Read Online Game Changer by Melissa Cutler - Free Book Online Page B

myself.”
    Duke let out a nervous chuckle. “That’s a relief. Whatever disagreement you’re having with your parents, I’m sure it’ll blow over soon. We’ll talk tonight. Your grandmother will know what to say to your folks to help smooth things out.”
    â€œIt’s not going to blow over. They’re pissed at me because”—she drew up tall—“Okay, I’ll just tell you now. I enlisted in the Marine Corps and my folks were—”
    Duke’s shoulders hiked up and his eyes went wide. “You what? Tell me you’re kidding. I’d rather you’d told me you’re knocked up.”
    The remaining Bomb Squad players glided away without a sound. Brandon should have probably joined them, but he had a feeling Duke might appreciate him running interference should his conversation with Kayla turn heated.
    Kayla’s face pulled back, as though his reaction had caught her off-guard once again. “No, I’m not kidding. My parents were really mad when they found out, but I know what I want. I didn’t tell them until after I signed up because I knew they’d just try to change my mind.”
    â€œDamn right. That’s exactly what I’m going to try to do, too.”
    Her look of shock turned wounded. “Boot camp starts in six weeks and I need some place to live until then. I came here because I thought you were the only person who would understand why I have to do this.”
    â€œNo, I don’t understand.”
    â€œI’ve wanted to be a soldier my whole life. You’re the one who encouraged me.”
    Worry lines buffeted Duke’s eyes and mouth. “I most certainly did not.”
    â€œDuke,” Brandon said under his breath. He’d planned to suggest that Duke take a ten-minute breather from the conversation, but he was unable to get Duke’s attention, much less another word in edgewise.
    â€œYou taught me how to shoot,” Kayla said. “You told me stories about when you were a marine. You’ve always told me how I remind you of yourself when you were younger.”
    â€œYou’re a girl. A goddamn girl. The corps is no place for you.”
    â€œDuke,” Brandon said more loudly. “Let’s take a break.”
    Kayla had turned pale. “When did you turn sexist, Grandpa? You always told me I could do whatever I wanted. And now I’m just a goddamn girl? You sound like my parents.”
    Okay, enough with subtlety. Brandon didn’t see this line of discussion heading anywhere but from bad to worse. Brandon tapped his stick on the plastic sheeting. “Duke, I need a word with you in the locker room. Right now.”
    â€œCan’t you see I’m trying to drill some sense into my granddaughter?”
    Harper slid between Duke and Kayla, her arm around Kayla. “Wow. The marines. Congratulations are in order. That’s huge. Come sit with me at the scorekeeper’s table and tell me more about it.”
    Kayla seemed relieved by the shift in tone and rewarded Harper with a smile. “Thank you.” She paired her words with a little bounce that made her body jiggle in all the right places.
    Brandon flinched and turned to watch his teammates skating a slow circle on the far side of the rink.
    â€œHarper, you’re out of line,” Duke said.
    Not even close. In fact, time to run tag-team interference. “I was in the army, so I can’t help you out much,” Brandon said. “I’m happy to answer any questions I can, and we’ve got several former marines on the team who can give you the lowdown on boot camp and anything I can’t help you with. Either Will or Dante would be glad to help.”
    Kayla nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Cool. I didn’t know Will was a marine. I’ll ask him about it later.”
    â€œKayla, go with Harper. We’ll talk more after the game,” Duke said through