Page 79 of Hockey Halloween
I didn’t do it back in high school, when we were at a friend’s party and she whispered that she liked me—I laughed it off and walked away with Suzy-freakin’-Sizemore. Of all the girls to toss my arm around. Yeah, that was hurtful, but I had no choice because I needed to send a clear message that there will never be romance between us. I will never mess up what we have.
We never spoke about it again. Just buried it. Deep. Which means I officially have zero claim on her. She’s single, and she can do whatever—whoever—she wants.
Fuck me.
“What’s up, Big Bad?”
Speaking of killer dimples. Roman comes from down the hall, firefighter helmet askew, as he fixes his suspenders—and I don’t want to know what, or who, went down in the bathroom with him.
“Nothing,” I grouch.
He squints at me and I get it. Why would he believe anything coming out of my mouth? I’m standing here in the corner of the room scowling when everyone else is enjoying Gina and Ash’s Halloween party. “We won our last few games,” he cajoles, nudging me. “And tonight we’re celebrating one of my favorite holidays…” He paused to mock shiver. “…except for ghosts. Ghosts scare the crap out of me.” He rubs his stomach like he hasn’t already devoured half the snack table. “There’s food, fun, costumes…what could possibly be ruining your night?”
I grip my beer glass tight, tight enough I might shatter it, and force a swallow.
“What part ofnothingdidn’t you understand?”
“Dude, you look like someone just kicked your puppy.”
“I don’t have a puppy and if someone kicked it, I’d break their fucking legs.”
“Okay then,” Roman says, dragging the words out as his gaze sweeps the crowded living room, landing exactly where mine is.
Paisley.
Laughing.
With Jaxon.
And not just any laugh.Thatlaugh. The one that crinkles her nose and makes her green eyes sparkle. Everything about it hits me like a goddamn slapshot to the chest.
I force my focus back to Roman. One eye on him. One eye glued to her.
Because I’m just watching out for her, obviously. Friendly vigilance. That’s all.
Yeah sure, buddy. Whatever you need to tell yourself.
“Ah,” Roman murmurs, low and knowing. Like he’s cracked the code. Like my face is an open book and he just read a secret chapter.
But no, he can’t know. At least that’s what I have to tell myself, because if he did, it’d be a problem. The last thing I need is for the guys thinking I’m into Paisley, because that would get back to her. When it comes to the team, gossip spreads faster than a free buffet announcement. Christ, even the backup goalie’s grandma knew Gina had turned Roman on to a new fabric softener a couple of months ago.
Wanting to nip this now, I grouch, “What do you mean by…’ah’?”
“Paisley,” he begins as Melanie comes from the kitchen.
“What about her?” My voice comes out harsher than intended. But maybe that’s good. Maybe it will shut him down.
“Who wants eyeballs?” Melanie asks as she carries a tray of grapes made out to look like eyeballs. Appealing…not. Okay, maybe I’ll have just one. I pluck one from the tray. Anything to keep my hands busy while I pretend not to watch Paisley like a hawk.
Melanie saunters over to Paisley as Jaxon throws his arms around Dania, a puck bunny who just showed up wearing his number. Good. He’s moved on. Excellent. But speaking of puck bunnies… Maddy, who is a good friend of Dania’s, wanted to come tothis party with me. She wasn’t too pleased when I told her Paisley was in town and we’d be hanging out. It’s not like Maddy is my girl or anything. We hooked up a few times, and well… Okay, fine, who am I to say anything about Jaxon’s rotating door when I have one myself?
Melanie leans in to say something to Paisley. I can’t hear it. But whatever it is, it makes Paisley glance my way…and smile. Just a little. Just enough to make my heart do something it hasn’t done since…well, since she last visited and smiled at me like that.
I immediately look away, like she didn’t just pull the floor out from under me with a glance. I turn my attention back to Roman and pretend Paisley isn’t the gravitation center of my freaking universe.
“What were you saying?” I ask.
Roman grins. “Hey Big Bad, if you and Paisley?—”
