Page 98 of Stay
Each time I do, my gaze catches his.
As soon as the buzzer sounds, I jump off the ice and race to the locker room where I quickly shower and change. I’m almost afraid to return to the rink. I’m terrified he’ll be waiting for me.
How did he know I was playing hockey again?
Is he following me?
Nausea blooms to life at the bottom of my belly.
Sammy is yanking up her skinny jeans when I ask, “Did you notice the guy in the stands?” Even though I strive for nonchalant, a slight tremble threads its way through my voice.
Not picking up on my anxiety, she shrugs. “Sometimes people like to watch practice. It’s not a big deal.” Her gaze settles on me with more interest. “Do you know who it was?”
I glance away as my teeth sink into my lower lip. I’m not sure if I should tell her. It’s always possible I’m overreacting, right?
“I think it was one of the guys from the men’s hockey team.” I clear my throat and force out the rest. “Luke something or other.”
With a nod, she finishes tying her shoes. “I know who he is. He just transferred in. I think he went to a big school out East. From what I heard, he wasn’t getting enough playing time, so he left.” She flashes me a sly smile. “I got the lowdown from Cole cause that boy is smoking hot with a capital H.”
“Does he have a girlfriend?” For all I know, he was here watching someone else. Maybe he’s here watching someone else and I’m just a paranoid freak.
“Not that I know of.” Her smile fades as her eyes narrow. “Why? Are you interested?”
I shake my head. As much as I like Sammy, I’m not about to bring up my past with her. “No, not at all.”
After shoving gear into her locker, she slams the door shut with a resounding thud. “Good, because my cousin really likes you and,” she pauses to flex her pipes, “I’d have to kick your ass if you hurt him. Cole is like a brother to me.”
There’s no doubt in my mind that Sammy could wipe the floor with me. Even though she’s a total hard ass, she’s a likable one.
As long as you stay on her good side, that is.
“I won’t hurt him.” Even as the words spill from my lips, I pray they’re true.
“Good, because that guy has been through enough.” She gives me a bit of side-eye before packing up her bag. “Has he told you anything about Jackie?”
Jackie?
I would have remembered if Cole brought up another girl.
“No, he hasn’t mentioned her.”
My mind tumbles over our previous conversations and I wonder if she’s the one he’d alluded to after the party when we’d been sitting in his car outside the dorm. I’d gotten the feeling he’d been cheated on.
Sammy nods as if she’s not surprised. “He doesn’t like to talk about her.”
It feels wrong to pump Sammy for information about her cousin when I haven’t been forthcoming with my own background. I resist for a handful of seconds before the question shoots out of my mouth.
“Were they together long?”
Sammy remains quiet for a long stretch of moment. Just when I think she’ll ignore me, she says, “Yeah. They were friends for most of their lives before dating in high school. They ended up splitting last year. It got pretty ugly.”
I sink onto the wooden bench in surprise. “Oh.”
I have no idea what I’d been expecting, but that hadn’t been it. I’m almost sorry I asked.
They’d been friends their entire lives and dated in high school?
That sounds serious.
