“That’s why he picked that sappy-ass song.”
“Picked it for what?”
“On game days, we do a light skate in the morning and we each get to pick one song that Mav compiles into a playlist for us.”
“That’s cool. What’s your song?”
He smirks and instead of answering pulls out his phone. Like with Jordan, I have to lean in close to hear it. As the music plays I can see how it affects him, getting him pumped up. But unlike when I was this close to Jordan, I’m acutely aware of everything about Heath. The way he smells like soap and something masculine—sandalwood, I think. The fit of his shirt, tight around his chest and biceps but looser at his tapered waist. And the way my body reacts—heart racing and breathless.
Friends schmends. I want to kiss him again.
When the song ends, he pockets his phone and leans back, and I can think a little clearer without him so close. I push my chair back and stand. “I’m going to use the restroom.”
I catch Dakota’s gaze as I walk by the table and motion for her to come with me. She and Reagan tail me into the ladies’ room.
“What’s up? You were flashing panic eyes. Do you need a tampon?” Dakota asks as she checks herself in the mirror.
Reagan sets her giant purse on the counter and pulls out a tampon.
I wave her off. “No, I’m good.”
Next, she pulls out lip gloss which I take.
“I like Heath,” I admit after I swipe on the shiny pink gloss.
Dakota snorts. “Duh. What’s the problem?”
“We’re friends. He’s one of my best friends here. He’s already told me that he isn’t interested in dating me. If I make a fool of myself, then I’ll have to stop hanging out with you guys, and that would be a real bummer.”
“First of all, we’re not going anywhere. Second, don’t be a pussy.” Dakota meets my gaze in the mirror.
My mouth tingles and I rub my lips together. “What is this gloss?”
“Lip plumper,” Reagan says, putting it back in her purse and pulling out mascara and adding a coat to her lashes.
“It stings. Holy crap.” I grab a paper towel and wipe it off, but the burn only subsides a little. “That’s awful. Do you have something else that will dull the pain?”
Reagan hands me another gloss, this one I inspect more closely before applying.
Dakota holds out her hand for the lip plumper. “I like the pain,” she announces as she puts it on, turning so her back rests against the counter. “Listen, if you’re sure that nothing is going to happen between you and Heath, then stop torturing yourself.”
“She’s right,” Reagan says. “You guys spend a lot of time together which makes it hard to get over him.”
“Or find someone else.” Dakota’s icy blue eyes bore into mine. “Come on. Let’s go back out there. Sit with us and forget about Heath for tonight. There are a ton more guys at Valley, and we’re going to introduce you to all of them.”
“The ones out there anyway,” Reagan says with a light laugh.
Not a terrible idea. I’m done being angry and sad about Bryan, and spending my time wondering what college would have been like if he were here. I’m ready to have fun, date, maybe even hook up with someone new. And if that’s not Heath, then there are other people out there.
Heath is at the bar getting another pitcher when we make our way back to the table which makes my transition to sitting next to Reagan and Dakota less awkward. When he spots me down the table, he raises both hands in question, but I just smile at him like it’s nothing.
Reagan and Dakota are true to their word and they casually introduce me to so many guys they start to blur together. I feel like I’m on a covert version of The Bachelorette.
“Okay, point taken. There are a lot of guys at Valley. You don’t need to introduce me to any more.” My gaze flits to Heath across the bar. He’s talking to Maverick but looks up and smiles when he catches me staring.
“Hey, Ginny.” Liam approaches with his hands in his pockets. “Are you going over to Adam’s… I mean, your brother’s after this?”
“Uhh.” I look to Reagan and Dakota, who both nod eagerly. “I think so.”
“Cool, I’ll see you there.”
I watch him walk off and then look to Reagan. “I think I’m going to need more lip gloss.”
She digs into her purse and hands it to me. “Keep it. You may need to reapply many times.”
17
Heath
I get a ride back to the apartment with Maverick. I’m riding shotgun while Taryn and Adam sit in the backseat sucking face.
“Is that Liam’s truck?” Adam asks as Mav parks and we get out.
“Yeah, I think so,” I answer, looking over the silver F-150. There’s like a million of these trucks and they all look the same, but this one has a Valley University Hockey license plate.
His brows draw together, and he has a weird look on his face as he passes it. Adam isn’t one to care who comes over—it’s one area he’s actually chill about. He’s got the whole, “everyone’s welcome” mentality when it comes to the apartment.
“Something wrong with Liam being here?”
“He asked for permission to ask out my sister.” He makes a little grunt of annoyance and Taryn smiles and pats his arm.
“Ginny?”
Now I’m the one getting the weird look from Adam. “I only have one sister, dude.”
“Right.”
I hang back, trailing the guys up to our apartment. I pull out my phone and text Ginny.
Me: Where’d you go? You coming by? Halo rematch?
I cringe a little at my borderline needy message, slide my phone back into my pocket, and force myself to chill the fuck out.
After grabbing a beer, I look for Ginny. I don’t see her or Dakota and Reagan. The three of them are inseparable these days. I check my phone, but
