I can’t keep the smirk from my lips as her ocean-blue eyes lock with mine. “You think I’m a star?”
Turning quickly, she scoffs and heads across the room, sitting on my bed. I want to follow her like a little puppy, but I force myself to stay put, watching as she places her hands behind her and leans back, letting her silky brown hair drape over her shoulder.
“I’ve never watched you play,” she says with a bit more cheer than I’d like. “Istronglydislike hockey.”
“I’m offended, Anastasia. I’ll have to get you tickets for rinkside seats at our next home game.”
“I don’t need tickets for an event in my own arena. That’s if you guys don’t fuck up before then and your team gets axed.”
There is almost a bit too much optimism in her tone when she says the wordaxed. It’s like being verbally abused by Tinkerbell.
“Who did you guys terrorize enough to deserve getting your rink trashed?”
This isn’t going to be the last time I get asked this question, so I need to buckle up to take it, even though I hate lying to people. It’s a white lie, but I’m not a fan of starting a friendship with a negative. “We haven’t done anything, so I’m not sure.” Her eyes narrow because she clearly doesn’t believe me, so I panic. “I promise, Anastasia.”
Her eyes soften and I immediately feel like shit.Why the fuck did I promise?
“Should we head back downstairs?”
“Sure. Robbie has probably charmed the pants off your friend by now.”
She chuckles and it’s borderline embarrassing how happy I feel finally getting her to laugh. “Trust me, Sabrina is more than happy to be charmed by a hot guy.”
This time I’m smart enough to walk in front of her down the stairs, resting our interlocked hands on my shoulder for her to use me to balance. It’s not until I’m on the bottom step I see her
boyfriend—who I’d forgotten existed—standing there, staring at me like all hell is about to break loose.
FIVE | ANASTASIA
Nate stops abruptlyin front of me, almost sending me tumbling down the stairs.
“What’re you doing?” I ask, confused when he practically rips his hand from mine. He steps to the side, and as soon as his massive body is out of the way, I see what he can see.
“Your boyfriend looks like he wants to murder me.”
“Well, that’s odd,” I muse, moving so we’re on the same step. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
He’s right, though; Aaron does look ready to murder someone. It doesn’t change as he approaches me and Nate when we step off the last stair. “Hey,” I chirp. “I thought you were staying home tonight.”
Aaron is still staring at Nate, even when I place my hand on his arm and give it a squeeze. Aaron’s eyes finally meet mine, eyebrows raised. “What were you doing upstairs with him?”
I feel Nate beside me, the ghost of his touch hovering around the bottom of my back. I decide to play nice instead of tearing Aaron a new one for being so weird and rude in front of an audience like I want to. “Aaron, this is Nate. Nate, this is Aaron, my skating partner.”
The testosterone oozing out of them is practically palpable as they shake hands, each of their hands turning white when they try to crush each other’s bones.Pathetic.When they eventually let go and the blood returns to their fingers, I turn to Aaron and force a fake smile, even though he doesn’t deserve it. “You good? Where have you been?”
“I asked you first.”
“I was peeing, is that a sufficient answer?” I snap, finally losing my composure.
It’s been a long-ass day and I’ve already had to tolerate Aaron’s bullshit once, when he decided Ryan was public enemy number one after the meeting.
Ryan wanted to take me for food, you know, a normal activity between friends. Aaron kissed his teeth as he reminded me I have an outfit to fit into for regionals. Like I could ever possibly forget, especially being around him. Ryan was pissed, so told Aaron if he couldn’t lift me, he needs to work harder in the gym.
Of course, Aaron didn’t like that so fired back, and in the end, I was so tired of the drama Ryan ended up giving me a ride home. Unfortunately, my chicken salad didn’t taste as good with the knowledge that Ryan would have convinced me to eat a burger or something.
So now I’m irritated and hungry, a bit drunk, and once again watching Aaron be an ass and embarrass me.
Aaron quirks a brow, clearly not believing I was using the bathroom. “Thought you were collecting team captains like Pokémon. Where’s Rothwell? He’s normally the one draped all over you.”