Page 6 of Salvaged Hearts

Sure enough, national news was blasting Paxton’s name like some kind of sports messiah, Bombers fans celebrating like just Paxton’s presence would magically restore the team to its former glory.

I wouldn’t be so sure of that.Greyson’s parting words from last night planted in my chest as fury burned in my veins. He knew I was about to get more family in town when I’d told him so confidently nothing was holding me in the city. Fucking bastard.

Pax wasn’tjustfamily; he was my friend. My closest big brother. Only two years older than me, he’d been Hadlee’s and my protector growing up and the only reason bullies ever backed off. Despite being showered in fame for the last decade or so, he hadn’t turned into a colossal asshole. Aside from Elora, he’d made the most effort of my siblings to check in, to follow my career, and to have my back on days when Hartless pulled his usual bullshit. He visited often in the off-season and video chatted when he couldn’t. And they’d just traded him from his home of the lasteightyears.

Ollie and Hartless now owned my brother’s career.

I glanced back to the screen as the thread auto-scrolled to accommodate the deluge of messages.

Jameson

Jesus, that’s a hell of a number. Don’t blow it all in one place.

Paxton:

Can you imagine?

Hadlee

A castle in the Scottish highlands.

Maverick

I was thinking a San Diego mansion, and an endless parade of punt bunnies.

Elora

Maverick Rhodes, you kiss our mother with that mouth?

Maverick

Oh please, sis. Like you don’t know what guys talk about in locker rooms.

Axel

Holy fucking shit, bro. Congratulations.

On the trade and the punt bunnies *winking emoji*

Elora

Boys.

Hadlee

Honestly, there are ladies in this chat.

Axel

Really? I can’t see any. Let me know if you find them, and I’ll mind my manners.

Paxton

Fuck that.

Maverick

I think that’s what El is discouraging.

---