Page 28 of Play Maker

On my way there, I ran into Hailey. This day was just getting better and better…

“Hey, Jace, where are you off to?” She reached for my arm and gripped me tightly. “You want some company?”

“Not today. I’ve got to get some studying in before I head to my next class.”

“What about later?” Hailey smiled knowingly. “I could stop by your room?”

She was a beautiful girl and a lot of fun in the bedroom, but I had no interest in taking things any further. Or spending more time with her. Outside of casual flirting, I didn’t see the point. We had nothing in common except sex. Which was great, but strangely enough,notenough to make me want her again. In fact, when I thought about any conversation we’d had, it was always about, or leading to, fucking. Otherwise, we’d had nothing to say to each other. And my interactions with her seemed so boring in comparison to…

No. Fuck no. Don’t even think about Axel.

I hoped like hell I wasn’t coming down with a bug or something because I felt off.

“What about tomorrow?”

I sighed, wanting out of this conversation. Like, now. It was shitty, but I couldn’t help it.

“Sorry.”

“That’s fine,” she replied, her grin cooling. “There are plenty of other hot hockey players around. Like that teammate of yours, Axel.”

My scowl was immediate. She smirked and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“He’s gorgeous.”

He was something alright. I bit my lip, holding back a response.

“He’s in your dorm, right?”

“Yup,” I replied calmly, despite my heart beating a furious rhythm. “Not sure which room. You can ask around.”

“I’ll do that,” Hailey replied with a firm nod.

“I’ve got to get going,” I repeated and pulled my arm loose.

“Text me later if you change your mind,” she added and stepped back.

“Will do,” I said politely, lying my ass off.

I turned away, relieved, and scampered off as fast as I could. Given the frozen sidewalks, I nearly slipped and forced myself to slow down. The last thing I needed was an injury.

By the time I got to the library, I was half frozen. Instead of taking the elevator, I decided on the stairs, and sighed in relief when my limbs finally defrosted. Making it up to the second floor, I smiled at the clerk at the front desk and asked if there were any private rooms available, but unfortunately, everything was booked up.

I was about to head up to the next level when I spotted Maddox and Kayden heading my way. They waved and wandered over to meet me.

Up close, I noticed that both guys had swollen lips and red cheeks. Jesus.

“Studying hard?” I chuckled.

“Hardly studying,” Kayden replied with a dirty grin.

Maddox groaned and shook his head.

“The library? Seriously?” I asked.

“Don’t knock it,” Kayden replied and tapped my shoulder. “Those private rooms? No windows, no distractions?—”

“No more,” Maddox snarked.

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