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“I am – most of the time.” I grinned at him. Being ambidextrous was a big advantage in hockey.
Beckett whistled and gave me a rare grin. “Fucking A. Good to have you with us.”
We watched the rest of the team run their drills before Coach set up a scrimmage. I found myself moving to the edge of the rink, right where Lily was sitting. She peeked up and then quickly away. A rosy hue warmed her creamy, freckled cheeks. Fuck, I’d like to see if that blush affected the rest of her skin like it did her face.
“West! Scrimmage – now!”
Lily kept her head determinedly down as I passed her by and skated to the middle of the rink.
It was interesting to scrimmage with the team, getting to know each other’s quirks and habits. Maybe it was even fun. I didn’t have a lot of experience with that feeling, so I couldn’t say for sure.
When we skated off the ice, Beckett appeared at my shoulder. Out of all the Ice Gods so far, he was the easiest to hang with. Probably because he didn’t talk that much.
“You know we have to win this game for your welcome party to be any good, right?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Don’t worry, I plan on winning.”
He gave me a grin and slapped my shoulder. “I love that confidence.”
“It’s not confidence…it’s lack of other options.”
He raised an eyebrow at that. “I see. Well, since you’re making sure we win the game, is there anything you want at the party? Let me know, and I’ll make sure it happens.”
“I don’t know, man. I’m not really into parties.”
“So, you want a quiet place to escape from your own welcome party? Okay, we can do that,” Beckett said.
We were in the locker room now. I dropped down on a bench, intending on waiting until the others were done before showering. I couldn’t keep going to Coach’s office. It’d raise questions I didn’t want to answer. Instead, I dried my blades slowly and methodically while Beckett shed his training gear.
“Is Asher’s sister invited to the party?” I asked him.
He paused, his dark eyes narrowing at me.
“Why? You interested in her? She’s called Eve for a reason. Forbidden fruit. Asher won’t allow any of us to mess around with her.”
There was something in his tone, something possessive. It looked like the richest guy at Hade Harbor High had found something he couldn’t buy. Or rather, someone.
“No, I’m not interested in her like that.” As soon as I said it, the intense vibes emanating from Beckett disappeared.
Then he grinned, and I knew I was busted.
“It’s Bug, isn’t it? Where Eve goes, Bug follows. Man, don’t tell me you have a hard-on for your new foster sister. That’s fucked up.” He laughed. “I like it.”
I blew out a breath and gave him a warning look. “I don’t have a hard-on for anyone, especially not the uptight rich girls here at HHH.”
Beckett only nodded, wrapping a towel around his shoulders. “Sure, whatever. I have to say, whatever happens, as long as it doesn’t fuck with the Hellions, should be entertaining.”
He turned and ambled away. I gulped down some water and fitted my skate guards, trying to seem busy and lost in thought. I really was lost in thought. Thoughts of Lily. Really, it would be better if she didn’t come to the party. She’d be a distraction there, and she wouldn’t hang out with me, anyway. I’d be wondering what loser with a death wish was chatting her up all night. I thought back to the night we officially met, how I’d found her in the kitchen, hiding from me, with Josh, a winger, smiling away at her. No, I wasn’t sure at all if I wanted Lily at the party. Unless I literally handcuffed her to me, it’d be torture. Maybe it would be better to have Freckles stay at home, studying in her pretty-smelling bedroom and tucking herself up in bed to dream about me, than out late and surrounded by teenage guys. Guys with bad intentions, just like me.
Lily
I was waiting outsideat my dad’s truck after practice when a couple girls I vaguely recognized drifted by. It had been the longest day in history, and I just wanted to go home, but seeing as I carpooled with my dad, I had to wait until practice ended.
I’d gotten no work done at the rink. The temptation to watch Cayden train had been too overwhelming. I might not be a huge hockey fan, but even I could tell how talented he was. He moved with unnatural grace on the ice and held his stick like it was an extension of him. After only a few minutes, I could see why my dad was so excited about him. He was a star in the making, and Coach Williams was the one in the position to discover him.
I’d watched him and enjoyed every second, a guilty little secret I hid inside myself. What wasn’t to enjoy? He was beautiful, and strong, and fast as hell on the ice, and all that power and violence that seemed to emanate from him in normal life suddenly fit perfectly. He was born to play, and sitting there tonight, it felt like I was born to watch him.
How pathetic was that?
