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“That’s overrated.”
“But I don’t like hockey, and it’s the thing you live and breathe.”
Reed released a soft laugh. “I just want to hang out with you. I’m not asking you to rewatch game tapes with me.”
I blanched because that was in fact something Jeremy had made me do before. Reed made it sound like my lack of interest in the sport was no big deal. But I’d dated a hockey player, so I knew how important it was. I was never going to be the kind of girl that idolized him or was desperate to wear his jersey to a game. I certainly hadn’t wanted to wear Jeremy’s and quickly changed the subject on the few occasions he’d asked me to. Looking back now, I wondered if perhaps even then I’d sensed Jeremy wasn’t the guy for me.
“So, what do you think?” Reed asked.
My eyes narrowed on him. “You get your way a lot, don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” He tucked his hands into his pockets and grinned at me in a way that confirmed he most definitely did. It was hard not to be lured in by him when he smiled. But I knew I had to stay strong. We barely knew the first thing about each other, and I refused to be pulled in by another jock.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but my stance on hockey players isn’t going to change.”
He didn’t look the least bit bothered as he gave me a one-shouldered shrug. “Guess I’ll just have to keep proving to you I’m not like all the other hockey guys.”
I already knew it wouldn't take much for Reed to prove he was different. He certainly wasn’t an average guy—but I hadn’t yet decided if it was for better or worse. Given the things Mia had heard, he was probably worse. But I was struggling to believe every terrible thing people said about Reed Darling was true.
A high-pitched giggle caught my attention. I glanced past Reed and caught sight of Jeremy. He was sitting on a log near the bonfire with Heather perched on his lap. His arms were wrapped around her, and his hands were resting on her legs in such an intimate way there was little doubt they were here together.
Even though I was done with Jeremy, it was still hard to watch. He clearly didn’t regret what he’d done even though he’d told me it was just a drunken mistake. What made it worse was the way Jeremy’s eyes were focused on me. His expression was smug as he gave me a knowing look, like he was expecting me to stalk over to him and stake my claim.
Did he think he could make me so jealous I’d just take him back? Did he think inflicting more pain on me would convince me to forgive him? Maybe Mia was right. This was all part of some sick plan to win me back. What was it going to take to make him realize we were done?
Anger clouded my vision, and I was struggling to think straight. Jeremy looked so sickeningly satisfied as he took in my reaction, but then he noticed Reed. When his gaze landed on his hockey rival, Jeremy’s expression faltered, and a wild look entered his eyes. Mia’s words from earlier in the night flashed across my mind, and I felt a sudden sense of clarity. I knew exactly how to show Jeremy we were over.
I turned to Reed before I could come to my senses and grasped the front of his jacket, pulling him toward me. He came easily, but I knew he would have had no problem resisting if he’d truly objected. He instinctively wrapped his hands around my waist as though he’d done it a thousand times before. Knowing his reputation with girls, he probably had. I didn’t need any more encouragement than that, and I lifted myself up onto my toes and kissed him.
Despite his hands settling on my waist, I could tell I’d caught him by surprise. It took him a moment to react, but when he did return the kiss, it was so intense I almost forgot to breathe. His lips were hot against mine, and a rush of warmth spread through my body as my heart beat faster and faster. I felt him grasp me tighter, but I wanted him closer still. The way the faint hint of cologne on his neck mixed with the bonfire smoke and snow was intoxicating. The kiss had been fueled by anger, but that quickly faded into something else—something more—and suddenly nothing else seemed to matter other than the connection between us. The snowy field we stood in felt like it had gone up in deliciously hot flames. If this was what it felt like to kiss a devil, then send me straight to hell.
A breath later and the kiss was over. Reed was ripped from my lips as Jeremy forced his way between us, and I stumbled back a step.
“Get away from her,” Jeremy shouted, giving Reed a hefty shove to the chest.
“Jeremy!” I called out his name in shock. I’m not sure what I’d thought was going to happen after I kissed Reed. I’d wanted to show Jeremy I was moving on. To prove I wasn’t his to toy with. Maybe I’d been trying to make him hate me enough that he’d just leave me alone. But I’d never thought he’d react this way. Over Jeremy’s shoulder, I could see Heather storming away. I guess she hadn’t expected him to react that way either.
Reed barely looked concerned by the six-foot ball of muscle before him. Jeremy was a big guy, but Reed was bigger. And instead of returning my ex’s icy stare, Reed was ignoring Jeremy and looking at me with concern.
“Don’t look at her!” Jeremy growled, giving Reed another shove.
Reed’s eyes flashed with anger as he finally focused on Jeremy. “Careful, Hoffman. You know by now you don’t want to make me mad.”
“I don’t give a shit about you. That’s my girlfriend you’re harassing.”
“Harassing?” Reed’s voice had taken on a dangerous tone.
“Girlfriend?” I spluttered the word in disbelief as I pushed my way between the two of them. “I’m not your girlfriend, Jeremy. Not anymore.”
We were drawing a lot of attention, and it seemed everyone gathered near the bonfire was turning to watch the commotion. I might have been embarrassed if I wasn’t so incensed.
“Just get away from him, Violet.” Jeremy reached out for me, but I found myself shying away from him and closer to Reed. Jeremy noticed, and his hands formed fists at his sides. “I know you were only trying to get my attention,” he continued in a calm but threatening tone. “Well, you’ve got it. Let’s go.”
He held out his hand once more, but I ignored it. “I didn’t do this to get your attention, Jeremy!”
“Well, why else would you be kissing him?”
“Because I…” The last thing I wanted was to give Jeremy the satisfaction of knowing I’d only kissed Reed because of him. “I’ve moved on, Jeremy.”
