Tough Luck

3

Nessa

One thing I loved about this college was it wasn't a hockey loving school. I mean I'm sure there are a heap of student who love hockey and watch, but our main sport is football and I am 100% okay with that.

I personally LOVE hockey. Why wouldn't I when I have a brother who plays pro for Cleveland. And that brother is the only family member that actually acknowledges my presence more than once a month. I mean we used to have fortnightly family dinner and even then I didn't get asked to come. I just had to show up or they would care.

But back to the school being a football school instead of a hockey school. The reason for this was because when I was a senior in high school, jack had just started out and was all over the sports channels. People from school obviously new he was my brother and it was hell.

Now, in college no one new except for Elle and Flo. And I really wanted to keep it that way. Not looking like my family at all helped doing just that. Plus, Collins was a pretty popular last name. In the two years I'd been here, not one person had approached or even asked me if we were related.

So when training had ended and Tank, one of the players asked me if I was any relation to Jack Collins, pro hockey player, I froze.

Flo and I had just stood up to leave when Linc, Colt and Tank had come over to ask how we liked it. Levi had walked straight past us. I get the feeling he doesn't like me much. Guess what buddy your not exactly like label yourself.

"Um.. ah... who?" I asked dumbly. Oh my gosh I am the worst liar. I look to Flo and her eyes are wide. Before she can make it obvious she coughs and looks always.

"You know, ranked top 7. Cleveland's vice caption." Linc inquires.

I give him a blank look, "yeah nope no idea who that is." Who am I kidding i don't sound convincing at all.

"How cool would it be if she was though" Tank thinks aloud.

"I know right" Colton says in return.

"You guys are fans of hockey then?" Flo questions the guys hooking her camera bag over her shoulder.

"Are we fans!?" Tanks sounds offended. And the other two scoff, "fuck yeah we are. The three of us and Levi never miss a game on SPN. Well unless we're playing of course." He says like it's obvious.

"Not at much as Football though." Linc quickly tacs on.

I snicker, "of course."

"Right we'll we have to go. I'll see you guys tomorrow at 7am" Flo shivers as if that's the worst thing to ever happen to her.

—————

"At least they believed you." Elle says whole sitting on our couch in the living room. Flo and I had just filled her in on our afternoon.

"I know. But that's not the point!" I stress. "What if they find out? Then I'll never here the end of it. People will want to be close to me to get to Jack and it's just too much"

"Okay, okay." Flo soothes, "deep breaths. No one will find out. You've got them off you trail and they're too dumb to google and yours and jacks names together."

I know she's right but still.

"Plus it's not like you're in any of the new family photos" Ellie jokes. I lean back and let out a soft chuckle. I love my girls. I love them even more when we can joke about our trauma and not get offended.

"Let's not talk about it anymore!" I declare. "I'm just being dramatic." I settle into the couch next to Elle and pat the spot best to me for Flo to scoot closer.