Page 24 of The Penalty

EIGHT

RHYS

The next morning, I wake up to an alert.

Teddy changed Rhys’ contact to The Enemy.

I pick up my phone and change his before I get out of bed.

Rhys changed Teddy’s contact to Likes To Suck Gods’ Dick.

That will annoy him. But Teddy is true to his word. He doesn’t say a word. I don’t care, or so I tell myself. School gets busy and I push it out of my mind. What else can I do? Between him being my best friend’s older brother and him thinking I’m the enemy, it’s never going to work out.

Our first official game is this week, which means I need to get my head out of my ass and focus if I want time on the ice. I’m the youngest on the team, and I know how the competition is. They don’t care what my last name is, only if I can play. Coach Hawke isn’t like a lot of the other college hockey coaches which I like.

My phone rings and I check the caller but it’s blocked. That’s weird.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Rhys, this is Owen, your half-brother.”

My blood runs cold.

“You there?” Owen asks.

“What’s up?” I say, determined not to let this bother me. They don’t have to like me. I’m part of their lives now. It doesn’t matter if any of us like it.

“I hate the phone and I’m not trying to call to annoy you, but when you didn’t answer my text I knew I had to call and clear the air before we’re all meant to be at the dedication of our father’s building next week.”

“What?” I don’t have a clue what he’s talking about.

“The building? The Godfrey building?” he asks, like I’m meant to know.

“No clue.”

“Father donated the money for The Godfrey School Of Business building. It’s kinda hard to miss.”

“Did he?” I’m suddenly annoyed. “I don’t know how you’d expect me to know any of this. I’ve been kept from all of you my entire life.”

He sighs. “I know, and I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“No, but when you found out, your twin made it damn well clear he would do everything in his power to keep it that way.” I barely keep my tone in check.

“Oliver doesn’t like change. He’s not good at feelings either. He had a very complicated relationship with our father before his death and he’s taking it hard, especially considering your existence came as a huge shock to us. He needs some time to process it all.” Owen rambles and doesn’t even take a pause to breathe. “Not that any of that is an excuse for what he said or how he acted, but since I’m sure you’ll be invited next week?—”

“Why? What’s the point of inviting me?” I feel a little like a dick, but I can’t be bothered not to in this moment.

“I wanted to get to know you. My husband and I want to know if you’d meet us for coffee or something.” His words leave me speechless. “Rhys?”

“Why?” I finally ask.

“Because you’re my brother.”

“You’re not going to piss off your twin?”

Owen hesitates. “That’s not that hard to do. He’ll get over it.”

“Are you sure about that?”

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