Breakaway

Hello! 

If you are reading this book, I want to take this moment to thank you. I hope you really enjoy this book. Here are some other things that I would like for you to remember as you course through ‘Breakaway’.

- This book is purely fictional. Any resemblances in the book to people living or dead are not intentional.

- This book is set up in Boston and there will be multiple references to the American college and sports culture. However, most of my knowledge about the system comes from movies and books and hence, might not be entirely correct. However, I am doing as much research as I can to get my facts right.

- Please don't copy my ideas because the idea of plagiarism is not appreciable.

- Please don't post rude comments.

- Some profanities and mature content might be used in the book. 

Thanks and love xoxo

- Kira :)

~.~.~.~

~Luca~

Pulling the last of my packed boxes from the back of my sister’s car, I pile it on top of one more that’s sitting on the sidewalk next to my suitcase, in front of my new dorm. Charlie sighs dramatically, leaning against her Rover while Asher and Derek help me with the weight of the boxes. Griffin being the spoilt brat that he is, is constantly on his phone while my older sister sighs again.

“Oh my god! Charlotte, can you stop sighing so damn much? Another one and you’ll blow the world to go anticlockwise,” I say, my exasperation clear in my tone while my sister glares at me in response. Derek, my second oldest brother snickers while Asher shakes his head at the ruckus only us Ackermans can cause. 

“Luca, what’s your room? We’ll leave these boxes there so you can unpack later,” Asher asks, one box in hand and the other looming over the handle of my suitcase. The need to tell them off is sitting on the tip of my tongue, to tell them that I am more that capable of taking my things to my room, but I bite it back. Moving to the Carnegie Noir that’s situated just outside Boston in the small town of Meadslore from Yale, meaning choosing to go to university a whole four hours away from them, when I was previously living barely an hour away is enough of a shocker as it is. The last thing I want to do is say something shitty, when all they are doing is trying to be helpful. Even when I didn’t exactly ask them for it. 

“It’s Room 233, second floor.” When my brothers nod and grab my suitcase, boxes and hockey gear, I call out, “Thanks guys!” They don’t acknowledge it because they don’t think the gratitude is necessary to begin with. This is what family does, or at least that’s what they’d say.

Griff decides this might be a good time to chime in and says, “You guys, when I go to college, don’t even bother coming. You guys are embarrassing!” He looks up from his phone, meets my eyes for a second and then concedes, “On a second thought, Luca can come. She’s cool and she plays hockey. It’ll be good for my status quo.” This brings about a grin on my face, even when I know my baby brother is just saying that to rile Charlie up and he gets just what he wants. All said and done, I’m the favourite sibling’s favourite sibling. 

“How can you say that Griff? There is no way we aren’t going to be there when our baby-est brother is going to college. Isn’t that right, Lu?” she queers, looking at me for company, but I only shrug, pulling on my hoodie. “He wants me there. You should sort out your overbearing presence with him, Charls.” Grabbing the backpack, that Asher deemed me able of carrying, I begin my ascend towards the room that is going to be my home for the next two years. 

Meadslore, a small little town that looks like a harbour of big-city dreams is situated about an hour away from central Boston. It might have been that old-fashioned, quaint sub-urb that nobody really paid attention to and wanted to settle in post-retirement in a cozy little cottage, if not for the foreboding presence of the United States’ oldest universities, CNU and its badass hockey teams. Now, it’s a town that’s bustling with young blood and their antics, the smell of youth, sex and weed imminent in the air.

The dorm building itself is quite old, but fancy and charming in its own old-school way. The brick red walls are lined with portraits of old, famous alumni and the lighting in somewhere between a bright white and a warm, sober yellow. Did I mention it’s old enough to not have a lift? Yep. 

While Charlie follows me she huffs, “Why did you have to come all the way to Boston? Why not, I don’t know Princeton?” she catches up to me on the stairs and then says, “It’s closer to New York.” I have been waiting for her to bring that up since CNU’s acceptance letter, approving my transfer and now that she did, all I do is take a deep breath. I don’t bother answering her. I took up Yale because it was closer to New York and look where that got me? A transfer in my junior year, that’s what. It’s not like Charlie does not know this, but she still feels the need to let me know that I’m moving far away from home; way too far, in her opinion.  What she doesn’t know is that I want to. I want to be away from home and if I had it my way, I would have moved farther. Probably chosen Cali or something. “You know?” I venture, looking lightly over my shoulder as we hit the first floor, “Maybe, this distance will do us some good. We can’t always be together, Charls.”

“I’m aware,” she snaps, taking on the elder sister tone for the first time today. “Which is why we need to make the best use of the time we do have.” I hear her. I really, really do and so I tell her in the softest voice I can manage, “It’s only four hours, Charlie. You can visit me whenever.” I’d rather she not, but it’s not something I can tell her. Then I add, “You know CNU has a kickass hockey team for women.” I know she wants to say Princeton does too, but she doesn’t and for that, I am thankful. As annoying as my sister can get, I love her and she’s been there for me in ways nobody can expect. 

“I guess, it does.” 

When we reach my floor, Derek and Asher walk out followed by a tall, pretty brunette, whose chestnut brown hair is pulled back with a bandana in true hippie fashion. I wonder if she’s a hockey player too, because I was told that this particular dorm floor houses the players from CNU’s women’s hockey team. The closer I get, the grin on her face becomes extremely evident and she puts her hand out for me to take before I even get to have a look at my room. “Hey! I am Jamie McLaughlin. You must be Luca.” Before I can even reply, she’s shooting the next sentence, “Nice hair!” The compliment has me feathering my fingers, consciously over my dyed hair. 

Her pixie like features look so welcoming, her thick pout stretched into an inviting, friendly smile; almost as if she’s been looking forward to having a roommate. I wish I could tell her the same, but the truth is I have been pushing for a single room. I’m here to get a degree and play hockey. Making friends and having a roommate was not on my list. But here’s the thing. Beggars can’t be choosers. The fact that I managed to get in here is a miracle by itself and this is one of the few vacant rooms they had. However, I have been promised a single room once there is an opening, so I guess a semester or two of putting up with this walking sunshine is not too bad. Also, it can be worse.

“Thanks. Luca Ackerman,” I respond with a nod, although this person already seems to be aware of that. She bobs her head, anyway and then flails her hands the next second, in the direction of the room. “I’ll leave you guys to it then. I’m heading over to the cafeteria.” She doesn’t even wait for us to respond and simply passes sweet smiles towards Charlie and Griffin before heading in the direction of the stairwell that we just came from. I can see the stars in Griffin’s eyes, his gaze attentively following my new roommate while the said person leaves but not before leaving a lingering look in the direction of my model brother, Derek. Unfortunately for her, big brother number two’s gaze is fixed way too attentively on me. I take my cue to begin to shoo my family away when Jamie looks over her shoulder with the same smile I have seen her sporting the last ten minutes I have known her and asks, “Should I get you something, Luca? A sandwich, maybe?” I shake my head but when Charlie gives me the maternal stink eye, I say, “No, thanks,” to which she only nods and skips down.

Ash moves closer, his big body towering over me and says, “We’ve left your stuff in-” Resting my hand on his buff arm, I smile, “I’ll figure it out, Ash. I’ve got this.” He doesn’t look convinced, like at all, his attentive brown eyes filling with trepidation, in true big brother fashion but when Derek throws his arm around me and directs me towards the stairwell we came from, he has no choice but to follow us. Huddling closer to him, I let him guide me down the stairs. “So, how are you liking CNU, so far?”

Wrapping an arm around his waist I joke, “Can’t say much until I see the men and the sticks.” 

Derek’s eyes go round in the theatrical manner that tells me he’s only fucking around with me but I still play along, “I meant hockey, you duffer. You know men. And sticks? Like hockey sticks?”

This time he roles his pretty, pretty brown eyes that glitter much like his gold nose ring and scoffs, “Sure, Luca.” 

Huffing out a laugh, Derek is the favourite sibling, if you haven’t gotten the hint, I shove him and say, “For real. But, what? Please tell me you didn’t think your little sister is a virgin.”

At this he rushes me forward and says, “Gosh, keep it down, will ya? Ash will bust a nerve if he hears you.” Looking over my shoulder, I see my oldest brother narrow his eyes at the two of us, suspicion clear on his face. Signature Asher face. But again, he has reason to. Derek and I are never nothing except trouble when we are together. When I give Derek the really look, he snickers and whispers, “No, Lu. We don’t think you’re a virgin. What were you, like fifteen or sixteen? You were with that dickhead boyfriend of yours.” 

That sounds about accurate. What the fuck? Instead, I mumble, “He was no boyfriend.”

“Right.” Brother two reads my face and says, “You’re loud, you know?” My face flushes and heat creeps up my neck at the revelation and I am sure my brother is revelling in making me blush. It’s not that I am embarrassed about having sex; that is approximately the age where over half the American teenage population has sex for the first time, but honestly knowing my brother heard me is quite the humbling moment. 

He then continues, “However, we’d prefer not to talk about your holes and some dick’s stick.” I don’t think he realizes what he just said, so when I burst out laughing, it leaves him confused. As usual, I don’t bother explaining it, but when his bulb finally flashes, he simply shoves me but just as fast grabs me when I stumble away from him. A low laugh rumbles from the pit of my stomach and that is contagious enough for Derek to let out a rough chortle himself. “My new roomie might have a thing for you,” I say, wrapping my arms around my brother’s lean waist. “Couldn’t take her eyes off of you!” 

He gives me a pointed look in return as if I am exaggerating and shakes his head. “I am sure, that was not the case. I am sure she was just looking and you know everybody looks. You know the manbun grabs unwarranted attention.”

“Or it might be the billboard on the way to central Boston.”

“Or it’s just looking.”

“No chick ever simply looks at you! Twenty-six years old and still rusty when it comes to the ladies, I see.”

“I think anybody with eyes are absolutely capable of simply looking, Luca.”

“Dee, you’re a chick magnet. Always have been. It’s okay to acknowledge it, you know?” I joke, even though there is a truth to my statement. Anybody with a working pair of eyes can actually back me up on this claim. 

Derek is an absolute catch; both physically and personality wise and I am not saying this just because he’s my favourite human, ever. With tall, lean body, shoulder-length chestnut hair with freckles colouring his tan skin and stark hazel orbs for eyes and a puppy dog personality – you’re getting the picture, aren’t you? Also, did I mention he’s a model? Yeah, total package and I completely understand why my new roommate might want to tap that. If my roommate’s brother was that hot, I know I’d tap him, no questions asked.

“I am not sure what you mean, Luca. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I sigh. “When was the last time you dated, Ackerman? Or are you waiting to come out to us?”

Brother number two rolls his eyes and fake punches me. “I’m not gay and I’m not interested in dating. Can’t it be mutually exclusive, Ackerman? I can be straight and not fuck around. And why are you giving me shit for not fucking around?” 

“Sure. Whatever you say, Dee.”

My siblings wait around for some celestial sign to signal their leave and for the first time in the day, Griff looks hesitant. Derek is checking the campus and the chicks out while Asher is on the phone, doing whatever business-y things that he does every waking minute that he doesn’t spend fussing over us. In fact, him in a t-shirt and some ripped jeans this morning, a glorious sight, by the way, caught me off—guard. I think, subconsciously, I had been expecting him to turn up in, I don’t know, an expensive Armani suit that he favours almost every day except when he hits bed. Charlie is simply sulking, doing what she does best. 

“Guys!” I finally call, huffing. “I am going to college. Stop acting like you’re sending me off to war.” This grabs their attention and they begin to crowd me. Asher looks as if he’s ready to haul me on his shoulder and take me back to New York while Charlie appears to be shuffling through her brain for blackmail tricks that will get me to go back with them. Derek and Griff look sad, obviously but also mighty proud of me. My oldest brother steps forward and I can see the attention he’s commanding from the people around us. Barely looking a day over thirty when he’s a whooping thirty-five, Asher says, “You need anything-”

I loathe to cut him off, because it’s rare to hear him speak and I really don’t want to interrupt him, but I have to. “I will take care of myself. I am twenty years old, Ash. And an adult with complete capacity to take care of herself. You take care of yourself and take care of Jen.” Jen is my sister-in-law, currently in her third trimester and the only human in the world who has the ability to turn Ash into mush and automatically, I love her for that. I know, my brother can use some mushiness in his life that’s only filled with responsibilities of holding the Ackerman name up. Charlie and Asher sigh at my response, but nod anyway realising they can’t get across another word after what I just said. They take turns to hug me, Ash leaving a surprising kiss to my head. 

“Be good,” he warns, completely aware of me tendencies. Grinning widely, I only throw him a thumbs up, making no promises when Derek almost immediately engulfs me in his strong hold, like he couldn’t wait to get his hands on me. Like I am his favourite doll.

“You should really stop trying to give Ash a stroke. He’s going to burst a nerve one day from your antics!” It brings out a rare giggle from me and that pleases Derek, who smiles against my hair, tightening his hold on me. I wrap my arms around him, slowly swaying the two of us sideways. “I know I am supposed to be the cool brother, but please don’t get into trouble?”

“Okay,” I mumble, the truth of the situation finally hitting me. The four of them can be absolutely overbearing, enough to make me want to rip a few strands of my hair, but they are my family; my world. While I am excited to be on my own, I am going to miss them so much, although they may never hear that from me.

“I’ll miss you, Lu. I’ll drop by whenever I can, okay?” Before I even get to answer him, I am yanked and enveloped in the boyish scent of Griff. He rests his chin on the crown of my head, taking absolute pride in the fact that he is now taller than me. 

“Get into all the trouble you want, sis. That’s what makes you the badass Luca I know and love. Don’t listen to them. They are all growing old.” Derek sniggers and I am being so warmly and tightly held, I don’t know how Ash and Charls are reacting to Griff’s statement. “Play hockey and have fun,” he drops his mouth lower to my ear and whispers, “I know you’ve been wanting this, Lu. While I’ll miss you, I hope it’s everything and more you’ve wanted.” It’s a vague statement to make, but I know Griffin knows. He’s always been too perceptive for his own good. I only nod at that before he releases me. I smile at them, my lips wobbling traitorously when I call, “Ash-”

“Your scooter will be here in a day or two. Max by the end of this week.” A small smile makes it way on both our lips as he says it, before I am being gathered in a group hug.

It’s going to be a long two years, no matter how badly I might have wanted it.