Page 49 of Pucking Them
“The funny thing is,” Cody’s jaw clenches, “neither do I, sis. Probably because I invented so many things, trying to work out what Dad wanted me to say. I’ve never known that with Dad. It wasn’t about the toys. Don’t you remember how he wouldn’t talk to me in that month either? He ignored me because I was abad boy. It was his affection that he held hostage. His time and attention.”
I swallow.
In his grief after Mom’s death, Dad neglected both of us. But he made as much time as he could for me.
It was Cody who he abandoned.
“He can’t treat you like that anymore,” I insist.
“But he can punish me in other ways. I thought that he couldn’t but…” Cody breaks off like he wants to say more but is holding himself back.
My heart shatters
“Code…” I encourage, softly.
He shakes his head. “Let’s focus on your poor guys now, huh? I sent Eden home because he was at level four and needs rest. If these games become more of a stress for him, then he’ll need to watch them at home, rather than attend them. I know how much that will kill him. Also, the two in there being screamed at because one was sent to the sin bin and the other didn’t lead his team to victory against your asshole ex…? How do we get Dad to back off them?”
“They had to face Wilder with no warning,” I reply through gritted teeth. “Dad shouldn’t be blaming them for what happened. This fucking ends now.”
Cody whoops. “The McKenna siblings to the rescue.”
I turn round, storming toward the office door.
Unfortunately, I stumble, as the heel on my boot breaks.
A jolt of pain flares in my ankle.
I blush.
So much for my dramatic entrance.
“Woah.” Cody grabs my arms. “Are you okay?”
I nod, waggling my ankle to check that it isn’t injured. “Nothing broken but my pride.”
“I guess you canhopintimidatingly into the meeting.”
I lift up my foot. “Oh, fuck it.”
I pull away from Cody, dragging off my broken boots. I fling them with a sense of liberation down the corridor.
Cody’s eyes widen. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, sis, but I’m not a jock like your guys. I can’t carry you in there like D’Angelo would.”
D’Angelo definitely would.
“I don’t need you to.” My feet are cold against the hard floor. “I’ll be bare footed — sock footed — with confidence.”
Cody arches his brow. “In those pink, fluffy unicorn socks?”
My blush deepens. “I was rushing this morning and grabbed the nearest pair. They were a joke present from Neve.”
Cody nudges me with his shoulder. “I’m not judging. Neve bought me the same joke gift. I love mine. I wear them in bed to keep me warm. Mike is less keen on them.”
I grin, before deliberately taking my brother’s hand in mine.
Dad has always hated us holding hands.
He believes that it means Cody isn’tbeing a man.
