My brother shakes his head. “Someone get this idiot some chamomile tea or something to cut the alcohol.”
I come to a stop when I glance up and see Ryan, again, snickering as he takes a sip of his drink, his dark eyes shifting toward me.
The guy on the couch runs a hand through his light brown hair and whistles low, his smirk spreading. “Who’s the hottie?”
Ryan jabs his elbow into the guy’s stomach, making him grunt out an ‘oof.’ “That’s Nathan’s sister, dumbass,” he grumbles.
The guy’s face drops, eyes wide with surprise. “Oh, shit. Sorry.”
Nathan narrows his eyes. “You’ll be sorry when I kick your ass.”
He chuckles, shaking his head, then extends a hand with a grin. “Nice to meet you, Baby Hayes. I’m Austin.”
“Hi,” I reply, shaking his hand and laughing softly. “Isabella.”
I glance back at Ryan, still watching me, his gaze lingering as he sizes me up.God, that look.It sends a jolt through me, reminding me of how close we were just minutes ago, his body pressing into mine, the faint scent of his cologne still in the air, his lips a breath away.
Nathan nudges me with his shoulder. “I’m gonna grab a drink. You sure you’ll be okay with these idiots?”
I snicker. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
Nathan walks off, leaving me with his teammates—one completely hammered, and the other… the one I almost kissed.
Austin leans forward, a mischievous glint in his eye as he shoots me a wink. “Don’t worry. I don’t mind a little ass-kicking.”
Ryan’s gaze snaps to him, his face hardening. “You’re an idiot,” he mutters. “Weren’t you just talking to a girl?”
Austin shrugs. “She had a boyfriend.”
Ryan scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief before his gaze shifts to me. His eyes soften as he arches a brow, his lips twitching into a smirk. “Wanna get away from this weirdo?” he asks.
I let out a soft laugh and follow him as he takes a seat on the steps, the sound of his sneakers scraping against the wood. “He’s kind of funny,” I tease, turning slightly to glance at Ryan.
Ryan shakes his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes as his lips curl into a playful smile. “Deranged, more like.”
My eyes flicker to the side of his face, watching as he runs a hand through his messy hair. “So, you’re a hockey player?”
He lets out a sigh, like my question’s annoyed him, but the moment fades when he glances at me, his lips twitching into a smirk. “And you’re Coach’s daughter and Nathan’s sister.” He shakes his head, a small scoff escaping him. “Dangerous combination.”
I laugh when he takes a sip of his drink. “You’re scared of my brother?”
Ryan chuckles, his eyes locking onto mine again, and the space between us seems to vanish when his knee nudges mine. “I’m not scared of anyone. I just respect him, is all,” he admits, his smile softening as he swallows, his gaze lingering on every inch of my face. “Besides, it would’ve probably been a mistake.”
Yikes. His words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I force out a laugh, trying to brush it off. “You’re probably right.” I shoot him a smile. “I don’t date hockey players, anyway.”
“Really?” he asks. “Why not?”
I tilt my head, my eyes drifting over his face as I reply, my lips curving into a smirk. “I’ve been around them my whole life. Too many missing teeth and broken noses.”
His laugh is quick, but it’s followed by a smirk. “Well, I have all my teeth.” He flashes a grin that seems to stretch just a little too long, and I catch myself staring at the way his lips curl. The ones I almost kissed.
I swallow, forcing myself to look up, but his eyes catch mine, steady and warm. My pulse quickens. I lean in a little, just enough for him to notice the way the air shifts between us. I catch the faint scent of his cologne, mingled with the hint of alcohol on his shirt, and it’s a heady mix that makes it hard to focus.
“I see that,” I murmur, my voice lower now as I inch closer. The scent of his cologne wraps around me, making it harder to think. “But you’re still off limits.”
His grin widens, and I can see the challenge in his eyes. “Well, that’s good,” he says with a smirk. “Because I don’t date. Period.”
My brows shoot up in surprise. “Ever?”
