End Game_Bellevue Bullies Series

by Toni Aleo

  “I am, but I feel like nothing is ever going to happen.”

  “And it could not. You were the one who didn’t want to go into the EHL when you had your chance.”

  “Because then I’d be playing for shit money with no one looking at me. I’m better here. And also, if I’m in the EHL, I won’t have time for the education I want.”

  He holds his hands out to me. “Exactly, Ryan, you made that choice. And I agree, you’re too good for the EHL. But, bud, people are looking at you.”

  “I don’t think they are.”

  “They are. Listen, I think you are made for the NHL. Thank God you took after me and not your dad in the hockey department.” He says it with a wink. Though, I don’t smile, much to his dismay. It was always a joke that my dad didn’t know a lick about hockey, but he was a big fan. Mostly because of me. “But, bud, if it doesn’t happen, then it doesn’t. But you have to remember to work hard so that, no matter what, you know you gave it your all.”

  I get what he is saying and I appreciate it, but damn it, I hate his words. “I want it to happen.”

  Shea takes my shoulders in his hands. “Bud, I want that too. You have to be patient.”

  I nod. “I just want to make everyone proud.”

  His face softens. “Oh, Ryan, come on. We are all so proud of you.”

  I hate feeling like this, and I know I shouldn’t. I’m working my ass off, but something just feels off. I’m not confident that I’ll go in like I should be. Like Shea wants me to be. “Will you be mad if I don’t make it?”

  “No, but I honestly feel you will.”

  “Don’t tell my mom I asked that.”

  He squeezed my shoulders. “Well, seeing as how she bitched at me to talk to you since Amelia was worried, which worried her, I’m gonna tell her I talked to you and you’re fine.”

  Fucking Amelia.

  “I’m gonna kill that sister of mine.”

  “Yeah, I wanted to too since we all know how hard these next couple of months are for your mom.”

  My heart drops into my gut. “I know,” I agree. Amelia knows too. I don’t get why she called Mom. I’m fine. Just a little defeated lately. Nothing I can’t get over.

  “But then again, you know how those two are. The best of friends, they worry.”

  “They don’t need to. I got this.”

  “You do, bud. You do,” he insists, and I nod slowly.

  “Thanks.”

  He squeezes my shoulders once more. “Anytime. And listen, you have options. If this isn’t really what you want—”

  I narrow my eyes, cutting him off. “Who said it isn’t what I want?”

  His eyes search mine, and he looks as if he is trying to choose his words carefully. “I’m just saying that if at any time this isn’t fun, maybe it’s not what you want.”

  What the hell? I’m upset by one thing, and hockey’s not fun anymore? That’s bullshit. “It is fun.”

  He doesn’t seem convinced, but it is. I love hockey. I love everything about it. I love the rush, the fast pace, and the camaraderie. I love it. I do. Yeah, I don’t like the pressure from Coach or even the way he talks to me sometimes, but I can learn to deal. “For real, Shea. I love it. I want this as my career.”

  “And I support you, bud.”

  Our gazes stay locked, mainly because I don’t believe he thinks I love it. I do. This is what I’ve wanted since I was a kid. Before I can say anything, though, my mom snakes her arm around my waist. “This looks intense.”

  Shea looks to his sister. “No, we’re just talking.”

  “Yeah.”

  Her gaze turns to me and then back to Shea. “You two look upset.”

  “We’re fine,” I say then, wrapping my arm around her. “I just need to let things go.”

  “You do. You have a tendency to dwell.”

  I know this, and let’s be honest, I learned from the best. Mom dwells like no other. So does Shea. Hell, my whole family does. Whenever something goes wrong, everyone is on high alert. And they don’t stop thinking about it.

  “I’m good. Let’s go watch Amelia kick some ass.”

  My mom grins, and Shea does too before he says, “I heard she’s pissed she isn’t doing bars.”

  Mom shrugs. “Yeah, but she’ll get there. Sucks though, that she won’t be up for all-around since her beam is a hot-ass mess.”

  I nod. “She’s been sucking on beam for a while now.”

  “Well, you try flipping on a four-inch-wide surface and see how you do,” Elli says when she falls into step with us. “She’ll get there. That girl is determined as hell. As are all our babies.” She then looks at me. “Especially this one.” When she messes up my hair, brown tendrils falling in my eyes, I laugh as I pull away to fix it.

  “Thanks, Elli.”

  “Of course. How’s school?”

  I nod, a grin on my face. I’m still a little bothered by what Shea said, but then, it’s hard not to smile when I’m asked about school. “Great. I aced my test yesterday, and I’m still rocking that 4.0.”

  She beams. “That’s my baby.” Mom kisses my temple, and Shea beams.

  “And I’m still good to intern for the Assassins? You talked to the athletic team, they’re okay?”

  Elli nods with a wink. “Of course. It’s one of the perks of having your aunt as the owner and having stellar grades. DJ was impressed when I showed him your transcript.”

  I smile. “Thanks. We all know I have the best aunt ever.”

  “Suck-up,” Shea teases, and I grin.

  “Everyone is jealous, and my teacher is geeking out. Think I can snag some tickets for my class?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Butters me up before asking for more. These kids. Always wanting something.”

  We all laugh together as Posey and Shelli meet us at the door. Posey points to the top of the bleachers where the boys have set up camp. “The boys got us a spot.”

  “Fantastic. Let’s go watch our girl kick ass!” Mom cheers, and I smile as she wraps her arms around Shelli and Posey, walking with them.

  Unlike the rest of my family, who are all wearing matching “We <3 Amelia” shirts, I have to wear my game-day suit. Coach has a strict rule that we have to look our best at school functions. I already apologized to Amelia, but she wasn’t the least bit concerned. Especially since I made her an awesome sign.

  What can I say? The Justices and Adlers go all out.

  Sitting next to Shelli and my mom, I look out at the gym that has been converted into one awesome-looking gymnastics meet. The floor is bright teal with black trim, and the logo of the GymBulls mascot is in the middle of it. Unlike our logo that’s a badass bull with hockey sticks, theirs is the bull with sparkles at the corners of its eyes, but it still looks pretty damn amazing. Excitement builds inside of me at the thought of seeing Amelia out there.

  Growing up, there wasn’t a weekend where we weren’t at the rink or the gym. Of course, Mom and Dad had to split up and get us where we needed to be, but there was never an issue. Both of them were always there for us. Totally hands-on even with their big careers. Usually, Dad took me, and those were some of the best weekends. We did “man stuff,” as he called it, which basically meant we watched hockey and ate junk food since Mom wasn’t around to make us eat healthy.

  When I had the weekend off though, and it was Amelia’s time to shine, being with both my parents watching my sister kick ass was by far the best. Even though we had to eat healthy shit, I loved watching my mom and dad gush over Amelia. Some siblings would be jealous, but I have always been proud to call Amelia my sister. She is talented and damn good. Don’t get me wrong, we fight, but in the end, we have each other’s backs.

  When Shelli holds out her phone, I put on a bright smile as she snaps a picture of us. “For my Snapchat.”

  “No, really?” I laugh, and she flashes me a bright grin. Shelli looks just like Elli, but with Shea’s eyes. Some would say she favors her dad, but I think Posey is more her dad than
Elli. “When do you leave?”

  “We’re taking Mommy’s plane after this.”

  I hold up my pinkie and tease her. “Mommy’s plane is taking me to New York, where they’ll be waiting for me with champagne.”

  She leans into me, laughing. “Please, I can’t drink yet.”

  “You’re right,” I say with a dry look. “A Capri Sun.”

  “Much better. Also while I drip in my diamonds.”

  “Gag,” I joke as she laughs openly. “You’ll be careful?”

  “Yeah, and I’ll text.”

  “It’s only the weekends, right?”

  “Yeah, but I’ll miss family dinners for the next couple months. So make sure Amelia doesn’t get into too much trouble, and please make sure my brothers don’t kill anyone.”

  “Done,” I promise as I lean back in the bleachers just as the music starts. The announcer begins to speak, and my attention is drawn to the side doors as he says, “And now, Bellevue University, for the first time ever, your GymBulls!”

  The door opens, and out comes the team of about thirty girls. As each one is announced, my family claps along with the crowd, but when it comes to Amelia, I’m surprised we aren’t asked to leave.

  “And our hometown girl, from Nashville, Tennessee, Amelia Justice!”

  “That’s my baby!”

  “Get it done!”

  “Let’s go!”

  “We’re so proud!”

  “We love you, Amelia!”

  Yes, we’re obnoxious as hell, but I don’t think we bother anyone.

  Much.

  I laugh along with Shelli as she snaps pictures, putting hearts all over Amelia’s photo until the announcer says, “From Mesquite, Nevada, Sofia Castilleja.”

  The announcer draws out her last name, and the crowd goes wild, but I’m stunned in place. I know I don’t have an up-close view of her, but from where I’m sitting, she is stunning as fuck. A girl hasn’t made my mouth go dry in a very long time. Robin sure as hell didn’t, but Ms. Sofia Castilleja, oh yes, it is a desert in my mouth.

  She’s absolutely luscious.

  She’s maybe an inch taller than Amelia, but she isn’t built like my sister or even her teammates. She’s thick. Her leotard is tight, hugging her hips and thighs. Her shoulders are big. Even covered by the sleeves of her leotard, I can see the definition of her muscles. Her breasts are on the small side, but her ass makes up for it. Her hair is dark and looks like it might be curly from the huge bun on her head with a teal and black bow tucked into it. She’s wearing bright-teal eye shadow, like Amelia, with bright-pink lips, but I’m too busy drinking in her thighs.

  Who the hell is that, and why don’t I know her?

  Wait.

  “Hey, Mom, is that Amelia’s roommate?”

  She’s clapping loudly as she nods. “Yes, Sofia. She’s such a sweetie and crazy talented. I’m excited to see her.”

  “From what Am said, she is like Olympics-good.”

  I look back to Shelli. “Why’s she here?”

  “She got some crazy full ride. It’s like they pay her to be here. Am says she has an allowance from a private donor. Insane, right?”

  “I want that, Daddy. Can I have that?” Posey asks, and he grins at her, kissing her temple.

  “So what you’re saying is you want me to pay for everything and give you an allowance without saying it’s me?”

  She blinks, her lips curving. “Exactly.”

  “Can you do that for me too, Dad?” Owen asks.

  “Me too,” Evan asks, and Quinnie holds his hand up.

  “You too?” Shea asks, and Quin shakes his head.

  “No, can I just live with y’all forever?”

  I shake my head as they all start to argue over who is going to live with Shea and Elli for the rest of their lives. I can’t stop my eyes from drifting back to where Sofia is. She has the sexiest jawline, I swear it. Her skin is a honey color, and the teal of her leotard makes her look darker than she is. She is fucking gorgeous; Amelia wasn’t lying.

  Sofia and Amelia hold hands as they stretch, both with full grins on their faces. And thankfully, I have a perfect view of Sofia’s ass. Her leotard doesn’t cover much, and while it’s good for me, I’m a little pissed to know that some other guy could be looking. Fucking sleazeballs.

  Shit…am I a sleazeball?

  “Dude, stop drooling,” Shelli whispers in my ear, and I wave her off.

  I wipe the drool I hadn’t realized was leaving my lips, and I’m met with her laughter as I look away, chuckling to myself.

  I was raised not to ogle the girls at Amelia’s meets. But let’s be honest, I did; I just made sure my mom never knew. My dad did, and though he told me to respect the girls, it was hard for a horny teen not to stare. I never dated anyone who did gymnastics with Amelia for the simple reason I didn’t want the drama of it. Amelia is best friends with everyone, and I wasn’t looking for anything serious. But that may change today. It’s funny that I didn’t pay the slightest bit of attention to stories about Amelia’s roommate when she spoke of her. I didn’t even care. Girls just aren’t on my radar right now.

  But that girl is on my radar.

  Hell, she might be the radar.

  Sitting on the edge of the bleachers, I watch as she goes to her coach, and he says something quickly. She smiles, her eyes bright as she fist-bumps him before walking to the runway of the vault. I love vault. It’s my favorite to watch, maybe because it’s intense. I’ve watched so many girls eat that vault and break bones. It’s spectacular to witness, but right now, I just want to watch Sofia murder that thing.

  And by the determination in her eyes, I think I’m going to get what I want.

  Saluting the judges, she lines up, going up on her toes and then back down before running like a fucking gazelle. She is quick, and when she hits that board doing some twist and flippy thing, my jaw drops.

  Because she sticks it.

  Like she’s been doing this in her sleep.

  The crowd goes insane. Even my family is screaming for her, but I’m stunned. When she runs back, her coach says something, but I don’t think she hears him. Her eyes are on fire. I don’t know why, and I want to know. Was she not happy with that? ’Cause I thought it was amazing. Her eyes are narrowed, and her lips are pressed into a hard line.

  Holy hell, she’s sexy.

  Saluting once more, she takes in a deep breath, and then she’s off. Once more, she does the same thing. I don’t know what she changes, but the coaches are losing their shit.

  Along with everyone else.

  Even me.

  When everyone else sits down, I don’t.

  I don’t even watch my sister take her turn.

  I’m too busy texting her.

  Introduce me to your roommate, and you can come to any party you want at the house. Promise.

  Chapter Six

  Ryan

  The GymBulls dominate against the Wildcats in what is a blowout in my opinion. Three-point difference. And I’m sorry, I love my sister, I do, but we won because of Sofia. Her scores were ridiculous; she was just downright sick. Shelli was right. The girl could go compete in the Olympics, and it’s killing me to know why she didn’t. I would have given her tens on each event, which is why I’m no judge. But still, she scored the highest by six points over the rest of the other all-arounders.

  Insane.

  Oh, Amelia did awesome. Her scores were great, and when she comes out to us, we all make sure she knows it.

  “Oh, my love,” Mom gushes, wrapping her arms around my sister and hugging her tightly. Shea and Elli wrap their arms around Mom and Amelia, hugging her too as they repeatedly tell her how wonderful she was.

  “Your floor was amazing,” Shea says, hugging her into his chest. “Your layouts are getting so good. I’m so proud of you.”

  She beams up at Shea as Mom kisses her once more. “I thought your first vault was better than the second.”

  “It was. That’s the one th
ey kept, from what Coach said,” she says sweetly, her eyes bright as she bounces in place. I can tell she’s still on a high. She gets that way after a meet.

  “I am amazed, and I’m ready for some bars,” Elli says, kissing Amelia’s cheek. “Maybe throw me some beam in there.”

  Amelia beams. “Yeah, Sofia said she’ll work with me on beam, and I should be able to lock down bars since Mallory fell twice today.”

  “Dude, she ate it,” Quinnie calls, and the boys laugh.

  “Like, on her face.”

  “It was gross but so damn awesome,” Evan adds after his brother.

  “Speaking of Sofia, where is she? I want to congratulate her.”

  “She’s doing all these interviews,” Amelia says excitedly. “We’re all freaking out because we’re pretty sure no one will ever beat her score, and she’s saying she was a bit off!”

  “What? That’s crazy,” Shelli says, shaking her head. “She was insane, but you were better.”

  They embrace. “You have to say that.”

  “I do, but I mean it. You were amazing, Am.”

  They hug once more, and I smile as Mom kisses Amelia’s forehead. “Your dad would be so proud.”

  Amelia’s eyes are a little cloudy with tears, and she bites her lip. “Thanks so much for coming, guys. I love the shirts.”

  We all laugh as she looks back at me. “And your sign was the talk of the floor.” Chuckling, I hold it up once more, looking down at my awful handwriting.

  I can’t keep calm because my sister is Amelia Justice, and she is the best gymnast in the world! GO GYMBULLS!

  “Hey, everyone loved it.”

  “It’s perfect, thank you.” Coming to me, she wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

  Kissing her forehead, I whisper against her hair, “Badass for sure. I’m so proud of you.”

  She looks up at me. “Thank you.”

  When Shelli pulls Amelia from my arms, I let her go as I watch them embrace once more. They need to say goodbye, and maybe I can go catch a glimpse of Sofia. Leaning back on my heels, I look into the gym and see her standing with a few different guys in suits, and her coaches are off to the side. Her hands are on her hips. Her ass so round and thick from this angle, and boy, I’m jealous of that fucking leotard she’s wearing. But then I look at her face, and she has this grin that says she just won it all and she didn’t doubt herself for a minute.