Page 26 of Home for the Hockey-Days

He looks up at me, searching my eyes for something. “I don’t know. You look kinda pissy.”

“I didn’t appreciate waking up alone.”

His brows twitch, and I’m glad I caught him offguard. “You didn’t?”

“No, you big oaf. I fucking didn’t.” I sweep my nose against his. “I’m pissed you left.”

Something I can’t identify flickers in his eyes, and he flexes his jaw muscles. “This’ll never work between us, Rowan.”

“You don’t know that.”

“The fuck I don’t.” He scowls. “Girls like you belong with guys like Artemis and Apollo.”

It’s my turn to scowl. “The fuck? Is that so? And who made you Grand Master Cupid? I’m aware of the current political climate, August Kade, but I’m also still the boss of my own fucking body. Pray tell why I belong with them and not you.”

“I don’t have money.”

I can’t help rolling my eyes. “And?”

His nostrils flare. “I don’t even have a fucking car.”

Ouch. Okay, that makes me wince. “My bad, but what does that have to do with whether something between us is worth exploring?”

He growls at me like the answer is obvious. “We’re from opposite sides of the tracks, Rowan. It just won’t work.”

“Riiiiiiight. So you’re clairvoyant. Cool, cool. And we won’t go into the fact that you’re making sweeping assumptions about my life based on the fact I’m friends with Athena.” I brush my lips against his. “For the sake of argument, even if it doesn’t work out. It just needs toseemto work. At least for the next few minutes.”

“Why?” His breath catches as I nip at his jaw. “What do we get out of faking it?”

I shrug. I can’t explain it. I feelsomethingfor this grumpy, brooding asshole, and I’d like a chance to pursue it, but if I say that again, it might spook him even more. “Sticking it to Johnny White and some great sex?”

He falls quiet, and while it seems that most of histeammates behind me have gone back to their breakfasts, I still feel eyes on me.

“Come on, Snickerdoodle.” I flash him my most disarming grin. “You can’t tell me you don’t want me.” I rock my hips again, dragging a hiss from him. I lower my mouth to his ear. “Well, you could, but we’d both know you’re lying. At least think about it? Just a date, or two...” I know I sound pathetic, but so are his reasons for writing us off before we even have a single date.

August doesn’t say another word, he doesn’t put me down either. Instead, he cups my ass, stands up, and walks away from his breakfast. His teammates apparently suck at whispering because they’re gossiping out loud like little old ladies. One thing is resoundingly clear: August never dates. August never does PDAs. They’re all stunned that August has me in his arms right now.

Okay, two things are clear. One, the team is convinced that August is basically a monk.

And two, from the look on Jade’s face, she’s already told her brother that I’m making a scene with his nemesis.

CHAPTER 12

August

“Gus!” Aunt Maggie’s screech can be heard across two zip codes. “What in the world are you doing here?” She comes out from behind the counter of The Blue Line diner and makes a beeline straight for Rowan and me.

She grabs my face with both her hands. “And why the fuck has it taken you so long to come visit me?” She glances over my shoulder, clocks Rowan, and steps back with a gasp. “Who is this?” she hisses in a shit-poor stage whisper.

“Aunt Maggie, this is Rowan. Rowan, this is my Aunt Maggie.”

Maggie gives me a sharp dig in the ribs with her elbow. “I need context, August. Friend?Morethan a friend?”

I’m already regretting my decision to bring Rowan to my aunt’s diner for lunch, but now, the only way out is through.

Not waiting for an introduction, Rowan steps forward, arm out-stretched. “Hi, I’m Rowan. And this is our very first official date.”

It’s only been a couple of hours since breakfast in thehotel, but Rowan was so very sure we’d work together as a couple, it’s time to show her just how wrong she is.

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