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Chapter 19

Author: Jane Melody
last update Last Updated: 2025-09-25 20:00:46

Distraction

Julian's POV

I notice the exact moment Dad's face tightens when Bryson speaks up against that bitch Victoria. I know why he's pissed, even if Bryson doesn't have a clue.

Victoria used to be Lauren Victoria Hayes - almost. Dad's most serious girlfriend after Mom died, someone who stuck around long enough that I actually thought she might become my stepmother. She was around for two years, playing the perfect girlfriend, attending every business function and family dinner.

Then things went to hell in the ugliest way possible. She cheated on Dad with one of his business partners, got caught, and tried to play it off like it was Dad's fault for working too much. The breakup was brutal and public, and they only stay civil now because their families do too much business together to make it worth the drama.

Dad hates public scenes, especially ones involving his personal life. Watching Bryson defend Clara like some white knight probably brought back every messy memory of Victoria'
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  • PUCK ME, STEPBROTHER   Chapter 39

    Misheard WordsJulian's POVI've been working extra hard on my schoolwork, trying to pull my grades up before Dad follows through on his threats. Hours in the library, tutoring sessions with the TA, staying up late reviewing material I should have learned weeks ago. It's exhausting, but the alternative is losing hockey, and that's not an option.Today I had a meeting with Professor Daniel about my economics grade, so I texted Coach that I'd be late to practice and got permission. The meeting was scheduled for thirty minutes but dragged on for almost an hour - sixty painful minutes of listening to the professor list out every single one of my failures and warning me exactly what would happen if I didn't improve by midterms."You're a smart kid, Hayes," he said, looking at me over his reading glasses. "I can see that in your participation during lectures. But smart doesn't matter if you don't put in the work. Right now, you're failing. Not struggling, failing. Do you understand the diff

  • PUCK ME, STEPBROTHER   Chapter 38

    Crossed LinesBryson's POVCoach calls off any more exhibition games and gathers us all at center ice after warm-ups. His face is serious, no trace of the slight satisfaction he showed after our last win."Listen up," he says, voice cutting through the noise. "Exhibition season is over. From here on out, we focus on training hard for the regular season."A few guys groan, but most of us expected this."We'll be playing both conference and non-conference games," Coach continues. "That means every game matters for our record. I want you sharp, focused, and playing like a unit. No more of this disconnected bullshitI've been seeing."His eyes scan across all of us, making sure the message lands."Practice schedule is doubling. Conditioning, plays, and team coordination. If you're not ready to commit, there's the door."Nobody moves."Good. Hit the showers. We start the new schedule tomorrow."At the bookshop later that afternoon, I spent time with Rowan during a quiet stretch. We're sitt

  • PUCK ME, STEPBROTHER   Chapter 37

    Grade issuesJulian's POVAfter the second exhibition game, I drive Bryson back to the mansion for the weekend. Dad texted during the game saying he expects both of us home for a family dinner, which means neither of us has a choice.The car ride is completely silent. Bryson stares out his window, and I focus on the road, both of us lost in our own thoughts. The radio plays some generic pop station, filling the quiet with noise that doesn't require conversation.My mind is heavy as I grip the wheel. My grades have been dropping fast - really fast. I failed my last economics test, barely scraped by on a finance assignment, and I'm pretty sure I bombed the accounting quiz from this morning. If I fail these courses, I know exactly what happens next. Dad will pull me from hockey faster than I can blink.The worst part is that I never wanted business and finance in the first place. I wanted to study sports management or maybe physical therapy, something that actually connects to what I car

  • PUCK ME, STEPBROTHER   Chapter 36

    Victory and ConfusionBryson's POVThe exhibition game day arrives and I'm already nervous before we even get on the ice. The locker room buzzes with pre-game energy, guys taping sticks and going through their warm-up routines."You ready for this?" Tyler asks with that genuine concern he's had for me since get one, bumping my shoulder."As ready as I'll ever be.""Second line, man. That's huge. Just play your game."I nod, trying to believe him. The pressure of moving up feels heavier today than it did during practice all week.When we head out for warm-ups, I scan the stands out of habit. That's when I spot Rowan sitting near the front, waving both arms over her head like she's trying to flag down a plane."BRYSON! YOU GOT THIS!" she screams at the top of her lungs.My face immediately goes hot with embarrassment. A few of my teammates laugh and look over to see who's yelling."Friend of yours?" someone asks."Unfortunately," I mutter, but I'm smiling despite the embarrassment I'm f

  • PUCK ME, STEPBROTHER   Chapter 35

    MisunderstandingsJulian's POVI feel irritated and I can't explain why. It's been eating at me for days, this constant low-level annoyance that makes everything feel off.A few days ago, I saw Bryson at a cafe with someone - dark hair, leather jacket, sitting close across the table. They were laughing about something, completely absorbed in their conversation. I'd only gone in to grab coffee before heading to the library, but seeing them together made me turn around and leave without ordering anything.Now I've overheard him on the phone with someone named Rowan. His voice went all soft and friendly in a way that made my jaw clench involuntarily. He was smiling while he talked, the kind of genuine smile I never see him give anyone at practice.My mind makes quick assumptions, filling in blanks with scenarios I don't want to think about. Bryson must have a boyfriend. Some guy he's keeping secret from everyone at school, maybe because he's not ready to come out yet. That would explain

  • PUCK ME, STEPBROTHER   Chapter 34

    New RoutinesBryson's POVI'm settling into my new job at the bookstore pretty easily. Working with Michael is fine - he's laid-back and doesn't micromanage, which I appreciate. But reconnecting with Rowan has made everything even better.Our friendship picks up as if no time has passed at all. She's funny and direct, the kind of person who says exactly what she's thinking without a filter. Within a week, she had become my closest friend, the one I actually talk to about things instead of just having surface-level conversations.After my morning classes, I head to the shop for a quick shift before practice. Rowan's already there, restocking the poetry section."Your stepbrother situation is so weird," she says without looking up.I groan. "Can we not?""I'm just saying, living in the same house as someone you kind of hate sounds like a terrible sitcom.""I don't hate him.""Right. You just avoid him constantly and get all tense when his name comes up." She grins. "Very normal behavior

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