Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 104766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
The locker room erupts with cheers.
My teammates—and myself—bang on our chest plates, getting ourselves even more amped up.
I jog onto the field, helmet clutched in my hand, and remind myself that I can’t let whatever’s going on with Tess hinder my performance.
This scrimmage demands my full attention, and I’m determined to give it my all—regardless of the unanswered questions lingering in my mind.
“Dude, what’s going on?” Suddenly, my brother is there, clamping a hand on my shoulder like we’re the only two people in this stadium crowded with thousands upon thousands of people.
“Nothin’.”
He smacks me on my shoulder pads. “We don’t have time to fuck around. Just tell me what’s going on.”
The fans are so loud it’s almost deafening.
“I have no idea what’s going on,” I say honestly because I literally don’t.
Drake laughs. “Welcome to the wonderful world of relationships. Congrats, bro. Welcome to the club.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Should I be amused? ’Cause all I am is confused.
“It means that women are a mystery. Don’t try to figure them out. When she’s ready to tell you what the problem is, she’ll tell you.” He pulls his helmet down over his head, snapping the chin strap. “Get your head in the game, man. Do you want to end up hurt?”
“No.”
“Then shut off the noise and get your head in the game.” He smacks me again on the shoulder pads. “It’s time to give ’em hell.”
CHAPTER 55
TESS
I WON’T LIE, HIS BROTHER IS PRETTY FREAKING AWESOME, TOO.
Of all the people I thought would come lecture me about communicating my feelings, never in a million years would I have thought it would be Drake Colter.
Drake.
Of all people.
The Drake Colter I remember from our youth was a cocky, arrogant asshole who never had time for anything other than football.
Granted, Drew didn’t really either, but at least he wasn’t a dick about it.
But as I lounge around Drew’s bedroom, awkwardly waiting for him to finish his shower, the door creaks open, and there stands Drake, his brother, giving me that enigmatic smirk that has “I’m here to stick my nose in your business” written all over it.
“Having fun?” he drawls, leaning casually against the doorframe, bulky arms crossed.
I notice he has tattoos, something I hadn’t noticed before.
The gap between his teeth winks at me.
“Am I having fun?” I wouldn’t call sitting around a bedroom waiting for a guy to get out of the shower my idea of fun, but whatever. At least I’m here.
I try not to let Drake’s sudden appearance in the doorway rattle me, but the truth is he’s always intimidated me. Probably because of his Zero Fucks Given attitude that I’ve never mastered.
“Oh, just soaking in the ambience of your brother’s room.”
He chuckles, strolling into the room as if he owns the place.
Which technically, I guess he kind of does.
Drew told me that his older brother Duke owns the house, and they’re allowed to live in it rent free as long as they’re on the team and in school.
Drake is by the desk now, leaning over to sniff the roses still placed in the center of Drew’s desk.
My flowers.
“You know, I’ve always thought the true essence of a person is revealed by their bedroom,” he begins. “A lot can be deciphered from the books they read, the clothes they wear, and the questionable decor choices they make.”
He pokes at the Star Wars Lego creation of the Millennium Falcon.
Wanders from the desk to the bookshelf.
I raise an eyebrow, unimpressed. “So what’s your brother’s essence, according to his room?”
He looks around with seriousness. “Well, I’d say Drew is ‘post-modern minimalist meets chaotic laundry pile’ aesthetic.”
I can’t help but laugh when he says, “He should go into interior decorating. His room is way better than mine.”
Way better than mine…
He leans against the dresser, his expression softening. “What’s going on with you and my brother?”
“I…” Don’t know. “Nothing.”
Now he’s the one arching his eyebrow. “Funny, that’s what he said this morning when I asked him the same thing.”
My mouth opens.
Closes.
“You asked him what was going on?” I pause. “What did he say?”
“He said nothin’. Same as you.”
I let out a sigh, my gaze wandering to the floor. Bookshelf. Closet door. “It’s... complicated.”
Drake arches an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. “Complicated, huh? That’s a word I’ve heard quite often lately.”
I glance up at him, my curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”
He tilts his head, studying me for a moment. “I know that you’ve had a lot going on, what with the baby and then not having a baby, but you’re not the only one affected. Drew’s been actin’ different since your date last night.”
I frown. I thought it was just me.
“Different how?”
He sighs. “Look, obviously, I don’t know any details, but I know something happened between you two.”
He’s not wrong.
“I can feel it in my gut.” His massive shoulders shrug. “It’s a twin thing.”