Page 116 of Hockey Halloween
“Wish I could say the same,” I mutter smugly. “Unfortunately, you’re about as sharp as a knife at a toddler’s tea party.”
Tristan makes a chortling sound.
I look up to find his hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh out loud. Our eyes catch again and something tugs at the corner of my lips.
It isn’t a smile. That would be ridiculous.
Tristan
A woman walks across the stage in black boots, black leggings, a black sweater dress, and black-rimmed glasses, as if she’s the star of the goth-themed stage. As a Filipina, Ligaya easily stands out in this ordinary suburb of Southwest Ohio. With those full lips, doe eyes, supple skin, and take-no-prisoners attitude, she’s a freaking knockout.
A knockout ready to rip my head off.
She shakes my hand. Making contact with her soft palm zings awareness through my body. The principal’s mouth is moving and the audience seems to be applauding, but all I can register isher.
Ligaya Torres went from an infuriatingly pretty girl to a stunningly beautiful and undeniably sexy woman. A glance downward reveals how well she fills her dress. I look away, focusing on a spot over the high school crowd’s heads. Another glimpse of Ligaya’s curves will turn this public service presentation into a gawking fest. Not that I can admit how gorgeous she is out loud. Trading insults instead of offering praise comes more naturally.
“As always, you are as sharp as a skate blade,” I whisper for her ears only.
“Wish I could say the same, Turd,” she mutters like a ventriloquist.How does she do that? Her mouth barely shifts from the stiff smile. After a beat, Ligaya adds, “Unfortunately, you’re about as sharp as a knife at a toddler’s tea party.”
I snort in amusement, covering my mouth to hold back a laugh. She looks up at me, her nose crinkling slightly and her lips tilting at the corners. I lean in, getting a whiff of her scent, feminine but not flowery. Herbal almost. The aroma tickles my memory of graduation night when we found each other alone, while the rest of the party had passed out or gone home.
And that kiss. Christ, that kiss was hot.
My straying mind failed to notice when the auditorium got dismissed.
What pulls me to the present is a blur of black.
One second Ligaya is beside me, the next she’s ten feet away heading to another hallway.
“Excuse me,” I say to Principal Reinbacher.
My long strides make up ground with little effort because Ligaya is all of 5’2. No taller than when she was as a freshman but with the hourglass curves of a woman.
Tiny enough to pick up with one hand, but vicious enough to kick me if I tried.
Ligaya slips into a room. I follow her and close the door behind me. When she realizes what I’ve done, her mouth opens in shock.
Or anger.
It’s too dark in here to be sure.
“You are as annoying today as you’ve always been,” she barks, her fists pressed against her waist. “What do you want?”
I have a flash of the girl Ligaya was in high school, even prettier when she was riled up. Except now she’s a woman whose sass keeps you on your toes and whose curves could stop traffic.
WhatdoI want? What did I expect to accomplish by following her into this room instead of heading to the parking lot and putting Centerstone High in my rearview mirror where it belongs?
The only answer that makes sense is that I can’t very well let her have the last word. Old habits die hard.
“Had to make sure the shock of seeing me didn’t affect you toomuch. You looked a bit wobbly walking away, Terror. Not to mention, it’s rude to leave without saying goodbye,” I accuse with atsksound.
She huffs. “I’m busy tidying up the costume closet.” Ligaya gestures at the garments hanging on rolling racks along the walls of a space no bigger than a regular bedroom.
“I didn’t realize you worked here. Not likehere.”I indicate the room. “At the high school, I mean.”
I hate it when Ligaya’s right. I really do sound like a turd.
