“We’re going to be late! Let’s go. Come on, come on.” Reagan appears in the doorway to my room and claps her hands when she finds me sprawled across the bed.
“I can’t believe you talked me into going out tonight.”
Sitting up, I fight with my favorite knee-high boots to get them on. The battle ends with me out of breath, but successfully ready.
She checks her flawless makeup in my mirror, carefully putting on the final touches by applying deep red lipstick to her plump lips. She has a round face with high cheekbones, and when she smiles at her reflection, it lights up her beautiful green eyes. The ripped black jeans hug her thighs and the wide v-neck sweater falls off her shoulders, accentuating all her generous curves to complement her pear shape. Her gaze flicks to me.
“Girl. Don’t you dare back out on me. I rarely get Saturday night off.” She offers her lipstick. “Want some?”
“I’m good. You look hot.”
She winks and fluffs her strawberry blonde curls. “You know it, bestie. And so do you. What do I always say?”
I love her confidence. She never lets anything stop her from living life and never fails to pull me out of a bad mood. No one is allowed to rain on her parade.
When we became roommates freshman year, she was a vital support system to help me work through Johnny’s betrayal. If I didn’t have a friend like her to talk to, I might never have put myself back out there.
“We live life with good laughs, good books, and good shoes sharp enough to stomp anyone who tries to diminish our light.” I recite the mantra she’s been boosting both of us up with since we met.
“That’s my girl. Let’s go have fun. We deserve it. You deserve it after working your ass off to get to this point.”
She’s right. I front loaded so many of my credit hours so I could have a lighter schedule this year. I don’t have to bail out on her to study. It feels like I can actually breathe and let my hair down.
Reagan holds out an arm and I hook mine around it with a smile. “Let’s.”
A blast of nippy November air hits us as we leave the building. She shudders, but I’m fine. The cold feels refreshing.
“Ugh. Thankfully it’s not a long walk,” she says.
“Where’s the party? You didn’t tell me.”
I pull her to a stop, really hoping we’re not going off campus.
“Pi Kappa Alpha.”
I relax. Frat and sorority parties aren’t my favorite, but as long as it’s not the hockey team’s party, I’m fine.
“Really?”
She smirks. “Well, some of my friends from class are going and promised I’d see them there.”
“Cool.”
“But,” she drawls. “There’s also this Pike with serious himbo energy that’s been coming by the bar whenever I have a set to make moon eyes at me while I sing. There’s not much going on behind those pretty brown eyes, but he’s fun to flirt with and his dick is huge, look.”
“Don’t you dare. Reagan!”
I struggle with her as she tries to show me her phone, both of us laughing. She wins, waving a photo in front of my face that has decent lighting as far as dick pics go, but the perspective is questionable.
“Are you sure that’s not a trick of the camera angle?”
“Oh, I’m sure. I thought the same thing, so I demanded better proof. Got a nice video.”
I huff in amusement. “So we’re going to this party and you’re going to leave me?”
She gasps, laying a hand across her cleavage. “I’m offended. When have I ever done that?”
“Okay, never. If you want to, though, go for it. I’m not standing in the way of your hookup.”
“Thanks. We’ll see how the night goes, but we’re arriving together and I plan on leaving with my hot best friend.”
She waggles her brows and nudges me. Our laughter echoes around us and we draw curious looks from other people walking through campus, but neither of us care.
When we reach Greek Row, people spill out of the frat house onto the lawn. The music is louder when we head inside and she pulls a face.
“Oh no. I’m definitely hijacking their system. This playlist is not it. Can you believe this is what these guys think they need to play to get laid? Honestly.”
I can’t contain laughter as we navigate the crowded rooms. “You’re the music queen, not me.”
Once we have drinks, we make our way to the biggest room in the house. A guy hanging out on the couches pops up to greet us. I roll my lips between my teeth because all I can think is that I know what his dick looks like.
“Hey, you came!” He looks Reagan up and down in obvious appreciation, holding out a hand for her. “Come meet my boys.”
She gives him a confident, flirtatious smile, then turns to me. “You okay? I’ll be back in ten after I say hi.”
“Go ahead.”
The Pike nods at me with his chin. “Your friend can come, too.”
I hold a hand up. “No thanks. I’m fine here for now.”
Reagan swats at the guy when he tries to pull her away, leaning in. “You sure? He might have cute friends.”
My shoulders shake with amusement. “Yes. Standing alone for five minutes at a party doesn’t bother me. I might go see who else is here. I saw a guy I partnered with for my bio lab last fall. Go on.”
“Okay. I’ll come find you in a bit!”
I’m not alone for more than two minutes before someone saunters up next to me. He leans into my personal space, bombarding me with beer breath.
“What’s up? I’m Justin.”
“Hi,” I reply shortly.
When I don’t offer any other conversation, he frowns and hits his vape pen.
“What’s your name?” he tries.
Scanning the room for anyone else I know to go talk to instead, I freeze. My eyes lock with Easton’s as he comes in with a couple of other guys. His attention flicks to Justin and his pleasantly surprised expression shifts into something hard and jealous.
He bumps his fist with one of the guys with him and heads in my direction. My heart skips a beat, but it’s not in disappointment.
Justin notices Easton. He stiffens and grumbles something under his breath, moving off before Easton reaches us. “You could’ve said you had a boyfriend. Later.”
Easton doesn’t take his eyes off me as he makes his way to me. With each step, his grin grows bigger. A rush of butterflies swoops in my stomach. When he stops in front of me, I tilt my head, propping a hand on my hip.
“I should’ve known I’d run into you here, captain.”
The edges of his mouth curl in a charming smile as his gaze roams over me, lingering on the knee-high boots encasing my legs. “Can’t escape me.”
“I really can’t.” Hiding my entertained expression behind my cup, I take a drink. “Who were those guys you came in with?”
“Guys from my mass media class. I wasn’t planning to stay long. We played an afternoon game and I’ve got an assignment to finish for another class on Monday.” He cocks his head, teeth dragging across his lip. “That was before I knew you’d be here, though.”
A smile breaks free. “Same, but I got talked into coming since mine’s not due until Friday.”
He smirks. “I see how it is. You’ll go to this party, but you won’t come to ours?”
I shrug, still smiling. “Maybe I had a better offer for this one.”
“Is that so?” Easton steps closer, eyes narrowing. “Which guy was it? Edwards? Nah, never mind. That guy could never score you. You’re way too good for him.”
I bite my lip, enjoying watching him work through his suspicions. “And you think you could score me?”
He pauses, gaze flickering between my mouth and my eyes. “It’s no secret by now I want to, baby.”
Tingles spread across my skin in a rush. I gulp my drink to hide my reaction.
“It wasn’t a guy. My roommate invited me. There she is.” I point Reagan out across the room as she laughs, leaning into the guy sliding an arm around her.
The tense set of Easton’s shoulders relaxes. “Oh. Reagan’s your roommate?”
“Since freshman year. Sorry. Best friend trumps anything else every time.”
“Fair.” He chuckles, brushing his arm against mine as he angles his head lower to talk near my ear. “At least I don’t have to go fight someone else for trying to get with you.”
A shiver flies down my spine. It’s followed by a pulse of heat that has me pressing my thighs together at the thought of him in a fight over me.
I take another sip of my drink to give myself a moment to recover.
He leans against the wall, bracing his legs at a wider stance so he’s not towering over me as much. Amused, I mirror him, resting my back against the wall beside him, crossing one leg over the other at the ankles. The corner of his mouth lifts.
“So if you know Reagan, how come I haven’t seen you around The Landmark before that night we played your brother?”
“I don’t know,” I reply airily. “I avoid places that involve hockey players unless I know they won’t be there. Plus, I’ve been a little more preoccupied with studying my ass off. How come I haven’t seen you around the library?”
He rumbles faintly, playfully narrowing his eyes. “You said going to the game was a one-time thing to see your brother play. So what is it about hockey that you’re not a fan of?”
“I actually really like the game. I grew up not far from Boston going to games with my family. I loved how fast and exciting it was.” I angle towards him like I’m divulging a secret. “It’s the players that ruin it for me.”
Struck with an impulsive urge, I ruffle his hair. It’s thick and softer than I imagined it would be. He chuckles, letting me get away with it for a moment before catching my wrist. His blue eyes gleam, holding mine.
Then he tickles my sides.
I yelp, darting back. He steadies me with a hand on my arm to keep my drink from sloshing over.
“Careful.”
His touch leaves my arm tingling. I suppress the urge to shiver.
“Thanks.”
“So the players are the problem, huh?” He braces his shoulder against the wall this time, facing me with interest.
I squint. “What’s that smug grin for?”
“Just figuring you out. Now I know more about you, like you’re ticklish as fuck, and you don’t actually hate hockey. See? We have a lot in common.”
I huff, the side of my mouth quirking up. “Good luck with that.”
“I told you before, I like hard work. I might be an athlete, but I enjoy studying. Committing something to memory. Learning all about it.”
He lets the statement hang between us with the implication that I’m the one he’s studying. His fingers brush mine and I don’t pull away.
“What are we talking about over here?” Reagan returns from the other side of the room. “Hey Easton.”
He pushes off the wall we’re leaning on to give her a friendly hug. “Hey.”
“Where are the rest of the guys?”
He shrugs. “Noah might be here. He hits the gym with some of the guys from the frat.”
She peers between us, catching my eye to give me a yes girl smile. I shake my head, laughing her off.
“Squeeze in. Let’s take a photo,” she says.
“Sure,” he says.
Before I have the chance to react, she has her phone up. With a wry exhale, I hug her shoulders from behind since she’s shorter than me.
Easton moves in behind me, keeping a small breadth of space between us so I’m hyper aware of everywhere we’re not touching. I stare at the small version of us on the screen. His attention is on me rather than posing for the camera.
His masculine scent fills my nose, clean and fresh with a hint of musk. It’s heady. Another wave of tingles spreads through me, and I slide my lips together as his chest grazes my back.
Finally, he looks at the camera. Can he see the ways he’s affecting me written all over my face? I hope not.
“Ok, ready?” Reagan prompts.
When he steps away, my back goes cold from the loss of his warmth.
“It’s cute! I’ll text it to you guys,” she says.
My phone vibrates in the back pocket of my jeans while I’m trying to recenter myself. She captures my hand, squeezing.
“Hey, are you okay? Your face is all red.”
Oh, great.
Easton leans in to check, features morphing with concern. I duck my head.
“I’m okay. Too many people in here, I think. I’m getting overheated.”
“Oh yeah, I feel you.” She fans herself. “Let’s go find some water.”
Someone calls Easton’s name, stopping him from coming with us. I offer him a small wave, following Reagan.
Once we get two bottles of water, I run into two girls in my animal sciences class. Reagan’s frat boy finds us while we’re talking to them. When the girls see other people they know, the guy flirts with Reagan, whispering in her ear to get her to smile.
I catch her eye.
We exchange a conversation completely through facial expressions and subtle gestures, understanding each other with ease. She’s fine, so I’m going to search through the house for an open bathroom while she’s occupied.
I’m directed upstairs by one of the house members, passing a few locked doors where people are definitely having a good time before finding it.
Easton’s people watching alone when I come downstairs. Instead of finding Reagan, I wander over to join him.
“I thought you weren’t staying long?”
The corners of his blue eyes crinkle in pleasure. “Didn’t want to leave without seeing you again.”
A flutter tickles my stomach. “I was going to go find Reagan, but I think I’ll chill here for a bit.”
He angles his body towards mine. “Yeah?”
“As long as you quit trying to get me to another one of your hockey games.”
He captures the finger I point at him. I pull, but he holds it, lips twitching.
“How about I ask for your number instead?”
I lift my brows. His easygoing grin stretches.
“Asking as a friend.”
“A friend who is forward about wanting to get with me.”
“But who also knows damn well you have the final say on that. We can hang out like this otherwise, right? We’ve shared donuts.”
“Oh, so that makes us friends?” I ask slyly.
He’s still holding on, playing with my fingers. He uses it as leverage to tug me closer.
“Definitely.”
“Okay. Friends.”
I’m reluctant to admit it, but he’s fun to hang out with. He keeps making me laugh and I like the good natured bickering.
A commotion sounds behind me and Easton reacts in a split second. He takes me by the waist to swing me out of the way of someone spilling their drink. It puts my back against the wall with him shielding me. He leans in, eyes roving over me.
“They almost bumped into you. Did any beer get on you?”
I shake my head, throat dry from his grasp on my waist and the intimate proximity. “Looks like they got your shoulder instead.”
He shrugs without checking, not tearing his stare from mine. I wet my lips and his attention falls to them. My heart thuds.
I tilt my head a fraction and he draws in a sharp breath, massaging my waist with his big hands. My lashes flutter and I feel the warmth of his breath on my mouth as he dips his head lower.
Rowdy shouts from the next room break the moment.
We stare at each other. He goes still, eyes bouncing between mine. His brows pinch together. I swear I hear a frustrated rumble vibrating in his chest.
It hits me that I was about to kiss him, causing my stomach to bottom out.
The shouting turns tense. It sounds like a fight, and it’s drawing a crowd.
“Oh, shit.” Easton takes a step away, then hesitates. He cups my face with a resigned expression. “I think that’s Madden getting into it again. I’ll be right back. Wait here for me?”
“Okay.”
Relief crosses his face before he pushes through the crowd to find the source of the shouting. Spotting one of his teammates, he motions for the guy to join him. The fight must die off quickly, because once they disappear from my sight, someone turns up the music and the tension leaves the air.
Reagan finds me not long after. “Hey, ready to go?”
Reluctance washes over me. I told Easton I’d wait, but he didn’t come back right after breaking up the fight. Chewing on my lip, I nod.
“Um, let me just say goodbye.”
“Sure. Let’s do a drive by.”
We make our way through the frat house. I scan each room for him without any luck.
I give up searching for Easton and trail after Reagan to the door when she finishes her goodbyes. The two guys blocking the door make me pull up short. One of them is Easton, and the other must be his teammate. He’s muscle-bound with dark brown hair and a brooding expression.
“Keep that short fuse in check,” Easton says. “You good now?”
He drops his gaze. After a moment he gives a jerky nod.
“I’m done for the night,” he says flatly.
“Okay, man.” Easton squeezes his shoulder.
“Hey,” I say.
Easton’s attention flies to me. “Hey. I was just coming to find you.”
“We’re heading out.”
“Oh. Already?”
“I’m ready to crash.” Reagan leans her head on my shoulder. “Ohh, we should do pancakes tomorrow. Yes? Yes.”
“Fine,” I say with a laugh.
Easton and his teammate follow us out. He buffs my arms against the cool night air when I linger on the front steps to the frat house. I can’t help closing my eyes for a second. He smells nice and his big hands are comforting.
He studies my face. “Want us to walk you back to your place?”
My stomach tightens. If I let him walk back with me, I think I’d invite him inside for the kiss we almost shared. I swallow thickly and shake my head.
“We’re okay. Thank you. Stay and have fun.”
The corners of his mouth tip up and he releases a soft chuckle. “Nah. No point.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not there.”
My pulse jumps. I twist the strap of my clutch around my fingers to keep myself from reaching out when he retreats from my space to hold an arm out so I can go down the steps.
Ducking my head in the hope it hides my blush, I hurry to Reagan, hooking my arm with hers.
“See you,” he calls.
“Bye, boys. See you at The Landmark.” Reagan waves, snickering when I pinch her side.
