Page 35 of Vibes

Aarons. Ah, shit, that might be Dylan’s brother after all.

Licking my lips, I rock back and forth on my heels as I debate pushing away from her and down to the penalty box. I’m terrible at paying attention right now, but I really want to go down and see if Lachlan’s okay. There’s plenty of seats near where he is, and my jealousy amps up watching the people banging on the glass for his attention. It doesn’t just look like fans, but people with their phones too. Of course everyone wants to talk to him; he just reappeared not long before this game.

As I stare, some of the regular puck bunnies flock to the penalty box, standing from the seats I didn’t even think about until I noticed who’s sitting there. They tap on the glass for attention even as Lachlan glares in the other direction, lifting his gaze. I swear, even though I’m nowhere near the penalty box, I think he might be looking for me.

His head lifts, and it feels as though he’s looking right at me. It could just be my hopeful imagination, but it calms some of the surprise rage from seeing the puck bunnies throwing themselves at him so unabashedly.

Am I really jealous of girls flocking Lachlan? God help me.

“You should go see him,” Cora advises, picking up her things. She cracks a wicked smile, and I can’t tell if she’s being serious or not. “Go stake your claim on him and all that good shit. I’d love to see you try and punch a puck bunny.”

My eyes narrow. Cora knows very well that I’ve never punched anything or anyone in my life. “Where are you off to? There’s still time left on the clock.”

She shrugs one shoulder. “I have to catch Flynn as soon as the game is over, so don’t wait up. We’re not finished quite yet.”

I catch Cora’s arm before she can walk away, dragging her down to sit with me again. There’s still a little bit of time left on the clock, and if I get this over with quickly maybe I can make it down to see Lachlan.

“What was the point of all this?” I ask her, dropping my voice. “Did you really curse that many people just to get back at Flynn? Seriously, Cor?”

She scowls, shaking off my hand. “Yes, there’s a point. My intent was only ever to deal with Flynn, because that’s who wronged me.”

“And you don’t want to elaborate on that?” I ask dryly.

“Not right now,” she grumbles, quiet enough I almost don’t hear her as the volume around us rises again. “The others happened by accident, but it worked out. Each of you needed someone new in your lives.”

“Each of us?” I shoot a fleeting look down to Londyn, but she’s hyper focused on the game like I should be. “Who—”

“That’s not important right now,” Cora interrupts. “The point is, you each got someone who forced you out of your comfort zone, and you’re better for it. I didn’t know you’d end up with Lachlan. It just happened that way because you were the last one to purchase a guy at the store.”

“Oh my God,” I groan.

“But it’s good that it happened that way,” Cora continues, shooting me a knowing look. “Because Lachlan’s a good guy, right? He’s not quite the dickhead Flynn is.”

I narrow my eyes. “Are you making up BS to excuse the fact that you almost ruined a hockey team?”

She shrugs, grabbing her things. “Maybe, but it doesn’t matter anymore, does it? Your hockey player is waiting, Iris. I doubt he’s going to patiently wait for you after the game when he can come find you himself and make a scene.” She smirks. “You know, since he gave you his jersey?”

I glance down at myself, suddenly self-conscious again about the jersey Lachlan pulled over my head earlier today. When I glance back, Cora is rushing up the steps, and the crowd is getting hyped again.

When I turn back, I spot Lachlan getting out of the penalty box. I didn’t realize I was distracted talking to Cora for that long. His head peers around beneath the helmet, and I’m not sure what he’s looking for until his gaze locks on me in the stands.

He points, and I wave. What else am I supposed to do? The thundering roar of the crowd and the little bit of the time left on the clock steals the rest of my attention.

I can feel lingering eyes as the buzzer goes off and the game starts again. I’m not paying attention though, not as Lachlan continues to glide across the ice after the puck. The game is almost over, and he deserves my undivided attention.

When the buzzer goes off signaling the end of the game, I find myself cheering along with everyone else. This time, I don’t need anyone to explain what’s happened.

Epilogue

Lachlan

1 month later

“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” Iris asks hesitantly, eyeing the space in front of us. It feels rushed, but right now, I could care less. Winter break is just on the horizon, and when Iris told me she rarely, if ever, goes home for the holidays, it solidified by decision.

“More than okay,” I say, smirking. She shakes her head, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Are you sure you’re good with it?”

“It’s only one semester,” Iris replies, wrinkling her nose. She shared her opinion on the distinct jock smell when I made the offer. “Then I’m never living with a hockey team ever again.”