More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Read between
June 15 - June 17, 2025
Apparently, my night could get worse. Because it seemed the most beautiful guy I’d ever laid eyes on had just witnessed me yell at my car, kick it, and fall over in the snow.
“Only when my damsel-in-distress radar goes off.” “Oh, and I suppose that makes you Prince Charming?” “Sorry, princess, but I’m definitely no prince.”
“You know, if I was your boyfriend, I’d answer your calls and I’d drive you to parties.”
“But you have a good night, Sunshine. I hope I proved to you not all hockey players are pigs.”
Maybe she thought I hadn’t heard her at the ice rink. Or that I didn’t recognize her. Impossible. Violet wasn’t the kind of girl you forgot.
Parker was in there, raiding the pantry—just for a change. He was a year younger than Grayson and I, but I swore the kid ate more than the two of us combined.
“Can’t you see our boy Reed here needs our support? He’s finally decided that the constant stream of girls throwing themselves at him isn’t nearly as fun as stalking some girl he met on the side of the road, one who’s already got a boyfriend. Our brother is just trying to follow his heart. Who are we to stop him?”
“What can I say, us Darling boys are well known for our selfless good deeds.” Parker grinned, clearly well aware how untrue that statement was. “And we’re especially good to our friends. What do you say, Violet? Want to be friends with us?” His tone was playful, but I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or just messing with me. “I’d make a great bestie.”
“So, bestie, I hear you have a boyfriend,” Parker said. Reed shot him an annoyed look. “Ex-boyfriend,” I quickly clarified. At least, he would be as soon as I worked up the nerve to talk to him again. “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. What happened?” Parker didn’t sound the least bit sorry for me. In fact, his smile had only grown larger.
“Damn, girl,” Parker muttered. “My opinion of you just plummeted.”
“Okay, okay,” Parker held up his hands. “All I’m saying is Hoffman’s a dick. And now I know what he’s done to my new bestie, I think maybe we should make a quick stop at his house after we drop Violet off.”
“Don’t be an ass, Parker,” Reed said before he whispered to me, “Don’t worry, he’s all talk.” “Sorry, Reed, I didn’t hear that. Were you complimenting my ass again?” Parker asked.
“Just kiss her already,” Parker yelled from the car. “And on that note, I need to go pummel my brother,” Reed said with an awkward laugh. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
There were a few things I was certain of though. I was right; hockey players were pigs. My mom was right; jocks couldn’t be trusted. And Reed was right; I deserved better.
God, I hated that nickname. And hearing Jeremy say it now gave me the ick so bad I wanted to peel my skin from my bones.
Lifelong boycott.” It was hard not to flinch, and I seriously began to wonder whether my dreams of playing in the NHL were worth it.
“I wasn’t going to do anything.” Parkers eyebrows shot up with disbelief. “Dude, you growled at him like a mountain lion about to launch into battle.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m allowed to growl.” “Pretty sure the only time growling is allowed is in one of those dirty books Mom likes to read,” he replied. “Back me up here, Gray.”
“Oh, and how exactly is he looking at me?” “Like if you smiled back at him, he’d leap right through those flames, pick you up, and carry you back to his cave like some barbarian.”
“I didn’t say that. Dating him would be a terrible idea.” “What? But you think kissing him would be a good one?” “Uh, Vi . . .” “Because I’m not kissing anyone tonight.” “Vi . . .” “Also, I’m not just done with guys who play hockey; I’m done with any guys who have big egos.” “Violet . . .” “And I bet Reed Darling has one of the biggest around!” For a moment, the world went silent, and then a voice rumbled behind me. “I hope you’re talking about my big heart there, Sunshine.”
“So, if it wasn’t my big heart you were talking about, was it another part of me?” My eyes widened as I realized what he was inferring, and I quickly started to stutter. “No. I—”
If this was what it felt like to kiss a devil, then send me straight to hell.
Matt was right. I was a goner—and I had been ever since I’d seen her swing her foot at her car.
“If you want to be impressed by someone’s stick skills, you should have been watching me,” Parker said as he attempted to shoulder me out of the way and take my place. The little shit.
“Well, you don’t scare me, Reed Darling.” “Good,” he said. “You’re the last person I’d ever want to scare.”
“I miss you, Vivi.” “Funny, I don’t miss you.”
Cammie immediately barreled down the stairs. She screeched to a halt in front of Violet and tilted her head like she was inspecting her. “Uh, hi,” Violet said, clearly a little uncomfortable with my sister’s strange greeting. “Sorry.” Cammie quickly shook her head. “I was just trying to work out what’s wrong with you.” “What?” Violet laughed nervously, glancing my way. “You’re dating my brother. There has to be something wrong with you. I’m Cammie, by the way.” Cammie barely drew in a breath before she turned her attention to Reed. “She’s way too pretty for you, Reed. What did you do, pay her
...more
“I think you might be wrong,” Cammie argued before turning to Parker again. “You’re such a pig. You know that, right?” “Oink, oink.” Parker grinned. Reed and I shared a look, and I struggled to withhold a laugh. I could tell we were both thinking about the first thing he’d heard me say.
“Look, I think we all know I’m the real knight in this family,” Parker added, making everyone groan. “Dude, you’re the one the girls need rescuing from,” Cammie said.
“You can call me whatever you want, Sunshine. As long as you call me yours.”
“You look ravishing tonight, Vi,” I overheard him say. “Has dipshit told you that?”
