Page 144 of Pucking Them
Guilt forms a cold ball in my stomach, when I realize how pale Eden is. His joggers are stained. His t-shirt is crumpled.
Shit, this has impacted him as much as it has me.
I’m a selfish bastard.
I wet my lips, before squaring my shoulders. “I won’t read it either.”
Eden’s eyes spark with sudden joy. “Really?”
“Yeah, fuck the bastards. What do they have to do with us? We’re brilliant. The Webbs don’t deserve to meet us or know anything about us. We already have incredible parents. Our mum and dad in Guildford are amazing. They love and support us. They’ve never let us down.You’venever let me down. Circle of Twins, right?”
“Circle of Twins.” Eden pulls back from me, starting to prowl back up the line of the beach. I hurry to follow him. Then he glances over his shoulder. “Also, Jude and Robyn who willboth?—”
“Spank me if I don’t get my ass back in time to catch the bus?” That thought shouldn’t make me grin and put a spring back into my step.
But it does.
Eden smirks. “If you ask nicely, they will probably do that anyway. But quickly because you don’t have time. Robyn has already made sure your bags of equipment and uniform are being stowed on the bus. Jude will drive you to catch it. Then you’ll win the game and destroy Wilder. I’ll watch and be proud as I always am. Afterwards, you’ll celebrate with your true family because Shay, weareloved now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Freedom Mansion
Eden
I siton the bottom step of the sweeping staircase in the palatial foyer of Freedom Mansion. The silk, scarlet rope slips through my hands, as I check confidently that it isn’t frayed like D’Angelo has taught me.
Late morning sunlight streams through the arched window. I haven’t turned on the chandelier. My head is throbbing enough without adding artificial light.
At least it doesn’t hurt as much as it did last night.
Why did Robyn have to take one look at me when I arrived at the tour bus yesterday with my brother in tow and demand what pain level I was at?
I could have lied.
But Cody has taught me my lesson about doing that.
Is it strict physiotherapists or friends who teach you about honesty?
After the Webbs almost broke my brother, the fucking monsters, I should have been rink side, watching him play his next game.
Have I let him down?
I shouldn’t have broken my promise. I don’t do that. Yet Shay told me that I hadn’t.
We were standing by ourselves to the side of the bus under the light rain.
Shay pushed his damp hair out of his eyes, giving me a smile that I didn’t feel like I deserved. “If you came with us, then I wouldn’t be able to concentrate, and that’s what you’re normally yelling at me.Concentrate, Shay.Right? So, go home. It’s a long drive to the Penguins’ arena. Make yourself some tea, yummy snacks, and watch the game from the comfort of our lounge. Don’t go to bed late. We’re staying over in a hotel. We’ll see you tomorrow morning, yeah?”
I arched my brow. “You’re giving me orders?”
“If it keeps you safe. You’re my twin.”
I understood.
Standing together — alone — on that beach, I’d felt it too.
For such a long time, we’d only had each other. The Webbs rejecting us both again had proved it all over again.
