My eyes also track the way his t-shirt stretches over his muscular chest. I can only imagine how he looks shirtless.
I must have been ogling him with my mouth wide open, because he eggs me on. “That’s what I thought, Bridezilla. It’s easy to criticize when you don’t have to back your words with action.”
Oh no, he didn’t. “What did you just call me?” I gasp.
Connor chuckles. “You heard me.”
“Fine.” I bite out, stabbing his chest with my index finger. “You’re going to eat your words in a second. And if I win, I want an apology for calling me Bridezilla.”
“Sure.” He counters. “If you lose, you apologize for doubting my aim with the puck. And you’re coming to our first official game in a couple of weeks wearing Star Cove’s colors.”
I wonder if Luke told them anything about me. If they know that until yesterday, I went to Bridgeport U, Star Cove’s biggest rival in their hockey conference.
My father would probably kill me if he saw me in another team’s jersey. Especially Luke’s. My only hope is that he won’t look for me here. As far as he knows, Luke and I are completely estranged.
Guilt twists my insides at the thought that I let him dictate everything about my life. He knew I would never cut my brother off based on his sexual orientation, so he used a more insidious way. He made cutting off the “extra fat”, severing all the connections that weigh us down, a condition for my success. And when every single one of my videos started going viral, I believed he was right. I didn’t realize how much control he got over my life and over every single one of his “clients” until I found myself engaged to someone he chose. Until I almost said I do to?—
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” I say to Connor. “But if I win, you’re going to wear my tiara for the rest of the night.”
His smile widens, his blue eyes shining under the bright lights of the pier. “Bring it.”
Connor’s smile reaches his eyes for the first time tonight, and I do my best to ignore the effect that smile has on me.
“This is the most fun I’ve had this year. If you win,” Jamie joins in, taking his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ll give you a hundred dollars.”
That would be awesome. I have almost no money. Despite being a social media sensation with my dance videos, the lion's share of my earnings went toPure Shineand into his deep pockets.
“I’m a little short of cash,” I admit. “If I lose, I don’t have a hundred bucks on me.”
Jamie shrugs. “That’s fine. If I win, you’ll dance with me.” He points at the dance floor at the end of the pier, close to the base of the Ferris Wheel. I can think of worse things than dancing with a hot hockey player, so I nod. “Fine. You better say goodbye to that money, though. Because I’m telling you, the games are fine. It’s your aim that just sucks.”
These hockey players have more muscles than sense. I should know because my brother has played hockey since he was old enough to put on a pair of skates, and I was engaged to one.
My mind goes to my ex, Kurt. What is he doing right now? If I had gone through with the wedding, we’d probably be at our reception. Then it would be time for our wedding night. I suppress a shudder at the thought. If I have a say, Kurt will never lay another finger on me as long as I’m living and breathing.
I shake my head to banish the unwanted thoughts, and focus on the challenge in front of me.
“There you go,” the guy at the game stand passes me three darts. “You need to pop at least two balloons to win a prize. Stand by that line on the floor for the distance valid to claim a prize.”
“Piece of cake,” I smile confidently, turning to look at Jamie and Connor behind me.
As I line my first shot, the speakers above us start playing Lady Marmalade, Christina and Pink’s version.
I let the music seep into every fiber of my being. My mind goes to last night again, when I gave Kurt everything and he…
No. This song doesn’t see Lady Marmalade in a bad light. It’s fun, like last night should have been, if I hadn’t been with the wrong guy.
I inhale deeply and throw my first dart.
Pop.
My lips curl in the beginning of a smile. I don’t even need to turn around to see Jamie and Connor’s shocked expressions. I can just picture them from the groans they let out.
“Beginner’s luck.” Jamie taunts me.
“There’s no way you’re going to get another balloon.” Connor says.
This time, I turn to look at him over my shoulder. “Get ready to wear my tiara, princess.”
