Chapter 003

JACKSON / JAX

Scheming my eyes around the overcrowded field, my eyes easily find her, hard to miss because she's different from most of the girls. She's not too loud or seeking attention like what most of them do.

Eliana Brook. My step-sister.

She's sitting on the bench across the field, her long dark hair hanging down her back and nicely tucked behind her ear, not even a single strand out of place.

She's talking to her friend and laughing at whatever she's saying. I have never been this curious about someone else's conversation but…I wonder what her friend said that had her laughing so hard.

This is the first time in three days that I have seen a genuine smile on her face. Even though I didn't want to say it out loud, she has one of the best smiles that I have come across. It isn't forced and I can tell that it comes from deep within.

I can't help but smile too.

I watch as Eliana's friend looks in my way then leans to whisper something in her ear and her head jerks in my direction. The smile on her face fades away subtly and it's replaced with irritation.

The corner of my lips curves into a smirk and she gets irritated even more. I can't tell why I find her annoyance fascinating. Perhaps it's her stubbornness, how she bites her lower lip to suppress her emotions, the fire burning in her eyes when she's pissed off or maybe, just maybe, it's the way she loves hockey because I have never come across a girl who loves hockey so much in my entire life.

I have walked in on her watching hockey games a couple times in the past three days on her phone. There's something about how she cheered each time her team scored. I could feel the passion and the genuine happiness in her voice.

She mumbles something through her clenched teeth but I can't hear what she said since I’m sitting far from them.

However, I can tell that she said “Asshole” by the movement of her lips. She looks away, turning her back at me. I should be offended because she just insulted me. However, I don't find it offensive. Instead, I find it funny and can't help but chuckle.

"Hey big man, what the heck are you doing here? I have been looking for you all over the place. I was expecting to find you at our usual hanging spot but you weren't there,” Cilian, my assistant captain and closest friend complains, sliding on my right at the bench.

I hesitate to respond to his question and he follows my line of vision to check what has me staring. He knows damn well that it's hard for me to give something or anyone attention unless it's HAWKER, my hockey team.

“Oh, your step-sister.” He says with a nod, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Just checking on my step-sister to make sure she's doing fine. Isn't that how these sibling things work? It's new to me so…I don't have any idea.” I defend and he gives me a doubtful look, not believing a single word that comes out of my mouth.

Not that I care if he trusts me or not. Of course he has never trusted me with anything apart from my leadership when it comes to hawkers.

“When did you even start to care? The last time I checked, you didn't like the idea of having a stepsister.” Cilian reminds me about the conversation we had on facetime while training at the home gym a few days ago.

It's true I didn't like the idea even one bit when my dad informed me about Eliana and her mother moving in to stay with us. I thought that she would be like one of those unbearable step-sisters who want everything for themselves, loud for no reason and awfully annoying.

I was expecting her to be all that and much more. However, she turned out to be the exact opposite of what I expected.

She amazed me when she politely declined the credit card that my dad gave her the previous day, saying she has some savings that she could use in case of emergency.

“Well, let's say.” I tilt my head to the side and pretend to give it a thought, “I’m still getting used to the idea of having one.” I shrugged and Cilian raised a brow at me, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“I see you're liking the idea a little too much.” He jokes. I shoot him a hard glare and he dramatically raises his hands in the air in surrender.

“Though I have to admit that she's beautiful. You know I always have a thing for brunettes.” Cilian compliments and I let out another growl.

I don't agree with Cilian on many things like his training routine for hockey among other things but this. What he said a second ago, I have to agree with him.

She's one of the beautiful brunettes that I have come across. I had never looked at her from a close range but when I did this morning while helping her to reach for the mug from the top shelf, I noticed those tiny details that I never cared about before. The long lashes that didn't need that much mascara to stand out, thick eyebrows, pink pouty lips and those golden-hazel eyes that looked back at me, warm and almost intoxicating.

“Jax! Did you even hear what I said?” My mind snaps back to the present when Jackson bumps his shoulder with mine.

“What did you say again?” I ask and he blows a breath, clearly disappointed.

“I said, 'what about becoming your brother-in-law?' ” The corner of his lips tips up into a naughty smile and I immediately regret why I asked him to repeat what he had said.

“Brother-in-laws? No way in hell.I think we're good as teammates and friends.” I reply, making a face to show how disgusting the idea sounds and he chuckles.

“Please don't tell me you want him as a brother-in-law.” Cilian nods towards Eliana's direction and my head snaps to check what he's talking about and my jaw twitches.

Ethan Williams has his hand wrapped around her shoulders possessively. The same hand that he uses to hold with the hockey stick as he hits the puck to the Hawker's goalie.

Ethan turns to look at me, his hand around Eliana tightening a little more and the corner of his lips curls up into a smirk that I so badly want to smack it away with my hockey stick.

Him as my brother-in-law?

No fucking way!

I clench my hands into tight fists, my knuckles burning. He's rubbing on my face that he's with my stepsister and there's nothing I can do about it. Cilian notices the tension between us and he shifts his attention to me.

“I think he's trying to mock you man. Are you going to let him walk away just like that?” Cilian asks with a raised eyebrow and I can feel the irritation in his voice.Cillian doesn't like the guy and so is everyone in my team.

The corner of my lips lifts up into a smile, “You know me too well, Cilian. I’m not the kind who lets things go that easily.” I say, the smile broadening as an idea pops in my head.

“That's my guy!” Cilian cheers and I’m not surprised. He's the kind who likes trouble and the adrenaline rush that comes with it.

“What's the plan? You can always count me in.” He's curious to know what crazy idea I have in mind this time.

“We're gonna kick his ass.” I shrug nonchalantly, “Today?” He asks before I finish my statement.

“I’m not talking about physical, psycho. I’m talking about the rink. We're starting the training tomorrow!” Cilian looks a little disappointed but still nods to my words.

I have never cared to prove anything to anyone before but…I want to prove to my dear stepsister that I’m better than her boyfriend!