’s hiding from my dad, avoiding his custody time, and can’t go home or my mom gets in trouble,” I say with a shrug. “I didn’t want to leave him in my dorm room.”

“He’s not, like, tracking him, is he? I don’t really want him showing up here.” Anthony makes a face, and I can tell he’s only half joking.

“I’m smarter than that. He tried to put a tracker on me the last time I did this, and I left it on a city bus. He learned his lesson.”

“That’s good!” Anthony laughs, and I turn towards him, shocked by the outburst.

“Look at you, all smiles.” I hold out the burner phone. “It’s a burner paid for in cash, so you can text me.”

“Oh, wow, that’s a good idea.”

“It was mine. You’re welcome.” Evander flips through Anthony’s books.

“Thank you,” Anthony adds after a minute. “Is your number already in here?”

“I added it on the way over here.”

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