AVA
“You don’t like hockey?” Grace asks, glancing at me.
“It’s not like that,” I retort, tossing nachos into my mouth. I take my time finishing them while she keeps staring at me. I expect her to turn her attention back to the game, but she doesn’t. Fuck me.
“Not like what, Ava?” She laughs, and I involuntarily smile.
Life is so strange. The first time Layla introduced me to this girl, I was more than hostile. I didn’t like her, and the feeling was mutual. Little by little, things have started to change. We watch the game together and talk about personal stuff. I mean, discussing your favorite sports can be considered personal stuff, right? Jeez, I’m so out of my element these days that I want to die. Quickly and suddenly.
Rest in peace, Ava Mason. You left this world too young, taking with you your mind-blowing beauty and sexy-as-hell body.
Well, I definitely won’t die from being shy.
“I like watching hockey, especially when I can cheer for someone I know,” I muse. My gaze follows Drake on the ice. He’s an amazing player, really skillful and very attentive to everything around him. I can honestly say the same about the whole team. Even the asshole.
“You spent most of the game reading a book on your phone.” Layla nudges me with her elbow, and I grimace.
“It’s kinda boring.” God. Ava, you know better. You’re a perfect liar, but this? This sounds like a freaking fat burrito full of bullshit.
Grace and Layla exchange a look and then burst out laughing. Loud and contagious. People start glancing at us, and I’m ready to disappear. This is exactly why I didn’t want to be here.
Since I returned to campus on Monday, I have been keeping a low profile. Spending my time in my cocoon, counting the days till I can go back home. How on Earth I let my best friend convince me to stay? I have no clue. It’s like she jinxed me or something. There is no other rational explanation for sure.
In all honesty, the game is intense, and as far from boring as possible. The Great Lake Panthers are incredible, and I’m not exaggerating. The players have such an eager desire to win that it’s contagious. The whole place is filled with cheers, hoots, and excited chatter. I’m drawn to the rink. I follow all the guys with my eyes and curse inwardly if they lose the puck. It’s a home game, the first in the season, and they are ready to rip their rival a new one, literally. A few times, things got a bit violent, but our guys weren’t on the receiving end, so I didn’t worry much.
I do love hockey…but I hate the ice and all the memories it brings.
Suddenly, Layla drapes a hand over my shoulder and pulls me close. “I’m glad you’re here. I know it’s hard for you, so I appreciate you agreeing to come.” I turn my head, and we lock eyes. “Watching Drake play without you was weird.”
“Watching your brother on the ice is highly entertaining. Always,” I say with a smile, relaxing into her embrace. “I have no idea where he hides this side of him in real life. A teddy bear turned into a grizzly.”
“That’s one of the reasons why I was crushing on him,” Grace mutters, and I turn my head to look at her. “I bet he’s hot in bed.”
Layla groans and pushes me away. “Please, not another your-brother-is-great-in-bed talk. I’m still recovering from images Ava planted in my head three weeks ago.”
“You’re pathetic. You’ve heard Drake and his friends talk about their girls so many times, so you shouldn’t care about it,” I tell her, and she narrows her eyes, smacking her lips into a tight line. I poke my tongue out at her and whip my head to look at the ice for a brief moment.
“I wonder…” Grace trails off, and I sneak a glance at her, making her falter. “Um, what it’s like growing up surrounded by hockey players.”
“Being a hockey player doesn’t make them any different. They’re just like you and me, like our classmates, like people watching the game,” I say, knitting my brows together.
“It’s just… I don’t know how to act around the guys from the team, you know? You and Layla are used to her brother and his friends, but I have a feeling I don’t fit in. They’ve known me for a year, but not even a single guy from the team has tried to hit on me,” Grace mutters under her breath as I lean closer. “I’m hanging out with them because of your best friend, and it’s also the reason why I’m as single as a Pringle.”
“But Layla is hooking up with Trey, and he’s not from the team,” I point out, and I instantly realize I made it worse. Like I said it’s not just guys from the team who are indifferent to her, but others too. “Oh God. That came out wrong—”
“Nah, I get it.” She blushes and looks away. “I’m awkward as hell when it comes to guys. Like, really awkward. I say stupid things, I laugh too loud, and I always pick the wrong guy.”
“Moore was definitely an asshole,” Layla adds without even looking at us. I slap her knee, and she tsks loudly. I’m trying to get to know her roommate, just like she asked me to, and her remarks aren’t helping.
I turn and let my eyes roam over Grace’s face. She’s got a sprinkle of freckles covering her nose, big hazel eyes with flecks of blue, and a heart-shaped mouth. She’s very cute, and I’m surprised to hear she doesn’t know how to use that in her favor.
“But you’re beautiful,” I say, making her cheeks blush harder. “You can have any guy you want.”
“You sure you aren’t talking about yourself?”
“I’m not interested in dating hockey players—or dating anyone, for that matter.”
“I’m not interested in hockey players anymore either,” Grace scoffs, moving away from me. “I like my classmate, but it’s absolutely hopeless.”
“Look.” I put my palm on her knee. “Hockey players or not, things are pretty simple. There are dudes like Clay, who will fuck anyone with a pretty face. The ones like Moore, who finds himself some girl to prey on and won’t stop until she’s in his bed. Then there are guys like Drake, who has a heart of gold but always looks at how hot girls are, not noticing that they are full of crap and want him only because he’s a gorgeous hockey player.”
“Interesting perspective.” Grace scratches the bridge of her nose. “What do you think about Colton?”
I think back to every interaction I’ve had with the asshole, from the day we met to him leaving me his bomber. I still keep it among my things, tucked away from prying eyes as if it’s a treasure. As if I suddenly lost my mind, because I don’t have any explanation for my behavior.
I open my mouth as my eyes land on him. “He’s closed off, has a small circle of people he lets close to him. He’s arrogant, short-tempered, unnecessarily rude, and his ego…God. It’s taller than the Empire State Building. I have never met anyone more confusing than him, because one second I think he hates me, but the next it’s like all he wants—” I snap my mouth shut, biting my tongue so hard I have to close my eyes from the sudden pain.
Grace is silent, watching me with curiosity. “He wants what?”
To fuck me like there’s no tomorrow. I swallow the words and master a smile. “He wants to be friends with me.”
“Oh my God.” She laughs so loud her whole body shakes uncontrollably, and now I think she might be right. She is too loud. “You’re a fucking gem, Ava. It’s refreshing to spend time with you.”
“You might regret your words later. I’m too wild to handle.” I lean in close, peer at Grace, and grin.
“Can you teach me to be wild?” Grace cocks an eyebrow at me.
I didn’t want to go anywhere after the game, even if Layla was on my back like some spoiled brat, but now? Now this idea entertains me, even if deep down I don’t understand why she wants to change herself. “How about we start at tonight’s party?”
“I’m all in. You have no idea how much I want to hang out with you.”
“I heard that,” Layla whisper-yells, gawking at Grace and me with her brows pinched together.
I curl a hand over my best friend’s shoulder and inch toward her ear. “You wanted me to be friendly with your roommate. This is me being friendly. Chill.”
“Fine,” she grumbles quietly, and I kiss her on the cheek. “You two should watch the game. It’s already close to the end.”
“Whatever you want, babe.” I move away and return my focus to the ice rink. Our team is up five against one over Boston U, and it’s the last four minutes of the third period. Clay is our goalie and he rocks this game, playing impossibly well. He’s funny and nice to be around. At the same time, he’s not my type. I would love to have a friend like him—a friend. Not a friend with benefits. For that matter, I already have Drake.
I close my eyes and groan quietly. This party is going to be a disaster, right? If the thought of another night with my best friend’s brother crosses my mind, then I’m doomed. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today, but I know this mood too well. If I don’t end the day in tears, I will be extremely surprised.
