“My old man hurt himself trying to rig the boat. I told the stubborn old fool to wait until the morning.”
“You want me to come—”
“No, stay here. Keep an eye on Dayna. She deserves this, just… just don’t let her drink anything else, okay?”
I nodded, a strange sensation rippling through me.
Carson stood and shoved his cell in his jeans pocket. “I don’t need to remind you, but she’s—”
“Off-limits. I got the memo, Coach. I am capable of keeping my hands to myself, you know.”
His expression flickered with doubt. “Just remember, Dumfries, there will be a lot of drills in your future if you fuck her over.”
“I’m not—”
“Hey.” Dayna appeared, her skin glowing, her eyes slightly glazed, and her voice a little breathless. “What’s going on?” She glanced between us, concern pinching her brows.
“I’ve got to take off, but Aiden is going to stick around to make sure you get home okay.”
“Cars, I’m a grown woman. I can take care—”
“Aiden is going to stick around.” He hooked his arm around her neck and dropped a kiss on her head. “Try to behave. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Say hi to your folks for me,” she shouted to him as he walked off.
“How did you know it was his folks?” I asked.
“Because I know Carson.” She smiled fondly, sliding into the booth opposite of me. “I need a drink.” I arched a brow, and she chuckled, “Water,Dad.”
“Are you having fun?”
“I’d be having more fun if you or Carson danced with me.” She batted her eyelashes, all sweet and sexy and pure fucking temptation.
Jesus, what had I gotten myself into?
“Already told you, freckles, I don’t dance.”
“You don’t dance. You don’t date. Whatdoesa guy like you do?”
“I’m not sure you want to know the answer to that.”
Her eyes flared with interest. But she was drunk. And I wasn’t looking to be her rebound, no matter how fucking adorable she looked, gazing at me with that pouty mouth of hers.
“Dayna, you need to stop looking at me like that,” I growled.
“W-what? How am I looking at you?”
This was dangerous territory. But I couldn’t help myself; I couldn’t resist her allure. She was so different from the puck bunnies at Lakeshore U.
“Aiden?” she whispered, still staring at me. Gazing at me with those big doe-eyes.
“You should drink this.” I shoved the bottle of water toward her.
Her expression guttered, the heat that had been building between us blinking out. “Okay.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.
“About what?”