“You look nervous.” Sutton blotted her lips on a napkin and threw it into the back seat.
I pulled at my dress and made sure there weren’t any snags in my mesh tights. The last time I wore an outfit like this was when I was a student at Rosewood. I was a different person then, and I distinctly remember feeling confident, but right now, I was uncomfortable.
Sutton turned toward me. “Do you wanna go back to the apartment? Because I’m fine with dipping out.”
“No.” I was quick to answer, and she raised an eyebrow at me. The faint shimmer on her cheek sparkled against the lights on her dash. “I said I’d go.”
“Okay, then.” Her eyelashes curled to meet her eyebrows. “Plus, it’s about time we both stopped being recluses. I’m posting a picture too, because what was it that Taylor said? Something about dressing for revenge?”
I snatched her phone and grinned wickedly. “That needs to be the caption.” I snapped a hot picture, and we laughed like teenage girls as she uploaded it online.
Before we made it all the way into the party, I pulled back on her arm and whispered, “Go find someone your ex would hate, and have some fun. You deserve it.” I shrugged. “Maybe I’ll take another picture, and we can post it too.”
Sutton’s lips split. “Mmm, the best kind of revenge.” Then her smile fell, and she raised an eyebrow. “You should take your own advice. Gray Loretto needs to be put in his place.”
I scoffed. “Maybe. But I’ll never be caught dead with one of my dad’s hockey players.”
“Who said anything about hockey players?” Sutton was staring at a guy I didn’t recognize. He was tall, dark, handsome and had the body of an athlete. When he caught her eye, he did a double take. It took no more than three seconds for him to stop mid-conversation and head directly for her.
“Want a drink?” His gaze drifted down her body before he realized what he was doing. He quickly zipped his eyes back to her face.
She sighed like she was already bored with him. “I don’t need a guy to get me a drink.”
“Well, what do you need a guy for?”
I saw the wheels turning in her head. “Do it,” I whispered, urging her to take what she wanted. At least one of us could give a hockey player a run for his money, and I was certain this guy would do anything Sutton wanted, like purposefully touching her and letting her post the evidence online to irk her superstar NHL ex.
Good for her.
Bexley U parties were the same as they were at Rosewood. The only difference was the change of school colors hanging up in the windows and on the walls. Black and silver instead of red and white. I scanned the party, feeling more unlike myself the longer I stood alone. It was both exhilarating and daunting. At Rosewood, I was immediately greeted by everyone and offered a drink but only because of Gray. At least here I could be anyone I wanted without being in my hockey boyfriend’s shadow and his disapproval of my future dangling in the outskirts of my reach.
As far as I knew, the only thing Bexley U students knew of me was that I was the daughter of their beloved hockey coach—unless there were any figure skaters loitering around. They’d recognize me right away. After all, they’re anxiously waiting for me to join their team in a couple of months.
“You made it.” Sully found me a few minutes after Sutton left, and it didn’t take him long to give me a once-over with his glossed over gaze. “Now, this is the Riley I know.” My black mesh tights suddenly felt a little suffocating, and my boots were heavy. Sully’s warm hand found mine as he slowly spun me around. “You came to slay tonight, yeah? Too bad Gray isn’t here to see what he’s missing out on.”
“I don’t think he’d care.” Gray wanted me for more than a short dress, despite what most thought. He wanted me for my name. He liked the attention I brought with my figure skating success because we were a power couple—his words, not mine. He always wanted the best, and when I was no longer the best, he no longer wanted me.
“Trust me. If he saw you, he’d care.” I smiled at Sully’s compliment. He took it and ran, pulling me farther into the party, like he wanted to show me off. “I wasn’t sure you’d come tonight.”
“I’m not going to stay long, but I told Sutton I’d come, so…”
Sully playfully nudged my shoulder with his. “Not one to back down on plans?”
Not unless it has to do with skating again. I may have been out of my element, but I’d done harder things. Making small talk at a college party was a breeze.
“Do you want a drink?”
“I can get it.” I smiled at his attempt to be a gentleman, but I knew better. I made my way through the chaos of the party in hunt of a fruity seltzer or something I could sip on without feeling the pressure to down the entire thing. A hand landed on my hip, and alarm bells went off until I realized it was just Sully. His whisper coated the side of my neck. “I refuse to let you get your own drink. All it would take is one shady guy to see you in that dress and spike it. Stay put. I’ll grab you one.”
Since I knew Sully, I let him fulfill his need to be noble. I stayed put, like he wanted, and I opened my phone to text the only person I’d kept in touch with after leaving Rosewood.
Me- I’m at a Bexley U party, and I have to admit, I miss my wing girl.
She texted back almost immediately with a picture. Underneath, it read, I miss you more! I felt a pinch of envy as I scanned the photo. It was a classic Mya selfie with her in the middle of a Rosewood party, wearing a tight dress, sans tights, ignoring that the New England states were heading directly for winter. A small wave of hurt replaced the envy as I zoomed in on the background and saw a hand that had touched every part of my body wrapped around one of my former teammate’s tiny waist.
“See? He’s a dick.” Sully’s smooth voice hit the side of my face, and I quickly shut my phone screen off. Heat slapped my cheeks. I wasn’t embarrassed. Instead, I felt shame. I seemed desperate, and that was one thing I was not when it came to Gray. “I hope you like this flavor.”
I grabbed the cup out of Sully’s hand and let the liquid burn my throat as I took a much bigger swig than necessary. Peach. “I’m not picky. Thanks.”
Sully stood beside me long enough for the silence we shared to become sticky. I shifted uncomfortably, regretting coming to the party, until he elbowed me gently in the ribs so I was forced to give him attention. I peered at him out of the corner of my eye and moved a piece of my hair that was in the way. “Yeah?”
He leaned his back against the wall. The party was loud and chaotic around us but his voice was as smooth as could be. “You’re different.”
I tipped my drink back and took another swig because I knew what he was reaching for. Gray’s teammates were there the night I took a fall in front of the entire arena, and they were part of the gasps when I didn’t get up. “How?” I asked cautiously.
“You don’t smile anymore.” He looked at my lips. “Did Gray break your heart that badly?”
I was slapped across the face with embarrassment that quickly turned into resentment. Fucking Gray. It always came back to him.
“He didn’t break my heart, Graham. What is it with males and their cocky belief that they have such control over a female?”
Sully’s eyebrow rose at my snarky response. I watched the excitement take over his mouth as his lips moved into a smile. “Ooh, there she is.”
I was beginning to hate that he knew me from Rosewood. But I knew him too, and I had never seen him talk to a female he wasn’t interested in for more than three minutes. At nearly every Rosewood party, his face was buried in some girl’s neck. “I’m going to find the restroom. I’ll find you in a little bit.”
I moved through the party in an attempt to escape him. Sutton paused her grinding—or dancing—and furrowed her brows at me. I mouthed, “Bathroom.”
I didn’t have to go to the bathroom, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk about Gray, and I surely wasn’t in the mood to obsess over the ice bet that Sully may have been a part of. The only thing that I should’ve been thinking about was how to get back to the girl Sully kept reminding me I was instead of worrying about the guys who frequented the ice more than I did.
Before running into what appeared like a brick wall, I paused my fast walking and glanced up to a guy with golden hair and a chiseled jawline. His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “I can’t let you pass without you telling me your name.”
I didn’t recognize him. He was too clean-cut to be a hockey player, and none of them would be caught dead in a BU football shirt, so I assumed he was a football player. “Riley,” my name barreled out of my mouth. Now move.
I eyed the stairs behind him and saw Aasher casually coming down with the same girl I saw at his apartment the other day. I hurriedly snapped back to attention and stared at the football player, hoping his large frame would hide me. I wasn’t afraid of Aasher by any means, but who knew what insult would fly out of his mouth when he saw me. Maybe I should ask him if he approved of my choice of clothing.
“Are you a freshman?”
“What? No.” The football player was towering over me. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m headed for the restroom.”
Shit, then I have to walk past Aasher.
“Here, follow me.” His hand fell to my wrist, and he began tugging me toward the stairs. “There’s a long line. You can use the bathroom in my room.”
And this was the part where the audience yelled at the naive girl as she followed the hot jock to his bedroom.
“Whoa, man. Where are you taking her?” Sully stepped in between us, and the football player freed my wrist. Thank God. I really didn’t want to make a scene by stomping on this guy’s foot.
“To the bathroom?” His answer was more of a question, and he quickly followed it with an apology. “My bad. Didn’t know she was taken for the night.”
I waited until we were alone again before giving Sully my best what-the-fuck look. “Trying to test the waters even though my dad threatened the entire hockey team and warned you all that I’m off-limits?”
Sully leaned against the banister and looked out into the party. “That depends. Am I going to sink or swim?”
I was surprised at his cool and collected answer. Graham Sullivan was totally relaxed. He turned toward me and raised an eyebrow, waiting for my answer. He is serious. I was beginning to wonder if the few sips of alcohol I’d had was clouding my judgment. Before I could regain my composure, a heavy presence filled the tiny air bubble that we shared. I didn’t have to peek over my shoulder to see who it was because I knew right away.
“Lexy is asking for you.” Aasher’s smooth voice brushed over my skin as he came around and leaned against the banister, blocking my view from Sully.
“I’m not interested.”
“You were interested last night.”
I stepped away from them and tried to sneak off, but when I glanced up to the top landing, I saw the football player watching me. Great. When I brought my gaze back down, Aasher was staring at me. He blinked once before turning back to Sully. “You were interested this morning, too.”
Sully grumbled under his breath, but Aasher kept going.
“And after the game.” He blew air out of his mouth. “Wow. Three times in twenty-four hours? She must be a special one.”
Aasher spun around and blocked me from Sully instead of the other way around. It was obvious that he was trying to play hero again, but I played along. “Did you go to the game, Riley? I don’t remember seeing you in the stands.” He edged his chin and grinned at his teammate. “Better run. There’s Lexy. She’s coming over here.”
Sully cursed under his breath before jogging up the stairs to hide.
“I saw your mom at the game but not you. Not a hockey fan?”
I took Sully’s spot on the banister. “You saw my mom? Are you part of the family? Or just wanting to know my whereabouts so you can report back to my dad?”
Aasher snickered as he threw a fist up to someone walking past. They told him good game, and I silently agreed. Aasher didn’t see me in the stands because I was in the box seat with Coach Lambert’s family. I sort of acted as a nanny to the assistant coach’s three daughters, but in between coloring and playing Simon Says, I caught snippets of black-and-silver jerseys rushing the ice and flinging the hockey puck at Westin’s goalie. Theo Brooks was the driving force behind the win, but Aasher and a few other players definitely lessened the margin of being defeated. Number twelve, who just so happened to be Aasher, caught my eye numerous times as he rushed through the defense.
I hated to admit it, but he was really good.
Aasher adjusted his hat, probably covering his messy hair from the girl he was just with. “What are you doing here?” he asked, clearly annoyed.
I didn’t answer. Instead, I pulled my cup to my mouth and slowly licked the top rim of it before tipping it backward. I had no idea what possessed me to do it other than to piss him off even more.
Aasher’s eyes grew large, flaring with heat. His hand went around the rim of my cup, pulling it into his face. I huffed as he took a sip of it, and when his fingers flexed against mine, I pulled the drink away from his mouth.
“What the hell are you doing?” I asked.
I dropped my attention and watched as his tongue darted out to lick his bottom lip. Ugh.
“Who gave you the drink?” His tone gave way to his anger, and there was a little flex to his jaw.
I put my hand on my hip. “You do know that I’m twenty-one, right? I am allowed to drink. It’s legal.” He’s probably writing this down in his little tattletale book to give to my dad.
“Who gave you the drink, though? Did you pour it yourself, or did Rogers get it for you so he could get you drunk and into his bed?”
I thought fast on my feet. “Who said I needed to be drunk to get into his bed?”
Aasher laughed, but it was as sharp as a knife. “Who gave you the fucking drink, Riley?”
I pictured myself splashing the drink in his face because his tone was full of conviction, and it made me feel like a child.
“You’re worse than my dad,” I mumbled.
Aasher tilted his head. “What was that?”
“I said…” I pushed my cup into his firm chest, and his heart beat wildly against the back of my hand. “That it’s really none of your business.” My fingers lifted, and the cup fell swiftly. If he wasn’t so quick, it would have dropped to the ground and spilled all over his feet.
A grumble left his mouth, but I didn’t stick around to hear what he had to say. I stopped by Sutton and whispered into her ear that I was going to head back to the apartment. She was kind enough to stop playing beer pong to say she was coming with me, but I told her I was totally fine on my own. Sutton was much more comfortable with the party crowd than I was. She was the center of the room with her pretty pink cheeks and a high-pitched laugh. Everyone gravitated toward her.
After making my way to the front door and successfully avoiding everyone, I sucked in the cool night air and let it blanket my hot cheeks. The brick porch was empty, which wasn’t much of a surprise. It was a cold night, and I was in the minority with my love of winter, just like I was in the minority of wanting to get far away from all the jocks at this party.
“You shouldn’t take drinks from guys you don’t know.”
I paused mid-step, pretending like I didn’t hear Aasher. You’ve got to be kidding me. I stared at the houses lining the street, wondering if I could just slip into one of them to avoid him.
“You also shouldn’t be walking by yourself at night.”
“Excuse me?” I said, spinning around quickly. I spied his tall figure leaning against the pine tree outside of the football house with his arms and ankles crossed like he was waiting for me.
Aasher shrugged before pushing off from the bark. He looked like a black cat lurking in the dark with his piercing green eyes locked onto me. “I’m just saying, you shouldn’t take drinks from guys you don’t know. Haven’t you seen any of the hundreds of documentaries out there?” He walked closer to me, despite the fact that I was making strides to get away from him. His hands casually dug into his pockets, and he seemed completely unbothered by my scowl, which only made me scowl deeper. “So many sweet, naive girls taking drinks from guys and ending up without clothes on the next day, unsure of what had happened to them.” His lips flattened before opening his mouth to offend me. “Although, you’re not really sweet, are you?”
“You truly do think I’m stupid, don’t you?” It was a loaded question and one he probably didn’t realize had a double meaning.
Aasher thought for a moment. “Well, I didn’t until I saw you falling for Sully’s bullshit.”
The more I stood in front of Aasher, the angrier I grew. It was the way he was looking at me. As if I asked him to follow me out here. “What is your deal? Are you trying to impress my dad by coming to my rescue or something? Is there a camera out here somewhere?” I looked through the branches of the trees, even moving a low hanging one for dramatic effect. “Are you gonna record yourself walking me home like a gentleman? Or maybe tell him I took a drink from some guy and you swooped in and stopped me from getting roofied?”
His throaty laugh filled the quiet street, and my stomach clenched. “I have no need to impress him any more than I do now with my skill on the ice.”
“I bet you impress him with how humble you are too.” I rolled my eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with being confident. I’m good at hockey, and I know it. I’m proud of it too.”
I understood where he was coming from, from an athletic perspective, but he annoyed me, so I called him out. “You’re cocky, and it’s unattractive.”
Aasher threw his head back with laughter. He had a really good laugh, but I refused to let it show on my features. I kept my lips pinched tight. “You find cocky hockey players unattractive? Good. Then we will have no issues moving forward.”
“Is that what this is about?” I asked, pondering his overbearing attitude with me. It was all making sense. The disapproval of my lack of clothing, the comment about his teammates wanting me, being at this party, taking a drink from one of them. “Your teammates going against your coach’s wishes and fucking me?” Aasher’s eye twitched, and it was like pouring gasoline on a fire. I was starving, and his irritation fed me down to the very last crumb. “So what if they do? It’s really none of your business.”
I watched him very carefully, wondering which direction his concern leaned to. Did he want me for himself so he could win the bet, or was there another reason for his unprompted overprotectiveness?
“Actually, it is my business.” Aasher took a step forward, and I met him halfway. My chest brushed his, and we both paused at the touch. I opened my mouth to say something, but he beat me to it. “Your dad would lose his mind if he found out that one of his players touched you…let alone fucked you. The team isn’t going to be jeopardized because of you.”
The way that word rolled off his tongue should have been illegal. His green eyes flared, and his lips moved with ease. I was so riveted that I almost didn’t notice his hands on my hips. He spun me around and pushed me in the opposite direction of the party. “Go home, Duster. I’ll walk you.”
I stumbled forward and whirled around in a wrath, more annoyed with myself than him. “Stop calling me that.”
To most, I seemed uninterested in hockey, but growing up in the rink and having a father who coached, I knew what Duster meant. A duster was a benchwarmer. It was someone who was “collecting dust.” I refused to give them the time of day—or anyone, for that matter—therefore I was collecting dust. But if Aasher kept it up, I was going to put an end to that nickname just to spite him.
“I’ll stop calling you that.” Good. “As long as you let me walk you home.”
My shoulders fell. “I don’t want you to walk me home. In fact, I think I’d like to go back to the party.” I tried spinning around, but Aasher stepped in front of me, blocking me from the house.
“Are you kidding me?” I asked in a huff. “You’re that afraid I’m going to sleep with one of your overly cocky teammates and ruin the team? You must think very highly of my pussy, Aasher.”
His mouth opened, and a quick rush of hot air came with his surprise, but his comeback came even quicker. “Who’s to say you won’t? I mean, you came over to our apartment half naked the other day. For all I know, you’re a wannabe puck bunny, or maybe you just wanna piss ol’ daddy off.”
My mouth flew open at his insult.
“Go home, Riley. You’ve already annoyed me by taking a drink from some random guy.”
“Sully isn’t some random guy. I’ve known him longer than I’ve known you.” I turned and stomped away because I was arguing with an oversized toddler who was treating me like I was his favorite toy that he was unwilling to share. I picked up my speed at the sound of Aasher’s thumping steps behind me.
“Stop walking so fast.”
Naturally, I started to run.
His laugh followed me, echoing down the street. His long, easy strides caught up to mine quickly, so I stopped abruptly and swung around. “Stop following”—I tried to catch my breath—“me.”
He wasn’t out of breath in the slightest. “Sorry. Not only will your dad kill his players for touching you, but he’ll torture us slowly with back-to-back drills during practice if he finds out that one of us let you walk home alone from a party dressed like that.” I rolled my eyes. I knew he’d mention my dress. “You never know when Sully or Rogers is going to pop out from behind a bush and offer you a ride home in their sports car.”
I scoffed and started to speed walk again. Aasher stayed a few steps behind me, and the only reason I didn’t take off into a full sprint was because no matter how fast I ran, Aasher was going to end up at the same place as me since he was my neighbor.
He continued to half-chase me until I finally slowed my pace. The night grew cooler, and a chill shook me. The mesh tights did nothing to shield me from the wind.
“Here.”
I peeked out of the corner of my eye and saw Aasher’s hoodie dangling from his steady hand for the taking. I silently declined and kept walking, but fine, I’d admit it was a nice gesture.
Too bad he couldn’t get me to surrender because of one nice act. I was fed up with his insults and constant watchful eye. I would never purposefully lure a hockey player into my bed simply to go against my father’s wishes like he was suspecting. That wasn’t to say that I wasn’t going to flirt and tease every last one of them—except Aasher, because it was very clear that he detested me as much as I detested him—so they were tripping over their promises of being the first to have me.
“Just take my hoodie.”
“No.”
“So stubborn,” he mumbled.
“Such a dick,” I mumbled right back.
The moment the tall brick building appeared in front of us, I practically ran to the doors to get away. I reached for the door handle after swiping my card, but of course, Aasher was a step ahead, opening it for me. I raced up the stairs, refusing to get in an elevator with him. His patronizing laugh followed me until I was standing in front of my door, fumbling with my keys to get inside.
“Do you need help?” he asked, slinking up beside me.
I glared at him. “No. I’m just trying to get as far away from you as quickly as possible.” I gritted my teeth and clumsily tried to work my keys into my door but couldn’t because my stupid cold fingers were numb.
“Here.” Aasher’s steady hand fell to mine, and I quickly pulled away, frustrated at the warmth covering my skin. It was as if he’d burned me. My door was unlocked a breath later, and he stepped back into the hallway and ushered me through. “Now stay put.”
A rush of rebellion zipped through me as I stood in my apartment and stared at Aasher as he backed away toward his door. His jaw flexed, and he sighed. “I’m serious. Don’t make my life harder than it already is.”
“No one is asking you to be my shadow, Aasher. Mind your business, and stop assuming that I’m some little minx set out to ruin the hockey team.” I rolled my eyes because did he truly think I was that pathetic? As if the only thing on my mind was how to get his teammates to sleep with me. “I’m the furthest thing from a puck bunny.”
Aasher’s lazy gaze slipped down my body, and I started to sweat. His eyes slowly brushed each of my curves before he snapped to attention and stared right at me. “Prove me wrong, then. Because so far, you seem to be nothing but a little tease.”
I slammed the door to block out his cunning face. I tripped over my untouched skates and cursed under my breath.
I had nothing to prove to Aasher.
But with my eyes set on my skates, I knew I had something to prove to myself.
