Page 162 of Icing on the Cake

But no. It can’t be him. Elliot loves his privacy. He wouldn’t “out” himself to the entire campus.It could be a great cover, though.

I glance down at him as he closes his eyes. He looks peaceful. Serene. Happy.

Elliot isnotthe Ice Queen. I know it in my heart of hearts.

But she is someone I know.

37

GERARD

“Hey, Gerard. Why the long face?”

I look up from the cup of coffee I’ve been cradling to see Sarah staring at me like I’m a puppy for sale. She’s bundled up in a winter coat, earmuffs, a scarf, and mittens. It’s the coldest day on record in Berkeley Shore, so it’s no surprise she’s almost hidden beneath all her layers.

She sits across from me, removes her hat and earmuffs, and sets them on the table. “Is it Elliot?”

“No. Elliot’s great. He’s hanging out with Jackson today. They’re shopping and then seeing the newStar Warsmovie.”

“And you weren’t invited?”

“Don’t tell anyone, but I’m actually not that much of aStar Warsfan.”

She dramatically clutches her chest. “You’re going to hell, you know that, right?”

I shrug. “Considering what Elliot and I have been getting up to lately, I kind of already figured that’s my fate.”

“So, if it’s not Elliot, what’s got you looking so down in the dumps?”

I take a deep breath, lean back in my chair, and run a hand down my face. “It’s the Ice Queen.”

Sarah raises an eyebrow. “The Ice Queen? Not what I was expecting.”

“Yeah, well. Ever since I realized that she’s probably someone I know, I haven’t stopped thinking about her.”

Sarah leans forward, her eyes lighting up with intrigue. “What makes you think you know her?”

“The way she writes about the team. She knows things only someone close to us would know. And the way she describes me…” I trail off as a blush creeps up my neck. “It’s like she’s been watching me, studying me.”

Sarah nods thoughtfully. “So, who do you think it could be?”

I lean forward and rest my elbows on the table.Sorry, Mom.“That’s the problem. I know too many people. She could be a teammate, a coach, or one of the many friends of friends who hang out at the Hockey House. It could even be one of the rink staff.”

Sarah pulls a thermos out of her bag and drinks from it, her eyes never leaving mine. “Okay, then let’s narrow it down. Who has the most to gain from writing about you?”

I pause, considering her question. “I don’t know. What’s there to gain from writing about me? It’s clear that I’m taken.”

Sarah nods. “Maybe someone secretly in love with you and hopes they’ll win you over with their words?”

I almost choke on my coffee. “What? No way. That’s ridiculous.”

Sarah shrugs, leaning back in her chair and crossing one leg over the other. “Is it, though? Think about it. The way she writes about you, the attention to detail. It’s like she’s obsessed with you.”

I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around the idea. “But who would bein lovewith me—aside from Elliot?”

Sarah rolls her eyes. “Gerard, have you seen yourself? You’re a walking sex machine”—Now, I choke on my coffee—“I’m pretty sure half the campus is in love with you. We should focus on the people you talked to the most this semester.”

I nod slowly as my mind races through the possibilities. “Okay, then, let’s start with Drew Larney. He’s our center, and we’ve been tight since freshman year.”

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