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“You’re a jerk.” But she’s smiling as she says it. Slowly, the smile disappears. “I also think you’re right—we’re going to be best friends.”
“Look a little more depressed about it, why don’t you?”
Auden smiles again. “No, it’s not that—I just…” She shakes her head. “Never mind.”
I head for the driver’s side as she walks to the passenger side, half-tempted to push and half-worried I don’t want the answer. I have a feeling it might be related to the fact that I spent most of our canoe ride appreciating the thin strip of skin between her shorts and t-shirt. Auden is gorgeous, plain and simple. Girl-next-door, natural beauty with brunette hair and long legs that are nice to look at—and imagine wrapped around you. Vain as it sounds, I’ve heard enough cheesy pickup lines and locker room talk to know the general consensus among Canmore’s female population is that my muscles are good for more than just being the fastest guy on the ice.
Bottom line: I find Auden attractive. I’m pretty sure she finds me attractive.
That could complicate ourfriendship.
* * *
Josh’s driveway is packed when I arrive at his house. Usually, he keeps a few spots by the garage open, but they’re all full or blocked tonight. I resign myself to parking halfway down the street and hop out. It’s fucking obvious there’s a massive party happening at the Hawleys’. Their lot is huge, but lakeside real estate is coveted. The neighbors aren’tthatfar away, but they have yet to call the cops on us.
Mr. Hawley does something in building materials I’ve never understood but appears to be extremely lucrative. Mrs. Hawley spends a lot of time at retreats and visiting friends. Josh acts like hosting parties every night all summer is his life’s calling, but I’m guessing it bothers him and it’s his way of playing it off. But maybe I’m just projecting my father’s abandonment.
When I walk inside, every head swivels in my direction. Hockey thrust me into the spotlight a long time ago. It’s a role I’ve grown to appreciate. I only thrive in it on the ice—that’s when Iwantthe glare of attention on me—but I’d be lying if I said being the most popular guy in town has a lot of downsides. If I felt like I had to play a part, it would be one thing. I just play hockey and hang out with my friends. Girls want to kiss me and guys want to talk to me. Life could absolutely be worse.
I wander through the living room, exchanging handshakes with a few teammates and flirty comments with Cassie and Ava, who both showed up despite playing coy earlier. Cassie and I have been dancing around each other for years. There’s plenty of physical attraction between us, but not much else. I can’t recall if I’ve ever laughed at something she’s said, let alone lost track of how many times.
It’s probably an unfair comparison, but it’s one I can’t help making—and I have the sinking suspicion it’ll become the norm and I’ll compareeverygirl I encounter to Auden.
When Cassie’s touches and gazes linger even longer than usual, I realize I’m not the only one aware of how Auden’s arrival has upended the dynamics of my interactions with girls. I keep moving, heading into the kitchen. Like a magnet seeking out the opposite pole, my eyes find Auden. She’s hard to miss. For one, she’s wearing a coral-colored dress. Secondly, most everyone in the kitchen is looking at her.
Stares ping-pong to me when I walk into the room, including hers. Auden glances at me and smiles then turns back to talking to Lisa Owens. I can’t recall the last time I talked to Lisa, but I’ve never heard anything negative about her, so I don’t interrupt. I head toward Josh instead. He’s leaning against the fridge, scrolling through something on his phone.
“Hey, man.”
Josh looks up then shoves his phone in his pocket. “Reid! You’re late.”
“I know.” I missed my morning workout to go to the lake with Auden, so I headed to the rink after I dropped her back off at her aunt’s. “You’re blocking the drinks.”
“Beer is out on the counter.”
“I just want a water.”
Josh moves to the side so I can grab a cold bottle out of the fridge then slides right back over once I have. He glances at the flash of coral, cluing me in to what topic he’s about to bring up before he actually utters a word. “So…Auden. Are you re-evaluating your stance on girlfriends?”
I gulp some water then snort. “Of course not. What are we, ten? I can’t be friends with a girl?”
“You never have been before.”
“I never met a girl Iwantedto be friends with before. Auden’s…different. I dunno—I just like spending time with her.”
Josh shakes his head. “You can’t be ‘just friends’ with a girl you want to fuck, Reid. Watch a rom com. It’s not possible.”
I scowl at him. “Who says I want to fuck her?”
“You’re saying you don’t?” I don’t reply, hoping he’ll drop it. He doesn’t. “You took her to Lake Louise?” I don’t reply. “She mentioned it to Luke when she got here. You hate going there in the summer.”
I shrug.
He sighs. “Well…this should be interesting.”
Understatement.
PartTwo
