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The phone cracks within my grasp and whatever noise I make is savage enough that Grady takes it for agreement.
“Okay, is she there now? In the apartment?”
“Yeah. Giving Otto a bath before she gets ready.”
“Then it’s not too late. Quick, spill something on your shirt.”
“What?”
“You’re going to get in front of her,” he says, slowing his words so I can process each one. “And peel it off all slow-like. Dude, it’s time to be the bunny.”
My agro-pacing halts and I look at the phone. “Fuck. You.”
This isn’t the time to throw that bullshit advice I gave himas a jokewhen he was losing his mind over Harlow back in my face.
“Yeah, believe me, I know what you’re thinking. But Axe,she’s wearing my ring. It works. Shirt off. And touch your mouth. Hook your thumb in the pocket of your jeans and subtly inch them lower. Shit, what were Dina’s other rules? Oh yeah, don’t forget the abs. Stretch a little and scratch them. Not like you have a rash, but all light—”
“Grady,” I bark. “I’m not going to be the fucking bunny. First, I’m not using any advice originating from the woman who cost me Nora the first time to try and get her back.” Not to mention that I’ve been flaunting my finer points for six months and the only thing that seems to get her attention is being real. “And last, hooking up would be a mistake. We both have our reasons, and they’re legit.”
My breath is coming hard like I just got off the ice, but Grady is silent.
Then, “Cost you Norathe first time?”
I sigh. He knows this much, might as well own up to the rest. “I spent the night with Dina a couple times around the time you and Harlow were getting together. I was, fuck, I don’t know. Bored. Lonely, I guess.” There were no expectations, it’s not how she rolls. “The next week, there’s this new girl moved in next door, and there’sjust something about her. I can’t stop looking for her. Can’t stop trying to get her attention, get her to laugh, get her to talk. And then talk longer.”
“Wait, you were working Fun Wrecker?”
“I wasn’tworkinganyone. I was into her. More than I even realized. And when I was ready to make a move, Dina showed up claiming a missing thong.”
“That old chestnut.”
“It was like everything good and bright and hopeful that had been in Nora’s eyes was gone in a blink. And hell, maybe for a second, it felt a little like relief. Because what I was feeling for this girl wasn’t familiar. I felt out of my depth. Out of control. Except then it was gone. She was shutting me out. Didn’t want to talk. Didn’t want to be friends.”
“She didn’t want to getplayed.”
It’s the farthest extreme from what was happening, but who could blame her for thinking it?
After a long pause, Grady whistles out a breath. “Okay, so here’s what I’m thinking. Take off the shirt anyway.”
“What, why?”
“Because the team needs you on the ice and not in custody for taking this guy out. You’re a man on the edge, so better to defuse the situation and just flash some abs. She’ll be thinking about it while she’s with him, comparing you in her mind. It’sDrake. He’ll lose. And it’ll fuck up her date enough that she won’t go home with him. Problem solved.”
Except it wouldn’t actually solve anything. Because Nora’s not mine to get back.
I’m losing my mind over her going out with another man when I can’t have her anyway.
She’s leaving.
Christ, I need to get a grip.
Chapter 15
Nora
Worst. Idea. Ever.
God, what am I doing here?
