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He’s talking with Phoebe.
And she just threw her head back, laughing.
My jaw pops. An unpleasant feeling races up and down my spine as my ab muscles tighten.
I don’t know why I should feel like this. After what Phoebe told me yesterday, I should be glad that she’s capable of laughing.
But knowing that Shane’s the one to make her do it … I don’t like it. Why can’t I be the one to make her laugh like that?
Shit. What am I thinking? Why did that thought even come into my head?
I try to shake it off. There’s no explanation other than my mind being utterly out of whack after that stressful class session.
I think I definitely need that beer right now.
* * *
Since Shaneand I walked to the rink instead of driving, we let the one beer we planned to have at Jake’s turn into three.
We’re both pretty buzzed when we walk through the door of the Ice Box; and the first thing we see is Liam and Zoey practically mauling each other on the couch.
“I’d say get a room,” Shane drawls, “but sometimes I like to watch.”
Liam throws a pillow at him, which Shane is way too drunk to dodge. Zoey laughs, rolling her eyes. She’s spent enough time around Shane since he moved in to know that jokes like that are just what we have to expect from him.
Zoey is our coach’s daughter. She and Liam got together last year. Secretly at first.
When it finally came out, Coach didn’t approve. That’s putting it lightly. But when Liam proved how much he truly loves and cares for his daughter, he finally buckled and accepted it.
Now, he’s gone way beyond acceptance. He basically treats Liam like a son. And he might as well, because everyone knows Liam’s going to be his legit son in law one day, probably sooner than later. That’s how obviously Liam and Zoey are meant for each other.
I laugh under my breath as I reflect on the circle of life.
When I first moved into the Ice Box, all the guys were single. Then, one by one, they started to meet the loves of their lives and fell head over heels, improbably and dramatically each time. First Blaze met Kay, his genius tutor, and then Grant, Tristan, Cole, and Ryder fell to Cupid’s arrow one by one, until almost everyone living here was paired up.
Now, all those guys have graduated, and Liam is suddenly the only one of our roommates who’s taken.
The Ice Box is a bachelor pad once again.
I wonder if it’ll stay that way, even next year when Liam and I move on. It’s hard to imagine a player like Shane settling down with one girl.
Then again, that’s what anyone would have said about the old Hot Shots guys who are now practically married.
Lars, on the other hand … it really is hard to imagine an ornery motherfucker like him falling in love.
As for Walsh, the kid’s so strait-laced and focused on hockey and school at the same time, I don’t know when he’ll find time for a relationship.
Aaron’s more or less a normal guy. A sweet kid, too. He’s someone I could see actually finding his way into a normal relationship, without a bunch of drama like all the other Hot Shots guys got themselves into when they fell in love.
Speaking of Lars, he stalks down the steps. His expression is frosty as always, his thick black hair hanging over his prominent brow. He wears a dark t-shirt, so his cryptic and gothic looking tattoos are on full display.
“Hey, Larsy,” Shane greets him.
Lars stops for a moment, his ears no doubt pricked by the nickname Shane just unceremoniously bestowed on him. He fixes a glare on Shane that could make fire turn cold.
“That’s a no onLarsyas a nickname, then?” Shane quips.
Lars just sighs in frustration, resuming his path to the kitchen.
