Page 49 of Hidden Goal

When I dated his high school teammate, and later found out he was using me to bait my brother, Leo fought him and moved on with his life. While I dropped Cody like a bad habit, I held on to that feeling of being burned. Call it the spark that started my anti-hockey player smear campaign. I don’t want to say he loves any less than I do, but I definitely hold onto the love I’m willing to give out like I only have so much of it, while he gives his a little more freely.

“I know you don’t want to give anyone a chance… ever.” He gives me a pointed look. “But I like her.”

My shoulders drop and I let out a breath. I can’t be mad at him because he doesn’t lock himself up from people, especially when it’s one of the things I love most about him. I want Leo to find someone that makes him happy, and if I have to play nice for him, I’ll do it.

“Well, I’m going home next weekend, so can you bring her to the dinner after that? I don’t want to miss out.” Chloe pipes up, cutting any leftover tension.

Leo rubs the top of her hair, making a mess of her blonde waves, causing my dad and me to laugh.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom, and then Stella and I gotta get going.” I hike a thumb over my shoulder as I stand from the booth. “A night is about to be had.” I clap.

I quickly use the bathroom, wash my hands, and kick open the door. I pull my phone from my pocket with one hand and cover the spread of a smile with my other when I open the text from Noah.

Noah: Happy Birthday, Savvy Girl! I got a birthday kiss with your name on it.

I lean against the wall, tucked away in a corner, free from prying eyes. I strum my bottom lip, attempting to bite down on all the things I actually want to say.

Savannah: Kiss yourself, King.

Noah: I love that sassy mouth of yours.

Thank god he can’t see me. I'm confident my tan cheeks just turned a shade of red.

Noah: Just so you know, I don’t have any plans tonight. I’m still holding out hope for an invitation.

Savannah: You don’t have plans because you have an early morning practice.

Noah: Doesn’t mean I’m not still trying to see you tonight.

I stare at the words longer than I’d like to admit, and since I can’t think of anything to say that isn’t‘come,’ I tuck my phone in my pocket and head back to my table.

It’s one of those rare Saturday nights when not a single LCU team has a home game, which meansRowdy’sis half full of town locals rather than packed with university students. Typically, I prefer it this way, but after having a taste of what it’s like to be here with Noah at my side, with his hand on my thigh and the back of my neck… I shake my head, clearing it of all thoughts about that six-foot-something, sinful smirking, shameless flirt and bring my attention back to Chloe.

We have a monopoly on the dance floor tonight, even though we get interrupted a handful of times by guys we have no interest in talking to. One of my famous dirty scowls has most of them turning on their heels, though.

“Another?” Chloe raises the drink in her hand.

I nod my head, “Yeah, and I’m gonna go pee!”

“Don’t break the seal!” Her eyes bug out of her head.

“I’ve had one drink, and you know that’s a myth.”

She shrugs before tipping her can back, finishing her drink, and then heading to the bar.

Before I know it, I’m leaning next to the hand dryer, nipping at the corner of my thumbnail and holding my phone to my ear.

“Hello?”

Fuuuck.

“Oh god, you’re sleeping. Sorry.” I’m thrown off guard by the reaction my body has to Noah’s sleepy voice. I cross my feet at my ankles, squeezing my thighs together.

“Don’t be sorry, I wish you’d call me more often.” I take a look in the mirror, trying to steady myself. “Where are you?”

Peeling my eyes from the mirror, I look around the dingy bathroom. “Rowdy’s—more specifically, the bathroom.”

“Oh, yeah? How’s the floor in there?” I can hear his smile through the phone, but he can’t see my confusion. I lift my foot off the ground and have to pull it up with some force.

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