Dramatic?
Maybe.
I feel like I’m entitled to some dramatics.
The bus doors hiss closed, and we pull out of the parking lot. In no time, we’re stopped in front of the stadium.
The hockey team comes out with their duffle bags slung over their shoulders. The driver hops out and opens the storage doors, and I watch them each toss their bags in and then climb on the bus. Their coach watches them all carefully.
My focus is drawn toward Greyson. Of course. He’s one of the last ones out. He wears black slacks and a maroon sweater that clings to his lithe form. It really accentuates his body, unfortunately.
I think he’d do better wearing a paper bag.
I try not to stare at him too hard, convinced he’s going to feel my gaze on him. I force myself to sit back in my seat.
Jess and Amanda are craned around, chatting to Michelle and the girl beside her. Lucy, I think. She has teal hair, pulled back in a bun on top of her head, and wicked eyeliner. She smiles a lot. I don’t know her very well, but she seems genuinelynice.
Some of the players—skaters who don’t get a ton of ice time, I think—slip past us to sit in the way back. They barely acknowledge us.
More fill in the middle, and then Greyson, Knox, and Steele are coming down the aisle.
Greyson’s gaze fixes on me. He doesn’t have much of a reaction, except the corners of his lips tip up. Just for a second.
Fucking hell.
I don’t really know what I was thinking, subjecting myself to two hours of this. Well, notthis. But whatever Greyson has in store for me, I know it’s not going to be pleasant.
Or it’s going to be really fucking pleasant… in a humiliating way.
I gulp, and my stomach knots.
Willow squeezes my hand. Knox has already probably made eyes at her—or she told him she was coming along. I miss his reaction as he slides into one of the seats toward the front.
Steele lifts his eyebrows and grins. “Hey, Violet.”
I suppress my cringe.
He drops into the seat behind me, then leans forward. “What a nice surprise.”
“Yep. Party bus was full.”
He smiles knowingly. “Uh-huh. Hey, you didn’t text me back.”
Willow chokes behind me.
“I’ve been busy.” I don’t bother looking to see that Amanda is glaring holes in my head, too. I can feel it from here. Also, I forgot about her crush on him.
Damn it. That means I take the cake for shittiest friend. I literally didn’t think of anything except using him when I put my number into his phone. But I can’t very well say that to her, can I?
Not right now.
Miles comes down the aisle and pauses beside Steele. “Hey, man. Greyson wanted to talk to you.”
Steele snickers. “Did he?” He leans back in his seat, kicking his legs out. That move shouldn’t be sexy, but it is. Every time. Especially on someone attractive like Steele, whose abs could probably have their own zip code.
I mean, Greyson’s could, too, but he’s not in front of me right now. And when have I paid attention to him shirtless? Never. See? Greyson isn’t on my mind. And he’s definitely not messing with my head at all.Not me.
“I’m comfortable here,” Steele continues. “Talking to my friend, Violet.”