Page 140 of Ice Princess

“I was barely jogging, but you’re about to pass out. If I’d put in a little more energy, you’d be eating dust, Kinsey,” Chance mocks.

I tuck my exhaustion away, hoping that I’m not as red-faced as I feel. “Try harder next time, McLanely. You’re just too slow,” I taunt.

Chance scowls and that expression alone was worth exerting so much energy.

He struts past me to his locker. “I got to the parking lot first. So technically, I was here before you.”

I shrug out of my hoodie and stuff it into my locker, shaking my head.

“By the way, April told me about you and Rebel making things official.” He slaps me on the back. “That’s great, but I’m obligated as Rebel’s honorary brother-in-law to warn you…”

My eyebrows raise at that self-appointed title.

“… if you hurt her, my girlfriend knows how to use a wrench.”

I smirk. “Noted.”

Chance smacks me once more on the back and we head to the ice together. The two of us do drills until coach arrives. Then we spend hours sweating through a series of plays we’re perfecting for the game.

After practice, the team peels away their sweaty hockey gear and hit the showers, but I go straight to my locker. Once I’ve freed my phone from my gym bag, I notice a new notification on the screen.

REBEL:Good morning.

There’s a smiley face emoji, a heart emoji (pink of course) and a sunshine emoji.

I grin as I touch the heart emoji.

My own heart is ramming against my ribs with the force of a defenseman slamming into the boards.

You know what’s crazy?

Even Rebel’s texts are pretty.

I tap the emoji button and a billion emojis pop up. Which one do I use? Why are there so many of them, dang it?

Before I can decide on one, another text comes in.

REBEL:Is practice over?

ME:Yeah. Are you at the garage yet?

REBEL:Heading there in a few.

ME:Hungry?

REBEL:Starving.

ME:Doughnuts?

REBEL:Only if you want my undying love and devotion.

My mouth trembles.

Don’t do it.

My lips inch upward.

Don’t. Be a man, Gunner.

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