Boss lets out a deep, rumbling laugh.
“He’s a good kid,” Saltzy says, and we’re all watching Reno now. Unruly hair and baby face. Young, full of life, full of energy. That was us at one point. Feels like yesterday and years ago at the very same time. “He’s just a fucking idiot.”
“Could have told you that when he put his dick in Irina.”
Saltzy’s grip flies off the top of his stick. He whirls to me, green eyes wide and stunned. “He fucked Irina?”
“Months ago,” Boston grumbles.
“Oh, she definitely has his spunk in a vial right now,” Saltzy mutters, shaking his head.
Declan barks out a loud laugh, but my stomach churns at the thought. It should be funny, but I can honestly see it happening, which makes it terribly unfunny.
“If he goes missing and his body parts show up in suitcases, we know who did it,” I add.
All three of the boys snicker at that.
When Coach blows the whistle, and after we get a tiny lecture about being a team, all the boys slap Reno on the back as they pass him and his puke bucket. He’s still white as a ghost, but he’s grinning like a little boy in detention, slumped against the boards now. I smack him on the head instead, hoping it helps the message sink in a bit more.
Don’t be an idiot unless you’re good at it.
When I get home, I plug in and join the boys for a few hours ofCall of Duty. As usual, it gives me a good break from reality. Feels like I’m back in college again.
I went to school in Boston, and me and the boys would stay up to play until the early hours of the morning despite having class at eight. I’d trudge through my day, exhausted but ready to do it all over again. In the evenings, I’d get the privilege of skating with some of the best guys I’ve ever met.
Life was easy.
My phone buzzes next to me. I see her name and instantly drop my controller.
Arden
It’s your day tomorrow. What’s the plan?
I grin, cursing when I hear myself die through my headset. My friends are chirping me in my ear, but I’m too busy typing back to my faux girlfriend to care. The game can wait.
Me
It’s a surprise. Wear something nice.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
arden
I swingmy apartment door open, and Carter’s smile immediately falls. It melts right off his face. That’s not the reaction I want when my date sees me for the first time. Those blue eyes I’m growing quite fond of drop from my face to my feet, and quickly back up again.
I deflate, dropping my hand from the door. I give myself a once-over. “What?”
He shakes his head, blinking a bit. “Nothing. Just, wow.Wow. You look insane, Red.”
My cheeks immediately heat. I think that was a compliment? I glance up at him, sure he’s picking on me, but he’s looking me up and down again like he can’t believe what he’s looking at.
I opted for a dark blue midi-dress with a slit in the thigh. It has an a-line neck and long, bell sleeves. I pinned half of my red hair back, letting my wispy bangs fall in front of my eyes. Lathered on a cherry coloured gloss that makes my mouth look more juicy than it is.
It appears that Carter is a fan of my choices.
“Really?” I ask.
He swallows, and I hate that my eyes track the movement. When his gaze snaps back to mine, he smiles a bit gentler, dipping his chin. “Insane, Red.”
