Page 37 of Ice Princess

An uncomfortable feeling presses into my chest. The more I think about what happened, the more annoyed I am that I didn’t speak up earlier.

After everything he’s done to April and Rebel, the decent thing would be to leave them alone now.

Is that why you’re holding Rebel hostage in a fake relationship? Are you doing the decent thing?

I clench my jaw.

“This is me,” Rebel says quietly.

I look up and realize we’re standing in front of her car. Without a word, I nod my goodbye and turn to leave.

“Gunner.”

I face her.

Rebel chews nervously on her plump bottom lip. “I, uh, I’m coming to the game tonight. Just a heads-up.”

Of course she is. Half of Lucky Falls is showing up tonight. We won’t be home much during the play-offs, so this is the only chance the town has to catch a game live. No one’s going to miss it.

But why is Rebel telling me that now? Does she need something?

“I’ll get you the family tickets,” I tell her, figuring that’s what she’s asking for.

Rebel’s eyes widen. “What? No. I’m going with April, so I don’t need… no.”

Alright then.

Rebel fiddles with her car keys, opens her mouth and then slams it shut. With abrupt movements, she opens her car door.

I turn to go.

Suddenly, she slams it shut and stomps over to me. “Why did you do that?”

I arch a brow. “Do what?”

“Chase your uncle out? I could have handled myself. You didn’t need to step in.”

I catch my breath as I fall into those fierce blue eyes. They’re surrounded by thick lashes, delicate arched eyebrows, and set in a peaches-and-cream complexion. It’s unfair how beautiful she is. Even though I should regret ruining her lunch today, I can’t.

I enjoyed eating with her.

I’d do it again.

“So?” Rebel folds her arms over her chest, her eyes cutting through me. “What was it? Did I look that helpless to you?”

“It wasn’t about you.”

“What was it about?”

I move my gaze past her. Her eyes are so incredibly blue that I can’t keep ahold of my thoughts if I look directly at them.

“It was my fault.”

“You’re… what?” She gawks.

My fingers pull into fists. “You should feel safe when you’re with me. You should feel protected. That’s what a partner is supposed to do. I failed. I let my uncle stay too long at the table. I shouldn’t have let him sit down in the first place.”

“That’s…” Rebel sputters and a slight pink dashes across her cheeks. “That’s ridiculous.”

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