Page 32 of Cheap Shot
“Semantics, Playboy.” I sigh, regretting even telling him any of this in the first place.“It doesn’t matter. I got the job of my dreams. There’s no way I’m going to lose it over a pretty face.”
“You think my brother is pretty?”
He is so lucky I’m not within smacking distance of his big-ass head right about now. “OMG, Kyle. Can you be serious for two seconds?”
“I am being serious. Either way, your dad is going to lose it. Wait, that might be an even better reason to hook up with Cole.”
“You aren’t helping, Kyle.” I groan, knowing exactly where he’s going with this.
Kyle has been on the receiving end of one too many of my sob sessions about my family issues. He’s been telling me to stick it to all of them for years now, but I just can’t do that. I know they all mean well, even my stepmother, but they just have a hard time showing it. Besides, they are my family. No matter what their faults, I’ll never abandon them. That very idea is what has me in this situation in the first place. I know they love me. They just have a pretty shitty way of showing it sometimes.
“It’s not my job to help. Your dad needs to learn that you’re an adult and can make your own decisions. If that decision happens to land you in the arms of my older brother, so be it. There’s no rule against dating players, is there?”
“Not specifically, but I’m the first female member of the team. They never needed to have one before.”
“Good. Then there is nothing that says you can’t spend time with my brother. Cole, specifically. Not the other two. I really don’t want to attend your funeral.”
“First of all, no. Second, just no. I’m not dating or shacking up with any of your brothers, Playboy.”
“Never say never, Michele.” Kyle chuckles before sighing loudly. “Do you feel better now?”
“Yes, but I still have to go into the locker room and tell Dad about my new job.” I sigh, my anxiety starting to build all over again.
My entire body begins shaking again as my shoulders pull back, and I stride toward the locker room door. This isn’t the right time for me to freak out again. I can do that later. Right now, I need to tell Dad about my new job before he finds out from someone else. If that happens, the guilt trip is only going to be worse.
“You don’t have to do anything, Michele. He can find out on your first day, just like everyone else.”
“That would be a great way to start my first day.” I giggle, imagining Dad completely losing it in front of the entire team.“But I never take the easy way out.”
“I know. I know.”
“Although mildly satisfying, embarrassing him in front of the entire team isn’t how I want to do this.”
“But it would have been something to see.”
“That it would’ve.” I giggle, shaking my head before checking my watch. “Don’t you have practice to get to?”
“I do, but it can wait. Are you okay? Need me to stay on the phone while you tell him?”
And this is why I love Kyle Hendrix. He’d risk getting his ass chewed out by Coach Todd for being late to practice to make sure that I’m okay. Oh, how I wish I could see him as anything other than a brother. He’s going to make some lucky girl blissfully happy.
“I’m okay, Kyle. Thank you.” I close my eyes, inhaling deeply, knowing in my heart I am. “Now get to practice. Don’t blame me for the extra laps Coach is going to make you do.”
“Laps build character, right? Peace out, Playgirl.”
“Bye, Playboy,” I respond before ending the call and pocketing my cell phone.
I take a deep breath and turn toward the locker room doors. No more dilly-dallying. It’s time to go and speak to Dad and tell him the good news.
ChapterEight
Michele
After giving myself an additional pep talk and doing some more breathing exercises, I head down the hall and come to a stop in front of the locker room door. I raise my hand, ready to push on the swinging door to walk in, but pause. I glance down at my watch to check the time. No one should be in the locker room besides my dad and Parker, but any of the guys could have stopped by. I’m going to be the only female member of the Portland Timberwolves team, so I’ll need to get used to announcing myself.
“If you don’t want me to see it, cover it up. I’m coming in!” I shout, knocking on the locker room door.
I wait for a few moments, but when no one answers, I head inside. Thankfully, there are no naked hockey players running around, and I make it to my dad’s office with no issues. The door is open, as always, but I knock lightly before stepping inside.
