Page 43 of Breakout
“It could work out. He could be the man you fall head over heels in love with. You could marry him and have your own children. Have that perfect little yellow house with the white picket fence and the dog digging holes in the backyard. You won’t ever know if you keep living your life on the sidelines.”
“Doesn’t your boyfriend play hockey? How does he feel about you using football terminology?”
“Nice try. We aren’t changing the subject. Beckett is obviously into you. What is stopping you?”
I could tell her. I could admit that I already married him. That children are likely not in our future because what we have is fake. I could confide in her.
But I don’t.
“He’s arrogant. Doesn’t take anything seriously other than hockey. He has more money than he knows what to do with. He grew up in a different environment. We just don’t have a lot in common. Why would I risk it?” I ask.
She looks at me sadly. “Money isn’t everything. Yes, he is arrogant at times, but he is also so caring. He showed up when I was sick with the others. He didn’t have to. Did you know he picks up these little cookies I like from the international market? Just because I mentioned once that I love them but never find the time to make it over there. He is always doing little things like that for others. You say he isn’t serious, but maybe he hasn’t found something to be serious about. Maybe he wants to be serious about you. As for how you grew up, that doesn’t matter. It’s how you grow together from this point forward.”
“He could also use me then drop me like he has others.”
“What others? Who has he dated since we came into their lives? Hell, even Brett has calmed down. They aren’t the playboys you think they are. Remember Clay? Everyone thought he was the biggest manwhore of them all, and he turned out to be a—” She looks both ways before she whispers, “Virgin.”
“I get it, Grace. I don’t think it’s a good idea, though.”
She shakes her head. “Okay. We will let it drop for now, but you will date someone before we graduate. Even if it’s one shitty date. You can’t waste all your college years being responsible.”
My heart hurts at her words.
I wish I could be young and carefree, but that’s not possible. If I take my foot off the gas for even a minute, I could lose it all. I refuse to be a statistic. I’m going to make it.
My one dreaded class a week. It’s a required chemistry lab for my degree. I saved it for last, but the only time you can take it is from six to eight on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thankfully, Coach had us all put our late classes on the same days so he could end practice early for us.
Still, it’s kicking my ass. I’m exhausted after having just one other class, strength and conditioning, and then practice on top of the class.
I want to fall into my bed and pass out.
Either that or go fuck my wife. Either would be acceptable.
Walking through the front door of the house, I hear the guys in the living room.
My heart starts to beat, wondering if Peyton is here too. I haven’t seen her much the last couple of days. She snuck over last night since Cora and Kellan were watching a movie at their place, but she didn’t stay the night like I had hoped.
If I thought being married would change anything between us, I was wrong. It changed everything for me, but she seems to be still keeping me at an arm’s length away.
I round the corner, my entire body deflating when I find Kellan, Clay, Wyatt, and Brett all sitting on the couch playing video games.
“Look who decided to come home. We were starting to wonder if you were going to disappear with your mystery girl again,” Brett jokes, smashing buttons on his controller.
He is so bad at video games but still loves to play them with us. It’s why no one wants him on their team.
“I’m not you, bro. I don’t have to get my dick wet every night of the week to be happy. How is the little guy anyway? He hasn’t fallen off yet, right?” I joke, taking a seat next to him on the love seat.
“He isn’t little. Do you want me to show you again?”
All the guys groan, but it’s Clay who speaks up. “Why do you have to provoke him? I’m going to start to think you like seeing his pecker.”
A couple of years ago, we saw the movieWaitingwith Ryan Reynolds. Ever since then, Brett has been playing “the game” without any of the rest of us actually wanting to be a part of it. It entails showing the male genitalia in different positions and catching the other players off guard.
Needless to say, he has a very large lead.
“Seriously, where do you keep running off to?” Brett asks, letting the topic of his dick go, which is shocking.
“Nowhere.” I look around at the group and find they have all paused the game and are looking at me.
