Page 55 of Silver Fox Puck

She launches a popcorn kernel at my head. "How the hell did you not tell me this sooner?!"

I sigh, dragging the pillow off my face. "Because I didn’t know it was him until I actually saw him at the rink! And then it was too late, and now I don’t know what the hell I’m doing."

Allie stares at me. Then, slowly, a grin spreads across her face.

"Oh my God," she whispers. "You like him."

I scoff. Loudly. Dramatically. "Absolutely not."

Allie just stares. Waiting.

I cross my arms. "It’s a game."

"Uh-huh."

"We’re messing with each other."

"Right."

"It’s not serious."

Allie smirks. "Then why are you spiraling?"

I grab another handful of popcorn and shove it into my mouth like it might somehow absorb the feelings I refuse to have.

Allie smirks. "I’m just saying… you don’t have to fight this."

My stomach tightens. I stare at Allie, the weight of her words settling deep in my stomach.

I don’t have to fight this.

It shouldn’t bother me. It shouldn’t be making my pulse do annoying, stupid things. But it does. Because what if she’s right?

I shake my head, forcing a scoff. "That’s not what this is. It’s a game. That’s all."

Allie takes a slow sip of her sparkling juice, watching me like she knows I’m full of shit.

"You sure about that?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes, I’m sure. We’re messing with each other, that’s it. He’s just fun to push."

Allie’s brow lifts. "Fun to push? Kenz. You’re acting like you’re shoving a guy in the sandbox because you have a crush on him."

I grab a throw pillow and launch it at her face. She catches it, completely unfazed.

"Kenzie," she says slowly, setting the pillow aside. "You’re playing with fire."

"I know," I mutter.

Her lips curve. "And you love it."

I groan, dragging a hand over my face. "It’s just—he’s too controlled. Too put together. It makes me want to crack him."

Allie hums, like she’s pretending to be thoughtful. "Or… you want to be the exception."

My breath catches. My pulse stumbles.

No. That’s not what this is.

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