“I’m still sorry. I should have been more careful.” I hand her the makeshift pile. “But I appreciate your kindness.”
“Don’t be silly. If you wish to run, you should. Don’t mind anyone else. This isyour home, Mr. Kensington.” Gently, she pats me on the arm as she strides past me, continuing on wherever she was headed before, having no idea that was the warmest moment I’d shared with anyone since my mom passed.
Fuck, what I would give for a hug from my mom right now. For her to storm into my father’s office, smack him upside the head, and fix this whole mess. She was the only one who could make his world clear.
Ms. Ravi’s words sit heavily on my chest.“This is your home …”
I mean, this is where I grew up—at least after I was adopted at age ten. This might be my home, but lately, the only part that feels anything like the comfort I once knew exists in Ash’s and my wing.
The rest is a stage for us to perform on. For the staff, for guests, and even for ourselves.
I need to get out of here for a bit to burn some energy off, and I know the perfect place. The Legends training center in the arena.
After chugging a glass of water, I change clothes, grab my keys and helmet, and head outside. I jog down the grand staircase to the first landing and then to the ground level.
My bike is parked out front from our last ride, right where our father hates them to be.
Throwing my leg over the bike, I slip on my helmet and take off for the arena. I instantly relax as I feel the wind wrap around my bare arms and rush through my T-shirt.
If I wasn’t desperate to hit something or throw weights around to scratch the itch, I would just go for a nice, cool, calming ride. But I needmoreto physically exert the energy from my body.
A car pulls up beside me, and I recognize the G-Wagon almost instantly. Elias Lancaster, the Legends captain.
Elias is one of my good friends and one of the only people I know who understands the weight of being an heir to an empire. The Lancasters may be a newer family to Evermore, but they are quickly rooting deep into the foundation of this town.
He starts to drift back but then steps on the gas to catch up with me. I glance down at the speedometer and instantly let off a bit.
Jesus. I didn’t realize how fast I was going.
I flip my visor up and slow down enough to be able to hear him shout through the window, “Going to the arena?”
I nod, glancing toward the campus. The top of the massive arena comes into view, just beyond the trees.
Elias shouts, pulling my attention, and I see him flash me a thumbs-up before rolling his window up.
I guess he’ll be joining me.
We turn into campus, entering through the gates, and weave through the lush green hedge-lined roads. I grew up within walking distance of this place, but it’s still a sight to see every time I’m here.
The campus buildings are constructed of castles—some interconnecting from cobblestone paths and skywalks, others isolated, but opulent nonetheless.
The landscaping always looks pristine. Roads swept. Hedges trimmed. Not a leaf out of place. It reminds me of our home—at least what it’s turned into.
Banners decorate the industrial lampposts as we turn toward the arena, advertising HEAU and the men’s and women’s hockey teams.
The girls’ team is going to be fucking good this year. They lost to Kennedy Prep last year in the Frozen Four tournament. But it was so close. They should’ve had it.
I think they’re back for blood this year, and we’ll be there to support them if we can.
The parking lot has more vehicles than I expected to see on a Thursday night, but they probably needed an outlet, like me.
Elias parks next to me and steps out of his car, finding my side and my stride as I head inside. “Hey.”
“What’s up, man?” I ask him, pulling the arena app up on my phone. “What’ve you been up to?”
“I was over at Flounder’s Bar, grabbing a bite.” He digs into his sweats pocket and pulls out his phone, likely getting the barcode from the HEAU Kensington Arena app.
His activity piques my interest, as he’s typically a homebody.
