Hard Luck Read Online Free Page B

excuse, bro,” Bryce says, shaking his head. “Quit going out for a while. Maybe try dating a nice girl.”
    “Wait, what happened to the whole, ‘don’t settle down until after I retire’?” I ask. That’s been the advice from him since I moved up to the big leagues.
    “Well, you’re a dumbass who forgot the second piece of advice. Be discreet.” I have no defense now at all. Discreet isn’t something I do. I like to go out and have the best pick of the hot chick crop. “And this last woman is dangerous.”
    “So you say.” I want to know more, but maybe it’s best to pretend the voodoo lady never happened.
    “She’s been through most of the offensive line, and sadly, she left a mark on one of them.”
    “A mark?” I gulp and place my hands over my dick in a reflexive motion. “What is up with this chick? Does she think athletes cum gold, then get pissed when they don’t give her what she wants?”
    “Pretty much. Thomas the Tank can’t play like he used to. He swears she put some curse on him. Did you get any voodoo vibes from her or were you lucky?”
    “Lucky, I guess,” I tell him a big fat lie, still freaked out by this morning’s dose of crazy.
    “Good,” Bryce says in relief as I try to mentally bleach the voodoo scene out of my brain.
    “It’s not like you don’t have hookups all the time.” The stupid remark comes out of my mouth before I can think. I blow out a breath, wishing I could take it back. It’s not the time to challenge Bryce.
    “It’s all about being smart. I left my latest’s apartment right before I came for dinner. Some chick who got drunk on too many mimosas at brunch.” Bryce smiles and licks his lips like he’s remembering something delicious.
    “I guess I’m just unlucky,” I admit.
    “There’s this look in their eyes. You’ve just been too drunk to see it when you’re with them.”
    “A look?” I ask.
    “Lust or longing,” Bryce answers, his tone matter of fact.
    “Explain.” I eye him across the table.
    “Lust means they’re looking for the same thing I am—a hot as hell fuck.” He raises his brow and nods. “The others have this look in their eyes that says, ‘take me home and I’ll show you why you should keep me there.’”
    “Hell, they all want me to take them home.” There’s no way that will help me decide who’s crazy.
    “They have this barely hidden hint of desperation. But you have to be somewhat sober to recognize it. My advice: don’t hookup until you know whether she’s a clinger or just looking for a good time.”
    “You’re something else. I’m not that calculating.”
    “No saints in this house, except Mom,” Bryce states more damn facts. “When Mom comes in here, I want you to throw her a bone and tell her you’ll go out with Charlene, the neighbor girl she’s tried to fix you up with,” Bryce demands, and I cringe.
    “The one with hygiene issues?” I ask, shaking my head.
    “She’s not that bad,” Bryce states.
    “Her teeth are green,” I say, incredulous. No way in hell am I doing more than waving to her from across the yard. “I’ll apologize and keep myself out of the papers, but no dirty girls—and I mean that literally.”
    “One more incident and she’s going to be your punishment.” Bryce leaves no room for me to argue, so I nod. Fuck, I hate being the younger brother.
    Mom comes into the dining room carrying her vase of Gerber daisies and sets them down in the middle of the table.
    “Did you boys have a good talk?” She eyes me while Bryce pulls out her chair for her to sit down.
    “We did,” Bryce answers back. “I think it was an enlightening conversation. Don’t you, Brady?”
    “Super enlightening,” I mutter under my breath. Reaching out, my mother pats my hand and I glance up, hoping to see the worry erased from her face.
    “Good. Now, let’s eat.” She smiles widely as she passes me the platter of fried chicken. I genuinely smile for the first time today, and it’s