Page 84 of Pucking Bad Boys

And of course everyone’s bet is that Mack will be the one to succeed where our father never did despite his undeniable talent. Especially after he was on that reality show this summer, the hockey world is watching my brother’s every step on his way to greatness.

Our parents don’t say it out loud, but I know they agree with the specialized press.

I want to, no Ineedto prove them wrong.

Mack is a force to be reckoned with on the ice, and all the attention he receives is well deserved. I know he’s going to be a star, and I want that for him.

Is it that wrong that I want the same thing for myself too? Does it make me an asshole that I would like to hear my name mentioned before his for once in my life?

I’ve been waiting by the library’s front desk for ten minutes and no one’s here.

Talia messaged our study group chat last night that because we struggled so much to find a time that worked for everyone, she was unable to book a private study room. We agreed that the first person who arrived would do their best to get us a table.

It looks like that’ll have to be me.

The library is crazy busy for an average Thursday evening when it isn’t time for even midterms or finals.

I guess that with the huge influx of freshmen on campus, all the new students are eager to socialize, and what better place than the library or the dining hall?

Luckily, I find an empty table with four chairs on the first floor. It’s toward the back of the room, but this floor is all dedicated to history, so it’s kind of perfect.

After taking possession of the table, I message the group chat to let the others know where to find me.

The first response I get is from her.

Talia:

Perfect. Macklin and I are almost there. See you soon, Becks.

Great. Of course, they’re even showing up together. Since my brother began dating the woman I like, they’re practically joined at the hip.

Thoughts of Talia keep me up at night. I regret not going in for a kiss when I walked her home the night we met. Maybe now she would be with me instead.

But Mack has known her longer. Maybe the truth is that I never had a shot, and if I had tried to kiss her, she might have turned me down.

Jesus, I’m fucking obsessed.

“Ah, here you are.” Gen turns the corner and sees me in the nook where our table is tucked away. “They’re about to get here. I saw Mack’s car pulling into the parking lot.” Her face contorts into a disgusted expression.

“Hey Gen.” We haven’t spoken much after that forced kiss at the first party of the year. But it doesn’t take a genius to see that her feelings about Mack’s new relationship aren’t that different from mine.

A part of me is still mad at her for the stunt she pulled. But I decided to cut her some slack because I understand that she acted out of desperation.

Gen is far from perfect, but she’s one of my oldest friends and I’ve never been able to stay mad at her.

Rather than taking the chair next to me, Genevieve lowers herself into the one across from me.

Her intentions are as clear as day. She’s trying to force Talia and Mack not to sit next to each other.

“Hey guys.” Talia and Mack arrive two seconds later.

Of course his arm is wrapped around her shoulders. I had never pegged my brother as the touchy-feely kind of guy. In all the years he was with Gen, he was never into PDAs.

“About time.” Gen bitches. “You should have some respect for other people’s time, Talia. The least you could do if you insist on doing the project together rather than each of us working on a part of the assignment is to show up on time.”

“Hey,” Mack barks out. “Take a fucking chill pill. You could talk if I hadn’t spent almost five years of my life waiting for you to get ready every time we had to go somewhere.”

The glower on Gen’s face could incinerate every life form within a ten-mile radius. “At least I was late so I could look good. What’s her excuse?”