“How is tendy?” An immediate cringe comes across his expression. “Er…Groffee.” He repeats the facial cower. “Um…Groff? Is it Groff?” The hand not propping up his head scrubs his face. “Thayne? I should probably call him Thayne, aye?”
I offer him a small nod.
“How’s he holding up?”
“He’s…” the ache in my chest deepens, “doing the best he can.”
“Trying to put on the brave big brother face for Bronskie?”
“Yeah.”
“How is he really?”
“A wreck.”
“How bad?”
“Bill Withers.”
“Huh?”
“There will be no sunshine when she’s gone,” my other half retorts upon joining the convo. “I appreesh the reference, Gillybean.” He drags the chair on the opposite side around so that we can be side by side. “And for lettin’ me catch a few Zs.”
“Why aren’t you still catching them?” I ask the instant he’s settled in his seat.
“Grams kicked me out.”
“What?!”
“Yeah, hot bro nurse came in, so her grandson needed to go.” Short snickers shake his shoulders at the same time hewinds an arm around mine. “Apparently, my cock blockin’ skills ain’t ones she’s interested in seein’.”
“Bronny knows them well.”
“That’s cause he can’t be alone for five minutes without tryin’ to whip his dick out for a broadskie.” Light laughs leave us both prior to him turning to face the camera. “Coach.”
“And as your coach, I have a responsibility to communicate to you certain information.”
Irritation trails itself up my spine, convincing me to lower my jaw in preparation of ripping my brother a new one.
“The Camelot game came to an emergency end under the guise of being rescheduled.”
Our eyebrows launch into the morning sky alongside our tandem croaking, “What?”
“Due to the altercation off the ice and the family emergency that took not only the player but the victim elsewhere, both GMs agreedwith the leaguethat rescheduling was the best option. The league – and the PA – were both informed of the situation and the charges that have been officially filed with DPD. DPD will be in contact with both of you this week via video chat – because you are not available in person – to conduct follow up interviews if necessary and maintain communication about the progress of your report. Hennington – who has left you a voicemail – wanted me to inform you both that shewill notbe letting this matter go unchecked. Dixon has been tasked with making sure this case is handled in a timely manner or outside sources will be tapped to ensure that it does.”
“Legally?” I whisper more to Jukes than M.
“Bes’ not to ask when it comes to Hot Rocket or Dix.”
“You do know how dirty that sounds, right?”
“Def Leppard would probably take an EP credit.”
“The press,” my brother announces louder to recapture our focus, “is aware that you are taking a leave of absence from the season; however, Ramirez, the Octotwat that she is – Hennington’s words – has already taken it upon herself to speculate rumors regarding you sleeping with my wife instead of my sister.”
The gasp out of me propels me forward. “No…”
“Yeah, not my favorite headline to read after getting my ass handed to me by the owner of my franchise for putting my personal feelings before the boys, but,” he tosses a hand in the air, “that’s how the puck dropped.”
