Page 16 of Icebound Hearts

And I hate that I like it.

When we finally leave the library, Alina falls into step beside me, nudging my arm. “That was fun to watch.”

“You need a new definition of fun,” I grumble, but Ali grins.

“You like fighting with him.”

I scoff. “I do not.”

“You do. And he likes it too.”

I shake my head, but I don’t argue further. Because deep down, I know she’s right.

I don’t know if I want this tension between me and Aiden to stop. When I think about what it would be like if he ignored me completely, not acknowledging me at all, I almost miss him. What does it say about me if I would rather argue with this man than not get the chance to interact at all?

Later that night, after training, we all end up back at the Hockey House. Someone suggested a movie night, and before I knew it, I was curled up on the couch next to Alexei, Roman, and Alina, sitting suspiciously close on the other side of the room, and Aiden stretched out in the armchair across from me.

The lights are dim, and the movie plays in the background, but I can’t focus. Not when Aiden keeps looking at me. Not when I keep looking back.

Roman suddenly stretches, throwing an arm over Alina’s shoulders like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Shestiffens at first, then relaxes, leaning slightly into him. I smirk, whispering to Alexei, “Took him long enough.” Alexei chuckles.

“Five Bucks says she pretends to be annoyed but secretly loves it,” I add with a smirk. Confident. I know Ali will push him away.

“Deal,” Alexei says, shaking my hand. The movie ends, and as people start filtering upstairs, I grab my empty cup and head to the kitchen. Aiden is already there, leaning against the counter. We stare at each other for a long moment, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between us. I roll my eyes, turning away toward the sink. I rinse my cup, focusing too hard on the swirling water, but Aiden’s presence lingers behind me, feeling like a gravitational pull. Alexei walks into the kitchen with a confident smile on his face.

“Did you notice who’s happily sitting with an arm over their shoulder?”

My train of thought disappears when I hear Roman’s voice from the living room. “Hey, Alexei, how much does Kat owe us for losing that bet?”

I freeze. Roman makes his way into the kitchen, going straight for the fridge.

Aiden raises an eyebrow. “Bet?” I slowly turn around, shooting daggers at Alexei, who looks like he’d melt into the floor instead. Roman, on the other hand, has no such survival instincts.

“Yeah, the bet on whether Alina would let Roman put his arm around her,” Alexei mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. Aiden looks from me to Alexei, amused. “And what does that have to do with Kat?”

“Oh, she was so confident Alina would shove him away,” Alexei supplies, clearly ready to die on this hill. Aiden grins, and I immediately regret everything. “Wait. Did you just lose a bet? You?”

I cross my arms. “It was a miscalculation.” Roman cackles as he closes the fridge shut, water in his right hand. “She was so sure. So smug.”

I glare at him. “Traitor.” Aiden leans against the counter, smug.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you be wrong before, Angel Face. This is a historic moment.”

“You realise you’re setting yourself up for an ‘I told you so’ in the future, right?” I say sweetly. His smirk deepens.

“Are you implying that there’s something for you to be right about? Interesting.”

I make a frustrated noise, pushing past him toward the doorway. But before I leave, I throw back, “Fine. Laugh it up. But when Alina and Roman get together, I expect interest in those five bucks. Remember that bet.” I snap at Alexei, who’s already pulling out his phone with a sigh.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll Venmo you.” I give all of them the middle finger as I exit the room and go upstairs.

Roman, still grinning, calls after me, “Make sure you don’t lose any other bets, Kat. Wouldn’t want to ruin that winning record of yours.”

Aiden chuckles behind me, and I don’t have to look to know this is far from over.

I have a feeling he will enjoy holding this one over my head.

Chapter Nine

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