Laughter spilled past my lips, and I covered my mouth so he wouldn’t hear me. At least, I told myself that. I’ll only admit here that I heard notes of nervous tension in that laughter.
“Obsessed with me? Come on, Levi, that’s ridiculous even for you.”
“Okay, maybe not obsessed with you as a person, but obsessed with the need for revenge.”
“Because I punched him out?”
“Damn right. He’s never gotten over that. He needs to prove himself as a tough guy. I don’t fucking know; you’re the one who should have to figure this shit out.”
“If I could figure it out that easily, I would’ve solved the problem by now. As it is, I just want to figure out how to get him to leave me alone.”
“I already told you what to do.”
“Right. I’m supposed to tell him to go piss up a rope.”
“No, no, you’re supposed to tell him to fuck off—and then plow him with the knuckle sandwich of the century if he doesn’t listen.”
I shut right up at that moment. The whole conversation seemed so pointless. I might be a hockey player, but I didn’t think violence solved everything. It seemed like there were eyesand ears all over Western New York, which meant Levi would find out that I hadn’t followed orders.
If I didn’t follow orders, I would look like a flake. Doing what I was told meant rearranging Zane’s face, which seemed like a tragedy. I don’t care how weird that sounds.
It also wasn’t the worst part of all. That honor belonged to something Levi had said.
Zane was obsessed with me. I was his number one thought, twenty-four seven. But for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why Zane Hirst would be obsessed with me.
11
ZANE
Iswear I didn’t expect to run into Jakob at the gym. Wait, hold on. I technically knew it was possible that we could run into each other there again since we belonged to the same fitness center. I wanted to avoid that at all costs, though. I even made a point of going at a different time to reduce the likelihood of that happening. Whatever. Our running into each other at the gym once will seem like nothing once you’ve heard what I have to tell you.
I was changing into my workout clothes when it all started. Short on time, I wanted to squeeze in as much of a workout as I could before heading back to campus for class. Earpods plugged in, I had my jams cranked up, and I was totally feeling the beat, but then it happened—Jakob strolled out of the shower.
No, he wasn’t naked, if that’s what you’re wondering. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair still wet and messy. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
Wait, that sounds totally wrong. I’m trying to say that I noticed how impressive a physique Jakob possessed. His upper body boasted two firm oval-shaped pecs, complete with a six-pack abdomen. His powerful shoulders made way for the set of guns that included hulking biceps.
Look, not everyone’s muscles show through their street clothes, or even their gym attire. Sometimes you have to see them strutting around in a towel to see how put-together they really are.
Part of me wished I hadn’t finished changing already, so I could show him how much work I’d invested in my own body, especially my butt. God, that sounded so weird. I didn’t like thinking that way, and yet I couldn’t stop.
When Jakob’s eyes landed on me, he quarter-turned, ready to head in the opposite direction. Shit, he would’ve darted for the hills if he could have. The sight of me alone drove him to it. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck.
On the other hand, I couldn’t just let him leave.
“Jakob,” I said, “well, well, well.”
He froze, tensing up, and then slumped his shoulders. He quarter-turned back to his original position but didn’t look at me.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“What does it look like?”
I sputtered, struggling not to laugh a little, because that was the bravest move he’d made against me since… well, since punching me in the face.
God, he could gain the upper hand on me without even tryingorknowing he was doing it.
When he advanced on me, I thought we might actually have a civilized conversation. Even I can be wrong, rare as that may be. He appeared ready to breeze right past me, and I had to put a hand on his chest to stop him.
