Page 113 of Well That Happened

“Yeah,” I admit. “Just never got brave enough.”

He doesn’t say anything. Just holds my gaze a little longer than he should.

Then Hunter scoffs. “You? Not brave? That’s rich.”

The compliment is so unexpected I don’t know what to say. Unless of course it’s not a compliment and he’s going to go back to slut-shaming me.

I grab my drink. “Game’s over.”

But Caleb reaches for my hand under the table.

“You okay?” he asks, voice low.

I nod once and force my lips into what I hope resembles a smile.

The walk back to the hotel is ridiculous in the best way.

It’s freezing, our breaths puff out in clouds, but no one seems to care. Caleb’s got his arm thrown over my shoulders, Grayson’s on my other side quietly humming along to the off-key version of“Mr. Brightside”that Hunter and two teammates are butchering ahead of us.

I’m tipsy. Happy. And entirely surrounded by giant hockey players who just won a game and apparently think the sidewalk is a parade route.

Hunter slaps the back of Caleb’s head when he tries to do a twirl with me. “Save the spins for the ice, ballerina.”

Caleb just grins and keeps singing louder.

By the time we reach the hotel, my face is frozen from laughing.

Inside the room, the warmth is a shock.

I barely get my coat off before Caleb grabs my hand, flops onto the bed, and pulls me into his lap.

“C’mere, celebratory snuggles are medically necessary.”

I laugh, settling on his thighs, hands finding his chest automatically. “Is that a new diagnosis?”

“It is now,” he says—and then he’s kissing me.

Warm. Eager. Smiling against my mouth like he just scored the winning goal andthisis the real reward.

I forget the rest of the room for a second. Forget the hotel. The noise.

Until—

“Bro,” Hunter snaps. “Wejusttalked about this!”

I freeze.

Caleb sighs but doesn’t move. “We were celebrating.”

Hunter’s jaw ticks. “That doesn’t look like celebrating. That looks like second base in a room we’re all sharing.”

“Relax,” Grayson says from his bed, voice calm. “They’re not exactly undressing.”

“Yet,” Caleb mutters under his breath.

I elbow him.

Hunter throws up his hands and grabs a pillow. “I’m sleeping in the goddamn lobby.”

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