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His mouth found mine, and I poured myself into kissing him. A rumble came from his chest, and my back hit the wall next to the door. I felt raw and wild and free. Fire blazed through my nerve-endings, burning away the fear.
This. This was why I’d finally fallen. Gavin touched me, and the world disappeared. Scorched to ash and remade as a place where I wasn’t alone anymore.
He braced an arm under my ass, holding me up, as he brushed my nose with his. “Everything okay?”
“I’m just happy to see you,” I muttered.
He flashed me a smile, then lowered me to the ground as Reece and Cole came clomping down the stairs in their costumes. They looked great as superheroes. I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity of putting my highly fit, attractive roommates into spandex bodysuits.
Reece pouted. “You’re not in your costume?”
“I know I’m late. I only need like ten minutes.”
Cole turned to shout as I ran up the stairs. “Henry had her bath time and a fresh diaper. I have Sarah and Duck cued up in my room for her too.”
“Dude,” Reece muttered.
I didn’t hear the rest of what he had to say because I was throwing on a short black sweater, leggings, cat ears, and a tail. My last-minute Catwoman. Technically, Gavin wasn’t in his Superman costume either, but he’d flat out refused to wear the tight pants I’d gotten him. His costume was the pared down version of everyone else’s, meaning he’d put a tight superman shirt on under an open button down.
Honestly, I was kind of glad. His ass looked fantastic in those pants, and I’d have spent the whole party trying not to mark my territory. After my come to Jesus talk with Stephen, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to resist anymore.
My dad had leverage over me, and he lived for control. He’d hate the fact he couldn’t make Gavin dance like a puppet. I didn’t want to put Gavin in the crosshairs of my father’s ire, but I wasn’t sure how to keep him out of it while simultaneously claiming him in front of the world.
When I made it back downstairs, the guys were waiting by the door. Casey Jones, Captain America, Deadpool, and my very own Clark Kent. Our group of crime fighters was eclectic. Reece called dibs on Casey Jones, we’d picked Captain America for Cole, and Mase refused to wear any other superhero besides Deadpool. I was just glad they’d agreed to my silly idea.
Reece shook his head. “I still say you would have made a badass Harley Quinn with the pink hair.”
I flicked the strands behind my shoulder and met Gavin’s appreciative gaze. “Guess I have a thing for cat ears.”
He chuckled and opened the door. “Come on. The party already started.”
Unlike my usual circuit of Greek parties, this one didn’t feature too many football players. We’d arrived in the same neighborhood as Kappa house, but to a smaller place with less of a frat vibe. A cheer went up when we walked in, and from the way everyone greeted my roommates, I suspected the entire hockey team was packed into the living room.
The lights were low, the music was loud, and the drinks were plentiful. I circled the space, chatting with people I’d seen maybe once but who acted like we were besties. The perils of a successful social media account. Gavin moved in the opposite direction, always keeping me in his line of sight.
Even when I wasn’t facing him, I could feel his gaze on me. I knew I needed to talk to him about Carl’s deal, the fundraiser, my dad’s senate ambitions… my growing feelings, but I was highly aware of all the people in the room who could ruin the delicate balance of my life if the wrong photo got out.
Gavin’s black-framed glasses didn’t hide his face at all, and my painted-on whiskers weren’t fooling anyone. By the time our circles collided again, a guy I vaguely recognized was shifting his weight back and forth in front of Gavin like he couldn’t stand still.
“Archer Bolme, man. He’s going to be here on Friday.”
My ears perked up. I knew Archer Bolme. He was on again, off again dating my friend Blue’s mom. With all the drama between Blue and Mac and her mom over the summer, I’d forgotten Archer was the coach of Dallas’ professional hockey team.
Gavin laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Sellers, I’m going to tell you this one more time. Professional coaches don’t do their own scouting.”
Sellers shrugged Gavin off. “I know. Why aren’t you more excited?”
Gavin met my eyes as I approached and heat swept through me. “I’m excited. Carter already told me he’s coming. He wants to talk to me after the game.”
Sellers choked on his drink, and Gavin had to pound his back a couple of times. “Breathe, dude. It’s not a big deal. Dallas drafted me years ago, remember?”
I frowned, remembering Gavin sharing his frustration about how hands off Dallas had been since he was disqualified from his Juniors championship. Trying to be as casual as possible, I stepped up next to them, careful not to stand too close to Gavin.
“You think you got Dallas’ attention again?” I asked.
Gavin smirked at me. “Guess I’ll find out on Friday. You coming to the game, Princess?”
Their Friday game was the same night as the fundraiser in Dallas. The one I was supposed to talk to Gavin about attending. Disappointment crushed the hope I’d been carrying since talking to Stephen. I couldn’t ask him now. He’d find a way to be there and miss his chance to finally connect with his future team.
