Page 41 of Heart Taker

The sky was still light; the horizon painted with pink and orange streaks from the sunset. Sutton was beautiful at any time of the year, but I liked it best in the spring when the mountains were bright green, and everything felt new and fresh.

“River’s busy,” Jo muttered.

Josiah’s face looked sad for a moment and then he shoved his phone in his pocket.

“Everything okay with you two?”

Josiah nodded. “Us, yeah. Him? Not so much. His parents have separated.”

“Shit, I’m sorry.”

“His mom moved back to New York a week ago,” Josiah whispered. “River might be moving with her in the fall.”

I put my hand on my brother’s shoulder. River was his bestie since grade school.

“You want to talk about it?”

“No. Not yet,” Josiah admitted with a shake of his head. “But thanks.”

“We haven’t discussed what’s going to happen if I get drafted. You and Dad moving with me.”

“I want to finish high school here and then go to college. I’ll be eighteen soon and I can take care of myself. And Dad. You’ve already given up a lot of your life for me, Si. It’s time to focus on you.”

“I haven’t given up anything.”

“You know what I mean. You don’t have a life outside of hockey, work, and school. You need to have fun too.”

“I have fun,” I insisted. “Hockey’s fun.”

“I mean going out with friends, dating?—”

“I go to parties with the team. And I don’t need to date,” I replied vehemently. “Not at all.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

“Are you looking forward to training camp?” Josiah asked, and I was grateful for the change in subject.

I nodded. “It’s gonna be hectic, but I’m excited.”

“Banning was watching you today.”

I stopped short and stared at my brother like I’d never seen him before.

“What are you talking about?”

“He was staring at you the whole time we were there,” Josiah replied with a shrug.

“He’s a coach, it’s his job to watch the players.”

“You know, you’re alike.”

“No way.”

What the fuck did me and Damien have in common except hockey?

Josiah ignored me and kept on talking. “He’s focused and intense. Dedicated.”

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