Page 34 of Heart Taker

By three a.m. I was still wired, so I checked my emails and immediately opened the one from Damien about summer training camp. The fee was two thousand dollars. I lived frugally, no new clothes or anything, unless it was hockey related. It would mean taking on an extra shift at Verdant or possibly another job, but I’d manage. I filled out the form and paid for the deposit with my credit card right then and there.

I was confident that I’d get a spot since no one else on my team had applied this fast. Who else was applying in the middle of the might? Only me. My teammates were probably partying at Ethan’s or fast asleep.

Tired, but restless, I did some prep work for my upcoming finals and logged off two hours later. Next thing I knew, I woke up at the kitchen table with a sore back, the smell of coffee, bacon, and toast teasing me.

I sat up and blinked, and my brother smiled back at me.

“You okay?” I asked him.

“I’m better,” he replied. “What about you? Falling asleep in that chair is not smart, bro.”

“At least I slept.”

I sat up, stretched, and shoved my hands in my hair, which was a tangled mess. Glancing at my phone, I realized it was already ten. Shit. I had to be at the tattoo shop by noon.

Josiah placed a mug of coffee in front of me and a stack of toast piled high with crispy bacon.

“Thanks. Did you eat yet?” I asked him as I took a grateful sip of java.

“Toast and a banana,” he said as he sat down beside me. “I think it was that stupid burrito I had at River’s last night.”

“You’re sure it’s not your meds?”

He shrugged. “Doubtful.”

“You know what the doctor said, you have to watch certain foods.”

“I know, but sometimes I can’t help it,” he replied. “I want to be normal like everyone else. Eat what I want, when I want.”

He’d missed out on a lot so I couldn’t blame him. I’d be the same.

“Take it easy today, plain foods, and lots of liquids.”

“Yep.”

I reached over and ruffled his hair. “And no bacon.”

“Ugh, no kidding. I made it all for you.”

“Thanks. I’ve got to be at work by noon. You’ll be okay?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a project to finish for English. I’m going to work on that and play some video games.”

“Speaking of school?—”

I started and took another sip of coffee.

Shit, I should’ve discussed the camp with Jo before booking it.

“Banning’s offering a summer training camp in June and July, three days a week. I’m hoping I get a spot, but we should talk about it.”

“What’s there to talk about?” Jo replied. “I’m in school until mid-June, so it’s a couple of weeks. And if you want to do it, go for it. It sounds cool. I’m going to start a summer job anyway.”

What? “Where?”

“The local driving range.”

“The one River’s grandfather owns?”

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