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Shit.
Aurora wasn’t mine—but I wanted her to be.
I did.
Aurora: Fine. But we’re on campus. It doesn’t leave a lot of places to be discreet.
Noah: I know a place.
Aurora: ???
Noah: The arena.
I checked my phone again, waiting for Aurora’s text. We’d arranged to meet at the arena, but she couldn’t access it without a keycard. And I figured the rear exit was the best shot at being discreet.
My cell finally vibrated.
Aurora: I’m here.
I got up and jogged to the exit, opening the door. The second Aurora appeared, some of the tension coiled inside me unraveled.
She gnawed on her thumb, watching me through big, surprised eyes. “Are we allowed to be in here?”
“Kind of comes with the territory, shortcake.” I tugged my Lakers jersey with a grin.
“Noah…” She sighed in that exasperated way of hers as if I was exhausting. But I kind of liked how much I affected her.
“Have you ever been here?” I asked, grabbing her hand and tugging her down the hall.
“Austin gave me the tour last year when I visited. But it wasn’t exactly a behind-the-scenes look around.”
“What’s up with that? One minute, he’s protective big brother, the next, he seems—”
“Like a disinterested asshole?”
“You said it, shortcake.” I smiled, but something inside me twisted.
“Mine and Austin’s relationship is complicated.”
“I’d like to know. I mean, if you want to tell me.”
Aurora frowned, a hint of distrust in her expression.
It stung, but I didn’t blame her.
“I’m sure you didn’t bring me here to talk about Austin and me. What happened with Sam?”
I couldn’t work out if she were deflecting for her or my sake, but I let it slide.
She was here—she’d turned up for me. And that was more than I deserved.
“Come here.” I shouldered the door leading to the rink and inhaled a deep breath. There was something invigorating about being out here. The sharpness of the subzero temperature making my lungs contract and expand.
“It’s cold,” Aurora said.
“It’s home,” I replied.
“You really love it, don’t you? Hockey?” She peered up at me, a thousand questions in her emerald eyes. None I had answers for yet.
