I choke out a laugh, shaking my head. “Hate to burst your bubble, but none of the sort is ever going to happen.”
“What?” Her brows furrow. “Why not? You seemed like you were having a good time.”
We were. Until my brother showed up, and suddenly everything got complicated.
I shrug, trying to brush it off. “We’re just friends.”
5
RYAN
“Nailed it!”
I skid to a stop as Austin lands a shitty ass spin, lifting his stick in the air as he lets out heavy breaths. Guess he’s pretending to be a figure skater today.
Seeing as we lost the game last week—no fucking surprise there—he’d be better off focusing on drills, not spins.
Logan skates circles around him, arching a brow. “Is this hockey practice or a circus, because you look like a clown, my guy.”
Nathan chuckles. “I’ve seen more coordination from a toddler with a sugar high.”
Austin lets out a scoff, crossing his arms, his stick lodged under his armpit. “This shit’s harder than it looks. You’ll all be jealous when I’m famous.”
Cole shakes his head, his mouth moving as he chews gum. “Famous for taking out half the team with your wild turns?” he replies. “You scared the rookie away.”
“I’m not scared,” Logan replies with a roll of his eyes. “Just didn’t want to lose a tooth. I’m still young. I’ve got a lot going for me.”
Nathan scoffs. “I’m sure. Like being a fuckboy for once.”
Logan clicks his tongue, giving him a grin. “I prefer the term, part time lover.”
Coach’s sharp whistle cuts through the rink. “Alright. Rhodes, stop spinning and get your ass to those cones. Ellis, take that fucking gum out of your mouth. Rest of you, stop fucking around and get to warmups. Now.”
Austin lets out a low groan as he turns around and skates around the cones, doing some tricks, because he just can’t help himself.
“Stop fucking around before coach rips you a new one.”
He glances over his shoulder, shooting me a wink. “You know you’re secretly jealous of my moves.”
I let out a snicker, tapping his back. “It’s good to have dreams, buddy.”
I hear a laugh in the distance—a sweet, light sound I instantly recognize. My gaze snaps up, drawn to the entrance where Isabella is smiling up at her dad, his arms wrapped around her.
Haven’t seen her since the party, and goddamn, she looks good. Too fucking good to be at an ice rink with a bunch of sweaty hockey players. What the hell is she doing here?
My eyes drift to her lips as she talks to her dad. I’m so caught up in watching them that, before I know it, my foot catches, and I stumble—crashing into Cole. “Woah, watch it!” Cole grunts as I land half on him, my knee jamming into his back.
“Fuck, sorry,” I mutter, pushing myself up. I hold out my hand to help him to his feet.
He just stares back at me, shaking his head, his dark eyes hardened. “The hell was that?”
“I… slipped.” I glance up again, and Isabella’s still there, laughing with Coach. Her dimples make her smile even more infectious, and I can’t help but look for just a second longer.
“Damn, Coach,” Austin whistles from behind me, skating to a stop. “I thought you were some hard ass, not a teddy bear. Where’s my hug?”
Coach turns, narrowing his eyes at Austin. “Still a hard ass. Get your ass in gear, or I’ll have you running laps until your legs give out.”
“Fuck that,” Austin groans, rolling his eyes as he turns back to his drills. “Reed. You coming?”
