Page 36 of Icebound Hearts

Fine. I shift slightly and—without warning—kick his shin under the desk. Aiden lets out a quiet grunt, shooting me a glare while I smile sweetly at the board. He leans closer and whispers in my ear.

“You’re evil.” I scribble something in my notes, feigning innocence.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His knee presses against mine, just for a second, just enough to send an annoying zing of awareness through me. I stiffen, refusing to move first. It’s a standoff neither of us wants to lose.

By the time class ends, my heart is pounding, and my head is a mess. I practically shove my notebook into my bag, ready to bolt—But Aiden is faster. He blocks my exit with a lazy smirk. “What’s your hurry, Angel Face?” I scowl. “Move.”

“Say, please.” I push past him without a word, pretending that my pulse isn’t out of control. He follows me out into the hallway like he enjoys making my life difficult.

“Admit it,” he says, walking beside me. “You like bickering with me.” I stop abruptly, turning to face him.

“You are relentless.”

“And you love it.”Before I can respond, Alina and Alexei appear, breaking the

Moment. Alina glances between us, smirking. “What did I miss?” I groan. “Nothing.”

Alexei snickers. “Nothing? Because it looks like something.” Aiden stretches like he has all the time in the world.

“She just can’t stop thinking about me.” I glare at him.

“You stole my coffee this morning.”

Alina gasps cause she knows. She knows how I am about my coffee,

“Again? Aiden, that’s practically a declaration of war.”

Aiden shrugs, entirely unrepentant. “She deserved it.”

“HOW?” I ask raising my hands up in a question.

“For existing.” He winks at me, and my stomach erupts in butterflies. Stupid hormones.

Alexei and Alina laugh as I march away, ignoring their teasing. But I do hear Alexei mutter, “They should just make out already.” I roll my eyes, making my way towards the library. I sit in a corner, my books all sprawled out, as I do my homeworkwhen the walls start to ripple. The pages blur, words turning into insects crawling across the paper and into my arms. My throat tightens, my pulse skipping painfully.

‘Katerina. Being alone always makes you think of me.’

I shake my head to clear my mind, Max’s voice echoing in my head. My fingers tremble as I grab my phone, and half of me is unsure who I’m about to text. But my brain knows before my heart catches up.

Angel Face

The reply comes almost instantly.

Grumpy Hockey Player

I stare at the screen, debating how much to say.

Angel Face

Three dots. They disappear. Then reappear.

Grumpy Hockey Player

Angel Face

I expect him to ask questions, to demand answers, to gloat. But all he sends is three words.

Grumpy Hockey player

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