Page 117 of Rush the Edge

We got caught up in the moment.

He said things he didn’t mean, and I naively believed them.

It’s not like anything was supposed to come from us having sex, other than orgasms, and we both got that, so end of story.

Cindy rattles off names, but I forget them all when she sayshis.

I make a noise, and Reese snags my eye. She looks at me funny. “I knew it,” she whispers excitedly. “That’s not hatred I feel between you two…it’s…sexual tension!”

I shush her as we follow Cindy into the locker room.

For once, it smells clean and fresh. There's no stench of sweaty men or their gear. Several kids, all ranging in ages, stand with their parents while waiting for the hockey players.

A few of them smile widely when they see me. One little girl squeals and lets go of her mother’s hand. She has pink braces on her legs, but she doesn’t let it stop her from rushing me.

“Devil girl!” she exclaims.

I drop down to get on her level and open my arms for a hug.

My heart swells, and I forget all about Kane and my wounded ego—for a second, at least.

“I’m Abby!” She giggles.

Before I know it, almost every child circles me like a shark. Hug after hug after hug. The cameras have shown up, but I pretend they’re not there and keep hugging kids and posing for photos.

The air shifts behind me, and I notice the adults in the room all swing their gazes to the door. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the players have entered the locker room. Still surrounded by the kids, I manage to peek through the crowd.

I see him right away. I’m pulled to him like a magnet.

A gust of butterflies fills my stomach.

There’s a tiny hand that finds its way into mine. I look down and smile at the dark-haired boy. He smiles so widely I can see that he’s missing both of his front teeth.

“Want a photo?” I ask.

He nods, his warm brown curls bouncing.

I laugh as he drags me through the locker room, the camera no longer paying any attention to us but instead on the players. “Where are we going?” I ask.

I realize exactly where we’re headed after a few seconds, because, apparently, fate hates me.

The little boy’s dad catches up to us. His hand lands on my elbow, and I slow our pace. “Sorry.” He laughs nervously. “Jonas is nonverbal.”

I smile. “It’s perfectly fine. Do you think he wants a picture with a specific player?”

Anyone other than Kane.

The dad shrugs shyly. “You. I think he has a crush on you.”

I glance at Jonas. He puts his head down quickly. I give his hand a squeeze. “You’re officially my favorite, but don’t tell the others.”

His dad chuckles. He tells me more about Jonas, and I’m fully engaged until a heavy presence appears, shadowing us like a storm cloud. Jonas tugs on my hand and leads me right into the thick of it.

Kane’s body heat mingles with mine, awakening every nerve I’ve tried to cover up. Our gazes catch with Jonas in between us. His dad bends down to get on his level, and it takes everything I have to break eye contact with Kane.

“Jonas, do you want a picture with Barlow? Is that why you’re dragging…” His father glances at me.

Oh, right.Name.

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