Blocked (Boston Terriers Hockey #3) - Jacob Chance Page 0,2
he means it. But he’s probably just covering for his boy. If I don’t go, they’re screwed and he knows it.
“Dad, can you please take my diploma, cap, and gown home for me?” I hand over the diploma and cap before I unzip the gown. Shaw holds his hand out for me to grab onto as I step from the gown.
My lips form a smile. “Thank you.”
He winks. “Don’t mention it.” His eyes scan me from head to toe, taking in my sundress, bare legs, and sandals.
“We should get going,” Marshall reminds us.
“Sure. I want you home by one o’clock, not a second later.”
Marshall presses his hands together like he’s praying. “Dad, come on. It’s Maddie’s graduation night. Can’t we stretch it a little? Shaw and I have been at college all year with no curfew.”
“Fine. One thirty and that’s final.” He points at Marshall. “Make good choices.”
My brother spreads his arms out wide. “Dad, I’m the king of good choices.”
“I thought you were the king of manipulation,” I offer with a smug grin. Shaw chuckles under his breath, and I feel a pleasant twinge in my stomach.
“Ha ha, sis,” Marshall mocks.
“Enough, you two.” Dad steps in before anything can escalate. “Maddie, if you want to leave the party early, you can call your mother or me for a ride.”
“I know. And before you ask, yes my phone is charged.” I hold it up to show him.
“Good. Be safe.” Dad steps forward to kiss my cheek and shake Marshall’s hand, and then my Mom gives us each a hug before they walk away.
I arch a brow. “Where’s this party at?”
“It’s at Daphne’s house.” He wiggles his eyebrows. She’s one of the most beautiful and snobbiest girls in the graduating class. We don’t exactly run in the same crowd.
“Oh, great.” I roll my eyes. “Will I even have anyone to talk to besides you guys?”
“Probably not.” Marshall chucks me on the chin. “But you’ll survive.”
“That remains to be seen.” We wander toward the parking lot and find Shaw’s truck. Marshall opens the passenger door and gestures for me to go first. When I climb inside and slide to the middle of the seat, it places me next to Shaw. I glance down at our legs side by side on the worn leather, his thigh so much wider than mine. I know how the muscles flex and bulge under his skin as he runs. I’ve seen him work out enough times with my brother to have vivid images in my mind, all of them mouthwatering and unforgettable.
“Maddie, if you want to go home early, you can. Just call an Uber. Here.” Marshall hands me twenty dollars.
“What’s this for? Are you bribing me now?”
“Maybe.” He grins arrogantly. “I plan on staying over.”
“How are you going to manage that?” I sweep my eyes to him, my forehead wrinkling with a skeptical expression.
“You should know by now that I always find a way to get what I want.”
As much as I’d like to disagree with him purely for the sake of arguing, I can’t. Marshall does manage to get what he wants most of the time. He has a knack for talking my parents into changing their minds that I’ve somehow never developed. I wouldn’t even know where to start.
Shaw turns into a long driveway, parking his truck behind an extended line of vehicles. My stomach is suddenly unsettled, churning like turbulent seas. I dislike being dragged along to these parties, yet I never seem to put my foot down and refuse to come.
I know it’s because of Shaw. It’s pathetic, but now that he’s in college and has been gone all year, I’ll take every small chance I get to see him and spend time with him. Even if it means going with my brother to a party that I know I’ll hate.
My self-admittance annoys me and makes me seem a little desperate.
Taking Shaw’s outstretched hand, I slide from the driver’s side. Once my sandals are firmly planted on the ground, he lets go. I curve my lips in a small smile. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He winks, then shoves his keys in his pocket as Marshall comes around the front of the truck. The three of us approach the gigantic, white house looming in front of us. Though, it’s too big to be called anything but a mansion.
“This place is massive.” My voice is filled with awe as my gaze wanders over the enormous front porch that wraps around one side of the house. I