She gasps, scandalized. “Excuse me, I once did five tequila shots and rode a mechanical bull.”
“Andcriedafter.”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s not the point, Isabella.God, why did I tell you that?”
I let out a chuckle as I order a caramel latte, and hand over my card. Aurora, however—adamant on wanting to prove mewrong—orders a matcha, takes one sip, and instantly grimaces like she just licked the bottom of a lawnmower.
“This tastes like grass.”
“Expensive grass,” I correct, chuckling into my caramel latte.
She hums, smacking her lips. “With a sprinkle of regret.”
Since I’m a good friend, I won’t tell her ‘I told you so’, but… I told her so.
We grab a small table by the window, warm sunlight spilling across our drinks, and Aurora is already scrolling on her phone before I even sit down.
“Party tonight,” she announces, tapping out a quick text before looking up at me. “We’re going.”
I’ve only known Aurora for less than two weeks, but one thing is abundantly clear—this girl does not take no for an answer.
“Aurora.” I shake my head. “If I ever want to work with a pro-team and not end up running them into the ground, I actually have to pass this class.”
She eyes me over her cup, lips pursed. “Do you actually need to study, or are you just trying to avoid a certain someone?”
My fingers tighten around my cup. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Aurora lets out a knowing chuckle, arching a brow. “Oh, please. You can’t fool me. I saw you two talking at the party, and now you have to see each other every day at practice… You sure nothing happened?”
“Positive,” I say, lifting my coffee to my lips. “Just a few quick conversations.”
“About?” she pries, stirring her drink as she dumps in three sugar packets.
I press my lips together. Since my dad is always around, we never really… talk. Usually, he just skates past me, complimentsmy outfit, flashes me a wink or that smile of his that turns my knees to jelly, and then disappears into the locker room.
“Stuff,” I reply, sipping my drink to avoid having to say any more.
Aurora smirks, snapping the lid back onto her drink. “I don’t know anyone who avoids a guy this hard unless they hooked up with him… or committed a felony in his presence.”
I shoot her a flat look. “First of all,what?And second of all, I already told you, nothing happened.”
She hums, leaning in, her eyes twinkling. “But youwantedsomething to happen.”
I open my mouth to argue, but before I can, Aurora suddenly chokes on her drink. She coughs, eyes going wide as she presses a hand to her chest. Then, a slow, wicked grin spreads across her face.
“Oh, this just keeps getting better.”
I frown. “What?”
She doesn’t answer; just tilts her head toward the counter.
I follow her gaze, and my stomach sinks like a rock.
Because standing there, looking unfairly good in a hoodie and joggers, is Ryan. His dark hair is tousled, sticking up in places like he just rolled out of bed, and he’s grinning at something. Not just any grin—full-bodied, dimple-popping laughter, the kind that makes his shoulders shake and his head tilt back slightly.
And standing right next to him? My brother, Nathan.
Of course.
