Page 52 of Walk the Line

I think that ship has sailed.

I already know my brother has something to say in response and this time I don’t try to stop him.

“Nah, the more the merrier,” Demetrius says.

“I thought you were being a tree,” Kaylah says.

“I considered the prospects of what would happen if I didn’t speak and it didn’t look good for the table.”

He has a point.

Sierra seems to perk up Jalissa’s invitation. “Really?” Cause I think a lot of the Hockey team is around here somewhere, but just spread out. Could they join too when they’re done with their stuff?”

“Tell them come to with some information about parties at least,” my brother responds.

“Oh, you wanna go to a party?” Sierra says.

I don’t have much to say anymore, but I don’t hesitate to throw out, “He’s not going to a party.”

For the sheer look of embarrassment on his face.

“Sorry, who are you, by the way?” Sierra asks him. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“My brother,” I answer for him.

That hand of his is out again. “Demetrius.”

Her reaction of looking between us is typical and expected at this point. So are her words of, “Like…blood brother?” Not the first time we’ve been asked and it won’t be the last. “Dumb question, actually.”

“We’re nothing alike so I get it,” I explain.

“Yeah, you just have different energies.” That’s putting it mildly, but my brother and I both know this so there’s nothing else to say. “But you can’t expect siblings to be the same, anyway,” Sierra finishes.

“Exactly, and if you guys wanna see more of me, just let me know. ‘Cause I’m around.”

I sigh, resting my head against the back of the chair, a palm over my face. “I’m done with this guy.”

But at least he broke the ice.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

KAYLAH

I spent most of my time at university hiding away in my room last year when I wasn’t doing something related to Hockey, so I guess I’m still learning the fact that things can really jump from one leap to another when I spend time outside, especially with other people.

For example, meeting a new friend isn’t just meeting a new friend here. It’s meeting a new friend to go out for food and drinks, bumping into my co-captain who I’m having sex with on the side, and his…brother who’s the complete opposite to him, having my new friend’s roommate pick up keys which soon turns into her joining, and then having a good chunk of the rest of the Hockey team joining as well because this is Wild and no one at the university is ever really that far from each other here.

We now have a very full table, and as much as I’m trying not to be awkward, I’m well aware of the fact that a lot of the team still haven’t taken to me, so I don’t know what I’m expected to say.

Instead, I turn to my phone for comfort and find myself pulling up an empty text thread.

Me: Relax.

He’s been more on edge than usual today.

But that’s not something I should know.

Julius: Don’t tell me to relax.