“Quiet night for you, Cameron,” I say, voice casual, grin sharp.
His eyes flick up, wary, then down again. “Just tired.”
I drum my fingers against the table, leaning forward. “Come on. First win. You’re supposed to be celebrating, not brooding like some tragic hero.”
The corner of his mouth twitches. Not into a smile. More like irritation. “I’m not brooding.”
“Sure you’re not.” I tilt my head, studying him. Up close, I can see the shadows under his eyes, the tension in his jaw. He’s hiding something. I’d bet my next paycheck on it.
Most people, I’d leave it there, take the jab, move on. But with him? I want more. I want to know what’s under that carefully sealed surface.
I soften my tone just a notch. “Seriously, though. You good? Yesterday you were flying on the ice. Today you looked… off.”
His gaze snaps up, sharp this time. Defensive. “I’m fine.”
I let the silence stretch, shrugging like it doesn’t matter. Manipulation is an art, press too hard and people shut down. Better to leave the question hanging, make them wonder why you asked.
“Alright,” I say lightly, grabbing one of his untouched fries. “But if you tank next practice, I’m telling Coach it’s because you don’t know how to party properly.”
That earns me a look half irritation, half something else I can’t name. Is that his version of amusement? Intrigue, maybe. Or suspicion. Either way, it means I’ve hooked him enough that I’ll stay in his head tonight.
The team starts a round of shots, yelling over each other, daring anyone to skip. I take one with a dramatic flourish, tossing it back without flinching—then Leander’s, before he can pour it on the floor. Around me, the rookies cheer, some spilling beer on the table, laughing so loud I can barely hear myself think.
Leander’s eyes flick to each person, but he doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even raise an eyebrow when a kid next to him knocksback a shot and promptly coughs it out. He stays cool, collected. Perfect.
His brown hair is growing longer. Slightly curling under his ears, like he missed his last haircut. Have his eyes always been such a startling green or was that the coke making the lights brighter?
I lean back in my chair, trying to look casual, letting my eyes drift over to him every so often. Then I nudge him lightly with my elbow. “You’re not playing along?”
“I’m watching,” he says, flat.
I grin. Challenge accepted.
The next dare comes, loud and ridiculous: someone bets they can chug a beer while balancing a fry on their nose. Of course, everyone wants to see it, and the group descends into chaos and laughter, with bets flying.
I pick up Leander’s untouched beer and hold it in front of him. “Come on, Cameron. Don’t just sit there. You’re gonna watch the rookies embarrass themselves while you do nothing?”
He tilts his head, gaze measuring. “I don’t need to prove anything,” he says evenly.
I let my grin widen. Perfect answer. That little edge, that subtle defiance—it’s exactly what I want to see. I nudge him again, lighter this time, teasing. “Right, because being the quiet, mysterious guy is really working out for you tonight.”
His eyes flick to me, the faintest crack of amusement, but he doesn’t break. Not fully. That’s the point. I let it hang there, the invisible pull between us stretching tight.
Shots keep coming around the table, louder now, faster. Someone dares me to do a lap around the bar while juggling beer bottles. I laugh, jump to my feet, and do it. Leander doesn’t even blink, but I notice the way his eyes follow my movement, scanning the chaos like he’s analyzing it, cataloging it.
I return to my seat, grinning from the adrenaline, and nudge him again. “See? That’s how you make an entrance.”
He smirks faintly, but it’s brief.
I lean forward, lowering my voice just enough so no one else catches it. “You know, I could make things… interesting. Care to play?”
His gaze snaps up, sharp, wary, but not afraid. Not yet. “I don’t play games,” he says.
“Maybe you just don’t like losing,” I tease.
The corner of his mouth twitches again.
I stand, grabbing his chin and turning it towards me. “Cameron says he’s going to chug his beer all in one go!”
