Or maybe it didn’t. Maybe I was just drunk out of my mind and imagined the whole thing.
I might have been drunk, but I made it clear—I wanted a rebound with him. And while I’d love to convince Ryan to fuck up his friendship with my brother, I can’t keep waiting around for someone who’s rejected me over and over.
I need to move on. Find someone else. Someone I can actually have fun with and forget about him.
The words slip out before I can stop them. “Have you ever had a one-night stand?”
Aurora pauses mid-chew, raising an eyebrow before shrugging. “Yeah, in high school. But I was absolutely wasted, can’t even remember his name.” She shakes her head with a small laugh. “But… yeah, it was kinda fun.”
I cringe. “God, I don’t think I could ever do that.”
She shrugs again, biting her lip. “I get it. It’s definitely not for everyone.” Then her eyes widen slightly as she studies me. “Are you still thinking about the rebound?”
I shake my head. “I was. But now… I don’t know. I think I need someone I actually know and trust.”
Aurora grins, nudging me. “Like Ryan?”
“No.” I laugh, nudging her back. “I’ve told you a million times, that’s not happening.”
She hums, rolling up the chip bag. “Mmm… I don’t know. You two were definitely flirting at the bar the other night.”
I narrow my eyes. “And what about you and Cole?”
Aurora scoffs. “You mean the literal Grim Reaper?” She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, we’re not talking about him. Why are you dodging the question, though?” Her brows shoot up, eyes gleaming. “Did something happen between you two?”
“No.” I shake my head. Nothing happened,technically.But then I pause, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. “Maybe?”
“Oh my god!” she squeals, practically jumping out of her seat. “I knew it! Tell me everything!”
I quickly glance around, noticing a few people looking our way. “Calm down,” I mutter trying to keep my voice low. “Nothing happened. I just… offered him the position of being my rebound, he declined and then pinned me to the wall and basically told me he wanted to fuck me but couldn’t because he’s friends with my brother.”
Aurora makes a face and blows a raspberry. “Lame. God, guys can be suchidiots.”
I chuckle, shaking my head just as the players start skating onto the ice, one by one. The sharp sound of skates slicing the ice cuts through the buzz, followed by the thump of sticks tapping and the crack of pucks slamming into the boards during warmups.
Then the lights shift, and the starting lineup takes their positions.
I glance down, and there he is—Ryan. Number 27. His last name stretches across his jersey in bold letters, unmistakable even from up here. He leans forward, eyes locked in, every movement precise.
The ref drops the puck.
And just like that, the game explodes into motion and the crowd roars, rising to their feet.
Aurora leans into me, offering her chips. I take a couple, chewing them absently as I keep my eyes locked on the ice.
“You think the Wolves are gonna win tonight?” she asks.
I glance at her, blowing out a breath. “If the team can get their shit together. They’re playing well, but they’re getting outworked.” I gesture toward the ice. “Look at that. They’re too aggressive on the forecheck. They need to pull back and let the defense handle it, but they keep overcommitting.”
Aurora laughs, clearly not grasping half of what I just said but nodding anyway. “Sure,Coach.”
I focus back on the game, my mind racing through strategies. Something’s off. The passes are a half-second too slow, the spacing’s all wrong, and no one’s stepping up to take control. They’re playing like they’re stuck in their own heads—and if they don’t snap out of it soon, the other team’s going to walk all over them.
A Thunderhawk player shoves one of our guys into the glass behind the goal, the impact echoing through the arena. The whole crowd winces in unison. Gloves fly off, shoving turns into fists, and suddenly, a full-on brawl breaks out right in front of us.
Aurora launches out of her seat, her voice somehow cutting through the noise. “Yeah! Take your top off!”
I lose it, laughing so hard I have to clutch my stomach. A few people throw us judgmental glares, which only makes it funnier. I glance at Aurora, raising an eyebrow.
