AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And I hate it. Hate that he’s able to affect me this way. I shouldn’t care who Ford sleeps with or dates. I don’t want to feel anything where he’s concerned.
And yet…I do.
That realization is enough to rob the air from my lungs.
Why now?
Why is this happening now?
We’ve spent the past three years attending the same university, and I’ve been so good about keeping him at arm’s length. Even when I discovered that we were next door neighbors.
I made it a priority to steer clear and for the most part, my efforts worked.
Family dinners with Crawford have been more sporadic during previous years. This fall, he’s tried to set aside time on a weekly basis for the three of us to get together.
Instead of getting lost in the action unfolding on the ice, I continue to stew, barely paying attention when goals get scored. It’s almost a shock when the buzzer rings throughout the arena signaling the end of the game.
“Damn. That was a real nailbiter,” Juliette says. “Didn’t you think so?”
I glance at the scoreboard to see that the Wildcats won by a single goal.
“Definitely,” I say lightly, not wanting to admit that I’ve been stuck inside my head for the past three hours.
How embarrassing.
Not to mention pathetic.
For just a moment, I stare at my bestie and contemplate telling her about Ford’s offer. My plan before the game had been to turn him down flat and then avoid him for the foreseeable future.
Now however…
My gaze reluctantly shifts to Jaclyn as she reapplies her lipstick before giggling at something Crawford said.
Christ…is she’s seriously flirting with a man her father’s age?
This girl has no shame.
That’s the moment I realize that my plans have taken a one-eighty. A mixture of nerves and excitement explodes at the bottom of my belly.
It’ll be just like he said—no-strings attached sex.
We’ll do it a few times, get it out of our systems, and then it’ll be over with.
I can just imagine what Ford will be like in bed. He’s a pretty boy who’s always been chased after. He’s never had to work to get a girl’s attention. He probably expects his partner—or partners—to do everything.
I’ve been with guys like that.
It gets old fast.
The last thing I want to do is get myself over the finish line after getting some dude off. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. Deep down in a place I’m loath to admit, I’ve secretly wondered what it would be like to have sex with Ford. Now I can do it and put all the burning questions to rest.
I’m sure once or twice will be more than enough.
It takes a while for our group to filter out of the packed arena. The Wildcats hockey games are always popular and well attended. Not only with the students at the university but the town as well. People come from all over the state to watch the action. Most fans head out the double set of glass doors and into the crisp night air, but some hang around in the lobby, waiting for the players to get released from the locker room.
We stand in a loose group with Juliette’s parents, Crawford, Peter Bowman, and his daughter. I probably should have expected them to stick around so they could say hello to Ford, but it still irritates me.
I just want them to take off.
