Stone Cold

3 <3 Bang

I finish off my pizza before draining the rest of my drink. Richy and Alexander are still arguing back and forth. I wipe my mouth with my napkin and look at the untouched food before the other guys.

“Come on now Richy, Alexander here rejected me and broke my heart. There is no reason to dwell on it.” I sigh and turn to Stone. “Your turn to play Birdie.”

He looks at my brother before smiling at me.

“1. I broke my arm in three places when I was young.” He rolls up his sleeve to show the scars, evidencing the truth.

“2. I am not number one ranking player on the squad this season.” He winks over at my brother before his gaze comes back to mine.

“3. I am sat beside the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on.”

He sits back in his chair and glances around at the gaping hockey players.

Holy s**t, did he just find a way to call me beautiful and gloat that he is the highest ranking player? I don’t know much about hockey but Richy was always highest ranking. Until Stone joined the team it seems.

I look over at Richy who is glaring holes into Stone right now.

“Okay.” I say abit too enthusiastically. “I am going to head home before you start whipping your d***s out to measure.”

A couple of guys laugh at that and I gesture for Stone to move.

He slides out of the booth. My brother looks like he is about to move the players his side, he would always walk me to my car. Only Stone drops his arm over my shoulders and my brother freezes. His fury filled eyes focus on Stones arm.

“I will walk you out Hazel,” he offers before looking to my brother. “Would not want any big jocks to get in her way.”

“I’m going to kill you Stone,” Richy calls out after us.

“May as well go out with a bang then,” Stone winks and I laugh at the double meaning. My brother does not laugh however.

-

My alarm goes off and I groan before hitting stop. I slowly sit up before stretching my arms above my head. Today is another early start as I head down to prep for lessons. The mini riders start at 6am sharp.

I love horses, they are my absolute passion. I approach the stables with a skip in my step and slide the doors open.

“Morning girly,” the first stall on the left belongs to my pure bred Friesian horse. I scratch her mane in greeting, “how are you today Pocahontas?” I know the name is cheesy, I just don’t care.

I leave her where she is as I release the other horses first and send them into the paddock.

Then I go back to my horse and fit her saddle ready.

“Come on then girly, let’s go see those kiddos.” I lead Pocahontas from the stables.

-

Exhaustion weighs on me as I make it back to the house for dinner. I kick off my boots and hang up my hat. I quickly wash my hands in the kitchen sink before rushing to the dining table and sitting down.

“Sorry I’m late,” I exclaim to everyone and sit in my usual seat. A glance around at them all.

“I saved you some baby J,” my brother passes me a made up plate and I thank him before digging in. He leans closer and whispers, “we need to talk after dinner.”

I grunt in acknowledgment but continue to eating.

“The county are hosting that charity barbecue this weekend. I expect you both to be there,” my father tells us.

“Can’t,” myself and Richy say causing my father to tense.

“What bullshit is it this time?” My father accuses and my momma scolds him for swearing at the table.

“We have a semi final game followed by a victory party,” Richy says with confidence. As though there is no way they will loose.

“I have a date,” I declare and continue eating.

Both my fathers and Richy’s heads snap toward me.

“A date with who?” Richy demands.

I roll my eyes at his behaviour, “no one you know.”

My father clears his throat, “your date will bring you to that charity function or you aren’t going.”

“I am twenty three years old dad,” my sigh is deep. “I can make my own decisions about dating.”

“I want to meet whatever boy is taking my daughter on a date, it is the proper way to do things.” He points his fork at me. “We do not uphold many traditions these days but this is not negotiable young lady. Any young man worth your time should be proper enough to announce himself.”

Jesus, did he think we still lived in the fifties. I don’t see what the big deal is, I’m not going to marry the guy.

“I will happily introduce someone serious dad, this is just a casual date.” I explain and start cutting up food.

My father looks confused before glancing to Richy. “What’s a casual date?”

Richy smirks before answering, “it just means they’re going to bump saddles pop. Nothin’ serious. Right baby J?”

I shove my elbow into my brothers side and he hisses before laughing.

“What in the heck are you two talking about?” My father says with annoyance now. “Neither of y’all are making any sense.”

Before Richy can speak again my momma changes the topic of conversation. I land another elbow to Richy’s side and glare at him.