Page 34 of Redeeming the Villain
“Let’s go, boys. Big game tonight!” Griff hollers. “You guys done bickering?”
Laughter breaks out among us as I finish getting changed. “I suppose.”
“Good. Because we have some ass to kick later. Not our own, preferably.”
We finish getting ready and take the ice, preparing for the battle ahead of us tonight. No matter what small bickering moments happen between us, we’re a team. A family. Tonight, we are going to destroy the Royals.
* * *
After running through a few different drills and lines, we’re dismissed.
The chilly air feels nice when I walk out of the arena with the boys as we head to our classes. It seems to be colder earlier this year than normal. But I’m not mad at it. I’ve always preferred it over the heat.
Blair and Lumi seem to appear out of nowhere, joining our group.
I’ve been waiting for Blair to scold me for scaring Alora off the night of the Kensington party. But the more time that goes by, the more I think that she hasn’t mentioned that incident to Blair. I don’t know whether to be grateful to Alora or not.
The wave of rage and jealousy that came over me when I saw her with Garrett … it surprised me, coming out of nowhere like a bolt of lightning to my body.
But what struck me even harder was how I felt when she was pressed up against me with her back to my chest. Howgoodit felt. And how much I hated myself for feeling it.
But I’m a mess when it comes to her. Uncontrollable and raw. A tornado, wreaking havoc on everything around me. I don’t know how to change it or fix it.
All I know is that every time I’m near her, I feel like I’m touching a live wire. But I don’t know if it’s because she makes me feel alive like no one has before or if it’s because I feel like I’m being electrocuted to death.
Fuck, even thinking about her has my brain scrambled.
We head into Ivy Hall, Blair leading the way to the classroom—of course knowing the route by heart. It’s nice that we all have this class together—Blair, Lumi, Griffin, Asher, Dean, Finn, and Elias. I might not have any interest in history but at least we can suffer together.
You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.
I can’t escape her if I try.
Sitting in the front row is none other than Alora with a golden retriever in the space next to her.
What’s with her in this dog? If she wanted one to flaunt around like an accessory, she could’ve at least gotten something smaller to be respectful to the people around her.
But I’ll save that taunt for another day.
Blair does the one thing that I was hoping she wouldn’t—beelines it straight to the seat next to Alora. Lumi goes to her left.
Griffin walks to the second row, all of us guys following suit, sitting behind the girls. And of course, Alora’s positioned directly in front of me.
If it wasn’t for Blair, we wouldn’t have been nearly as punctual, and maybe, if we had shown up later, these seats would have already been taken, and I wouldn’t have been forced to be near her.
She doesn’t acknowledge my presence or anyone else’s, except for Blair and Lumi. But I should’ve known that wouldn’t mean that the guys wouldn’t acknowledge her.
Asher leans forward, resting on the pull-up half desk that he flipped up over his lap. “Alora, I didn’t know we’d be blessed with your presence in this class.” He doesn’t skip a beat. “I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well and had to leave the party early. I was hoping to see more of you.”
“… see more of you.”I know exactly what parts he’s hoping to see, and something about the thought of them together has me wanting to storm out of here.
Knowing that he’s only doing this to push my buttons, I pinch the spot right above his knee and dig my fingers into his flesh. He sits back in his seat.
You know, I don’t remember Asher being as much of a pain in the ass last year. I worry that maybe I rubbed off on him.
Alora turns to face us, her blonde hair cascading down her back in loose waves as she tilts her head back.
She flashes a big smile at Asher … actively not looking my way.
