Page 41 of Off The Ice

“I’m here to take you out.” Maggie beamed. “I thought you might like to have a little fun. There’s a cool bar downtown, and—”

“Maggie, I don’t—” Cassie started before my sister cut her off.

“I know, I know. You don’t drink. But they have mocktails, appetizers, and music. Really, it’s just a chance to get out of this apartment because I’ve been a terrible best friend, leaving you here for days.”

“If she doesn’t drink, then why the hell are you taking her out to bars?” I asked more harshly than I intended.

“Leave us alone, Liam.” Maggie turned to glare at me. “Go do whatever it was you were doing. Besides, I know you. I’m sure you’re itching for a night to yourself.”

Cassie’s eyes glanced over to me, emotion flashing in them quickly before returning her gaze back toward Maggie.

“Okay.” She shrugged, nowhere near confident enough to convince me that she actually wanted to go out. “I’ll go get ready.”

“Cassie, you don’t have to,” I told her.

“Good girl,” Maggie chirped, waving her off as Cassie untangled herself from the blanket she’d been asleep under just moments ago.

I told myself that it didn’t matter. She was my sister’s friend, and I really didn’t have anything to do with her other than givingher a place to crash. So why the hell did it feel like Maggie was the one intruding?

“I guess I’ll go get ready,” Cassie said uneasily before turning toward the staircase and heading up to the guest room.

“What the hell, Maggie?” I spun toward her as soon as Cassie was out of earshot. “What made you think this was a good idea tonight?”

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting so weird about something that has nothing to do with you?” she pushed back like she always did.

“I just thought that even you would have more sympathy for your friend, who very obviously doesn’t want to go out to bars after getting dumped just a few days ago!”

“That’s exactly the point! She’s never going to want to go out. She needs to be pushed out of her comfort zone. That guy was a jerk. You know that. The best way to move on? Meeting guys whoaren’tjerks.”

I scoffed.

“See, you wouldn’t understand because you’re like morally opposed to relationships or whatever, but Cassiewantslove, and she’s not going to find it being holed up in here.”

“Jesus, Maggie. Give her time. She’s not going to want to jump into a relationship right away.” I found myself speaking for her.

I didn’t know if it was true or not, but God, I hoped it was.

Why do you care?My voice of reason questioned.

“Oh, come on, Liam! This isn’t about finding the love of her life tonight. It’s about having fun. Socializing. Getting hit on by cute guys she’ll never see again. It’s the first step in a long process, and frankly, you’re ruining the vibe.”

Getting hit on by cute guys.

The words struck a nerve, sending my instincts into overdrive. I knew what guys at bars were like because the guys on the teamwerethose guys. And they made no secret of discussing at length the nights they shared with women they never spoke to again.

Cassie didn’t deserve that. I didn’t want that for her. It might be irrational, but I pegged it down to protectiveness over my little sister’s friend. If I could look out for her, why wouldn’t I?

“Fine, whatever.” I shrugged, knowing when to pick my battles when it came to Maggie’s determined will. “I’ll drive.”

“You’llwhat?” Maggie’s voice reached a decibel that had me grabbing my ear.

“You’re telling me this is the first night you don’t need a designated driver?”

“And you’re telling me that this is the first night you’re actually going out? No way, something doesn’t make sense.” She shook her head, grilling me with her stare.

After a minute, her scrutinizing glare turned into an all-encompassing smirk.

“You’re into her, aren’t you?” she said knowingly. “I know I was just kidding before on the phone with you, but you actually are!”

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