Page 190 of Ice Princess

I take my shoes off at her door and trek in socks through her pink living room.

“I was going to call you tomorrow,” Rebel says, sitting in the couch.

Unfortunately, her seat of choice is not on my lap.

But at least she hasn’t released my hand yet.

“You should have called.”

“With the last game of the playoffs right around the corner, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. And looking at you now…” Rebel scoots closer and my heart picks up speed. “You seem tired.”

I’ve been stalking my uncle every night.

But I’m not telling her that.

“The coach worked us extra hard today since Max cancelled practice yesterday.”

“I heard about that.” Rebel tucks one leg underneath her. It’s crazy the way she looks ready to pose for a photoshoot when allshe’s doing is getting comfortable. She runs her fingers through her hair and the strands fall perfectly over her shoulder again. “I heard Max was meeting with a new sponsor.”

I nod. Max dragged Chance and I along to a few potential sponsorship meetings while we were away from Lucky Falls. The sponsor he ended up connecting with seemed like the eccentric type, but Max was convinced by her offer and took the investment.

I’m happy if it’ll work out for him and for the team.

“What were you planning on talking about tomorrow?” I ask.

Since she’s holding my hand, it wasn’t to break up with me. I don’t think.

Rebel straightens her shoulders and looks at me head-on. “I asked you for a few days so we can think about us.”

I dip my chin slowly.

“I’ve done enough thinking and I wanted to know if you were done thinking too.”

“What was your conclusion after thinking about it?” I prod.

She scrunches her nose. “You first.”

“I’ll be honest… I made up my mind the moment I put this around your neck.” I swipe my thumb over the pink gemstone.

“Seriously?”

I nod.

She looks away guiltily.

I grip her chin and turn her face back to me. “I don’t mind that you needed space. I want you to make the decision that’s right for you, that makes you happy. More than anything, Rebel, I just want you to be happy.”

“And I wantyouto be happy,” she says earnestly.

I open my mouth to say that I will be, but she speaks first.

“Do you know how difficult it’ll be for you to date the girl who ruined your family? Can you imagine the awkwardness at family gatherings? The disdain on everyone’s faces? You’ll seethe ugliest side of people you’ve known all your life, people you cherish. People you respect. It’ll be uncomfortable for me, but it mightdestroyyou.”

“Then I’ll be destroyed.”

“Gunner…”

“No matter what I lose, if I have you, then I have everything.”

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