4

The first thing I feel when I open my eyes is the crisp cool air following through.

Fuck, I left my window open last night, If I catch a cold Coach is going to kill me.

No literally.

He threatened Dillon once when he showed up to practice with a runny nose.

It doesn’t help that we play ice hockey.

I mean a rink, isn’t really the place you go to get a tan.

Ice hockey. I love it. More than anything. My passion. Not NHL level dreams. But still, something I love whole-hearty. It gives me drive.

Senior year. I’m here, after everything I finally made it here. Honestly didn’t think I would.

Ok, what the fuck is going on outside my door.

Miles should be at work so it can’t be him, Dillon I can faintly hear snoring through the wall next to me.

So it’s Cole.

Austen isn’t here yet, he arrived home yesterday but went to his parents last night so he gets in later today since he doesn’t have classes on Monday, lucky bastard.

What is Cole doing out there? Last night was fun and all but sporting the headache right now makes it all seem not worth it.

I stumble out of bed, making my way toward to door.

Not before, I slam the window shut, for a little reprieve from the cool coursing air.

Throwing my door open, I find Cole on the phone on FaceTime I think. Who is he talking to at 6:00AM in the morning? On the first day of class, nonetheless?

I stroll past him on the couch heading towards the kitchen.

I look down to see, the cutest little girl, his clearly older brother in work slacks and his absolutely beautiful younger sister (by a year), totally off limits.

For years now, I’ve thought she was the prettiest girl I’d ever laid my eyes on.

Since she showed up at the rink looking for Cole during her freshman year.

But her two older brothers are so protective of her, especially Cole, and no one could get within a 4 square radius of that girl.

I know something happened in their past.

And that they don’t have parents and Damien raised them.

But I don’t know everything.

Cole is really private about it, so I assume it is something bad.

Shit, him being on the phone to his siblings reminds me. I should probably check in with Mum and Dad and go visit Cora, my beautiful little sister who has the brightest smile and the warmest hugs.

But she looks like him.

Even though she doesn’t know.

I remember.

Every time I look at her, I see him and it hurts still after 5 years.

I continue on to the fridge, grabbing a glass from the cupboard and pouring the fresh cold water in. Taking a sip and knocking back some Advil, anything to kill this headache right now.

I walk back over to the couch, throwing myself down at the other end from Cole, to give him some privacy.

I give him a small nod to say good morning, and he responds with the same.

After scrolling through the news, checking my emails and class schedule. I hear a faint alarm go off in the background, I just know it’s Dillon’s.

And that man could sleep through a hurricane. I honestly wonder why he bothers to set an alarm, if he just sleeps through the all.

So I get up, my loud footsteps thudding against the floors towards his room.

I throw open his door, sneak past the girl he seemingly picked up last night and is taking residence in his bed.

Switching off the alarm. Looking at the clock, shit he must have an 8AM which is in 30 minutes. I start to shake him. Which he groans in response.

“Leave me alone, King” he mumbles.

“Dude, you have a fucking class in 10 minutes!” I shout, trying to alert him.

“GO away” he responds.

“OK, your problem now man. Just make sure you’re up for practice. If you miss it, Coach will have your balls” I state leaving his room.

Heading back to my room, I climb back into my bed. Not without taking notice of the empty space next to me though.

Not that it’s ever been filled, really. Some girls here and there. But for the most part, only 1 girl occupies my thoughts.

Emerson Fitzgerald.

Cole’s little ‘off limits’ sister. And since I’m respectful, I’ve never made a move. I could probably ask him, he’s a stand-up guy.

Shit we met a frat party at the beginning of freshman year. We hit it off and the five of us become really good friends. Got this apartment off campus last year. I knew he was going to be on the team. I mean who didn’t know his older brother.

Damien freaking Fitzgerald.

Boston University legend.

NHL bound.

NY Islanders and all.

But then one day, he just pulled out, saying it wasn’t the scene for him. Which was weird, he was the best the league had ever seen in years.

That family. I mean Damien, Cole and Emerson were a really good-looking bunch. I was jealous. And the little one, whatever her name is, she’s adorable too.

I wish I had that connection with my little sister. I look out for her especially after what happened. But man, it is hard. Sometimes, too hard.

So I avoided Emmerson at all costs. Afraid, I would make a move if I got too close.

I saw her around campus and at a few parties.

I mean we ran in the same circle, her friends were friends with my friends.

So we did spend time together. Not the way I wanted.

I can count on one hand how many conversations I have had with that girl. And trust me, if I could make it more I would.

The scrambling next door pulls me from my thoughts. Ah, Dillon has decided to keep up for class after all.

“Fuck man you couldn’t have told me” He yells.

“Um I did, you were being a little princess wanting more sleep, who the heck was in your bed anyway?” I ask.

“Tiffany. Courtney. Juliet. I don’t know I was plastered last night. I have no idea. She was good looking. I’m good looking. We hit it off, came back here and did the deed.” He tells me stumbling over his own two feet.

Only in hockey skates does this man not have two left feet.

“Ok, I didn’t ask for the details, just wanted her name.”

“Why you interested?” He asks with a curious hint at the end of his sentence.

“No not all, just need to know so we can ban her from everyone else here.” I throw at him through the door.

Last year, it happened. A girl Austen hooked up with one time after we won a game. Hooked up with Dillon the following week. When she did the walk of shame out of Dillon’s room, it was awkward for all parties involved to say the least. So now, we have a permanent rule, one girl per guy, no sharing. Ever.

He runs out of his room, grabbing his keys from the end of the bench. Pulling the front door to our share house open and leaves without saying another word.

I watch him go, it’s only 8:30AM now, meaning I have an hour before I have to leave for class. I walk back into my room, pick up my phone and decide to make the call.

Mum.

“Hey Sweetie, what’s up. Why you ringing? Is something wrong? I didn’t expect your call.” She sweetly calls through the phone, once she picks up after one ring.

I know she doesn’t say it to guilt me. But I can’t help but feel it. I haven’t been the best son to my parents or brother to Cora. I became very closed off, I didn’t share with anyone.

Afraid if someone got close again, they would end like him.

“No mum. Nothings wrong, just wanted to ring and check in.” I tell her.

She sighs and continues on “oh ok, that’s unexpected. We miss you King. We wish you would just talk to us.”

I avoid them. Hell, I avoid most people. Except for my roommates and teammates. I didn’t have that many friends.

Girls did throw themselves at me. But I always turned them around. It would be unfair to them. I knew that. When all I could think about was her.

—🦋—

I leave the apartment with 15 minutes to spare. Just enough time, to hit up Glazes.

My favourite underrated spot for coffee on campus. It’s behind the Psychology building, which I spend most of my time in. Since I’m a 3rd year Psych student. No one really knows it’s here but I love it.

Plus, Miles one of my roommates and closest friends works here. It’s nice having a familiar face around, you know.

I look up from my phone still waiting in line. When I see her.

She’s here. Looking none the wiser to my blatant staring.

Even in the morning and in a sweat suit. She is gorgeous.

Miles finally calls me up to the counter as I swipe my card to pay. Knowing he knows my coffee order and had already typed it in.

I stay standing waiting for my coffee. Going back through my phone.

“Order for Emerson” the guy behind the counter shouts.

My gaze flickers over to her as she stands up without a glance up from her phone.

I move to grab my coffee as I know I’m next and Miles is holding it up. As he looks at Emerson and laughs.

As she stumbles right into me.

I watch as her beautiful hazel eyes slowly glance up to me.

I reach my arms out to steady her, as she mumbles a quick sorry and thank you.

Before leaning over grabbing her coffee and running out.

Just like that, she is gone from my vision. I turn back to Miles, clutching the coffee in my hand.

I leave the shop, glancing around for her. Within an instant, like a radar I find her.

Dude, seriously she is your best friends sister. OFF LIMITS. Get that through your thick skull.