“I don’t like this divide between us,” I rumble out, finally finding my voice again. “You’re my best friend. I can’t lose you.”
She tilts her head up, her brows furrowed. “I’m not going anywhere.”
My eyes, against their will, drift down to her lips. I have a burning desire to taste her again. Alcohol isn’t calling the shots here. No, my heart is.
“Me neither,” I murmur.
I press a kiss to her cheek, near her mouth, not able to understand the way my heart stammers in my chest. Before I do something stupid like stick my tongue down her throat again, I pull away before it’s too late.
Her hand touches where I’ve kissed her, making me stand a little straighter with pride. Brayden can pursue her all he wants, but at the end of the day she likes me. As complicated as that may be.
“Let’s go fuck with Drew,” I state, trying to chase away the weird vibe between us. “He’s going over some hockey footage on his laptop, prepping for the game tomorrow night. Want to go terrorize him with me?” I waggle my brows at her, grinning.
Seemingly relieved at my playfulness, she laughs. “Duh. Let me get changed into something more comfortable and then we can go.”
Before she walks away, I grab her hand, squeezing it.
“We’re going to be okay,” I assure her.
“I know.”
With those words, she pulls away, tugging at my heart in the process.
A college hockey game reminds me of a college swim meet. And because of that, I’m immediately on edge. People are everywhere. Seems like the whole damn school is here to cheer on our hockey players. Mia senses my distress and loops her arm with mine, resting her head against my shoulder as we walk to the area Drew told us to go to.
Rooming with the coach has perks, including free tickets to get into the game. We make our way over to the area he had someone reserve for us and sit down. I’m not eager to watch Brayden play, but Drew kind of sold me on the whole “hot hockey dudes fighting on the ice” spiel he gave us.
A few girls nearby squeal when some of the players spill out onto the ice, all thick with their heavy gear on. I know which one Brayden is right away because he’s the only one who skates like an asshole.
One hundred percent swagger, confidence, and overall arrogance.
The other guys may as well be shadows and he knows it too.
Drew makes it into the box with some of the other players, his head craned to look our way. When he sees us, he waves. His movement alerts Brayden to us. While the other guys warm up, he skates right up to the glass where we’re sitting.
“Date, Mia, baby,” he calls out, grinning like the guy who already got the girl. “Tonight.”
Just to piss him off, I sling an arm over Mia’s shoulders. “Mia has plans.”
She elbows me, making me grunt, but doesn’t wiggle out of my hold. Brayden seems amused by my blatant challenge.
“All the goals tonight are for you, beautiful,” he says to her.
“Can you get your ass kicked a few times for me?” I ask.
He laughs, skates backward, and then swivels around, his body tensed and ready to play. I hate that the entire move turns me the fuck on.
“It’s cold in here,” Mia whines.
“I’ll keep you warm.” I kiss the top of her head, keeping her tucked against me.
It’s strange how different a hockey game and a swim meet are. At the swim meets, the moist air is warm and thick with a chlorinated smell. Here it’s sharp and crisp.
“He’s a beast and they’re just warming up,” Mia mutters, pointing at Brayden. “I can’t wait until the game starts to see him in action.”
I hate to admit it, but he’s a natural on the ice. The other guys are good, but there’s just an inborn ability Brayden seems to have. We’re both mesmerized and focused on him when someone comes to stand right in front of us, blocking our view. I lift my gaze and cringe. Mia, snuggled into my side, immediately notices.
“Ashton,” Travis says. “How’s it going? I tried to talk to you this morning at the pool, but you ran out of there like your ass was on fire.”
I grind my teeth together. “I’m just fucking dandy.”
“Still a grumpy asshole, I see,” Travis sneers. “And no longer gay.” He nods at Mia.
“You’re still the same annoying motherfucker,” I spit back at him.
“You didn’t think I was so annoying when I sucked your dick.” He shoots Mia a nasty glare.
“Get lost, freak,” Mia snaps. “You’re in the way.”
“Nah,” I grind out, unable to ignore his barb. “You weren’t annoying when you were slobbin’ my fuckin’ knob, but you got annoying real quick when you turned me in to Coach Summers.”
“Drugs are bad,” Travis says, grinning. “I thought you knew.”
“So are bitter assholes with fragile egos.”
What did I ever see in this guy? It only took a few dates to learn he was a whiny prick and it was a bad idea to see someone from my swim team. Travis and I were cool until he realized he was second best on the team, and instead of working his ass off to beat me fair and square, he did me dirty by planting shit in my bag that wasn’t mine.
“Does your girlfriend know you’re a pothead?” Travis taunts, knowing damn well I don’t do drugs.
“I know you’re about to get your ass kicked,” Mia warns.
Travis scowls at her and then nearly jumps out of his skin when something slams into the glass behind him. He swivels around, coming eye to eye with Brayden. Travis is safe behind the glass, but when Brayden taps it with his stick in a threatening way, he steps back.
“Run along, fuck boy,” Brayden says, his menacing stare locked on Travis.
Travis shoots us the bird before stalking off. The tension
