Page 60 of Ice Rebel

Jag had stepped up to him once and things had gotten physical. I wondered if my brother still had the scars from the beating he’d received years ago.

“Of course, I’ll be there.”

He appeared so relieved I was even angrier with our father. “One load should do it.”

“Did you rent a truck?”

“Nah. No need.” One load in his sports car? Was he kidding me?

“When?”

“How about right now? Unless you’ve gotta work.”

“No, right now is fine.” At least that way I wouldn’t have a chance to back out.

He grinned as he headed to the driver’s side. “I meant what I said. I’m going to be your protective big brother.”

“And I meant what I said, you big lug.”

Right now, I hated my father more than before and I was even more determined to make certain he had no control over any aspect of my life.

No matter what I had to do.

CHAPTER 14

Cole

In the concept of wild parties, what was happening inside the party zone was tame. For once, I was glad. Not only because I was sick to death of being the janitorial service, but also because I was bone tired.

Maybe the personal battle with Jagger.

Maybe the hot sex with Clementine.

Whatever the case, I was ready to call it a night. And it was only seven at night.

When I started to toss my not quite empty beer bottle into the trash, Hudson waltzed into the kitchen. “You’re not chucking that yet. Are you?”

“I was thinking about it. Why?” I knew his expressions too damn well. He was about to tell me something ridiculously explosive.

“The landlord called.”

“Yeah?”

He nodded. “He found a new roommate.”

“Already? Jesus Christ. The door hasn’t hit Darren in the ass. Does he need the money that badly?”

“Here’s the thing. Darren was way behind paying his rent.”

I almost choked, glad I hadn’t tossed the beer. “You’re kidding me.” Wally was a stickler for ‘rent payments on time or get out.’

“Nope.” He popped the p. “I doubt good old Wally cared he wasn’t supposed to share any personal information with me, but he blurted it out. Anyway, he found a paying customer.”

“Well, fuck. Why didn’t Darren come to us?”

“Pride?” Hudson arched his brows. “That’s why his family shuttled him off to Montana. They couldn’t afford to keep him here.”

An ache formed in my chest. I leaned against the counter, ready to drain the bottle. “Geez. A hockey player?”