Chapter One
Hattie
"This is stupid," I whisper, staring at my brother's teammate like he might bite. Frankly, he might. Sidney Hawkes is what happens if you cross a giant with a raging bull. He's cranky as hell, bigger than a mountain, and looks like he makes little kids cry just for fun.
In short, he's terrifying.
He's also going to save my life.
He doesn't know that part yet.
I'm still trying to figure out how to break the news to him…preferably without him deciding to break me.
I take another giant gulp of whatever my brother, Tye, poured in my cup, trying not to choke on it. Whatever it is, it's strong. My head is already swimming. That's the only excuse I have for why I'm still staring at Sidney.
He isn't looking at me. No one at my brother's parties ever looks at me. I'm basically a Ficus in the corner, only with boobs and a designer dress. Unlike everyone else at the party, being ignored by Sidney doesn't feel personal. He's giving everyone the same treatment.
I think he hates us all equally.
"You can do this," I mumble.
"Did you say something?" a gorgeous WAG beside me asks, blinking like she only just noticed me. Her brows pull together in a look that's all too familiar. It screams that I do not belong here.
She isn't wrong. Tye's mansion is packed with important people. Everyone who is anyone in the Chicago sports world is here right now. And then there's me, included by default because all my brothers are famous athletes. Fans actually call them the Holy Trinity.
Gag me with a freaking spoon. Seriously. Please, gag me. They aren't that cool, not when I grew up in the same house as their smelly gym socks.
The rest of the world does not agree. But the rest of the world is not me. I'd rather be in my pajamas, reading or talking to my fish than partying with my oldest brother's friends. My mother would literally kill me, though. Tye is getting married, and I'm in the bridal party. Ihaveto be here.
Apparently, all wedding-related festivities are mandatory, even the annoying ones like parties. I did not know that when Vanessa asked me to be a bridesmaid. I thought I just had toshow up, help her get ready, walk down the aisle without falling, eat cake, and then go home.
Yeah, no.
I'm never doing this again.
"You're Tye's sister or something, right?" the WAG asks, still staring at me like she tasted something sour.
"That's me."
"That's wild," she says, eyeing me up and down. "Your brother is hot. You look nothing alike."
"I was adopted." It's only a tiny lie. I wasn't adopted, but my brothers are all annoyingly beautiful people like my mom. I'm…well, me. I look like my dad, who died when I was nine. Except God didn't give me his height or talent. Instead, he gave me social anxiety, no filter, and frizzy hair.
Tye, Briggs, and Harlan never treat me any differently, no matter how awkward I make things, but the same cannot be said for my mother or the rest of the world. As far as they're concerned, I crash-landed on this planet and should be sold to science.
"Ah, that explains it," the WAG says, not even realizing—or caring—how offensive she's being. They never do. In this world, when you aren't an important person, your feelings don't matter.
"Well, I'd love to stay and be insulted a little more," I chirp, wriggling my way to my feet. I stumble in my heels before I manage to catch myself. "But I have a grump to proposition."
"You—what?"
"Bye, Felicia."
"Felicia? That's not my name," the WAG mutters, her tone confused.
"Really? Weird." I wobble dangerously on my way across the room, my eyes locked on Sidney. He's still standing in the corner, glaring like he'd rather burn the place down than pretend to have a good time.
Huh. Maybe I can convince him to torch it. That'd get me out of here. It's not like Tye is ever home, so I doubt he'd miss his stuff if it all burned.
