Page 41 of Stick It
I snort, watching as she moves over to her tiny kitchen, pulling mugs down from the shelf and lifting out the cocoa powder. Blowing out a breath, some of the tension eases from my shoulders as I sink deeper into her old, cozy sofa.
Wren’s apartment has an open-plan kitchen and living area, with a door off it for the bathroom and another one that leads to her bedroom. The place is furnished with mismatched furniture that should look odd but somehow works. It’s very…Wren. Large windows flood the space with sunlight during the day, and now, as I stare out, I catch the warm glow of apartments across the street and the shimmer of the town beyond.
“Here you go,” she says, handing me a large mug. It’s overflowing with whipped cream and marshmallows, steam billowing off the top.
I nurse it as she gets comfortable beside me, throwing a blanket over us. She has several lamps on around the room, bathing it in a soft, warm glow that casts shadows along the walls. It’s cozy, peaceful. Exactly what I needed after tonight.
“I think Griffin stood up for me tonight.” I’m not sure Iintended to say those words aloud. I hadn’t actually given him a second thought until just now.
Lowering her mug, cream lines her upper lip, creating a comical moustache as Wren gapes wide-eyed at me.
“Griffin?” She clarifies, “Griffin Price, the Steelhawks’ starting goalie and best in the conference?”
I nod. “That’s the one.”
“And you’re only telling me this now?!” She leans forward so abruptly that she nearly spills her hot chocolate.
“I’d forgotten,” I admit, chagrined.
“Youforgotthat Griffin Price stood up to your archnemesis.” She shakes her head, turning to look at…absolutely nothing. “What are we going to do with her? She’s completely hopeless!”
Barking a laugh, I question, “Whoare you talking to?”
She simply waves me away. “Thatis not what’s important right now. Tell meeverything. Don’t spare a single detail. What was he wearing? How hot did he look?” She clutches a cushion to her chest and sighs dramatically. “Griffin has that whole charming-on-the-surface, danger-underneath thing going for him—the kind of guy who smiles just enough to distract you from the fact he might ruin your life.”
I know. Believe me, I know.
And after tonight, I think I’m past the point of distraction.
Her gaze meets mine, a smirk tilting her lips. “I don’t think I’d mind being ruined by Griffin Price.”
Girl, I don’t think I would either!
She playfully slaps my leg when I don’t immediately jump into regaling her with every detail. Just to tease her, I lift my mug to my lips first, taking a long gulp as the rich chocolate glides over my tongue.
Okay, yeah. That’s amazing. I’m now a firm believer that any life crisis requires hot chocolate.
“Hewas with me when Kyle stormed outside,” I eventually share with her.
“Wait, he was already with you?” she interrupts, eyes wide. “As in, already talking to you, or you happened to be standing beside one another, but he was in a conversation with someone else and had no idea you were there?”
“We were talking?—”
“Oh my God! You weretalkingto Griffin Price.”
“If you keep interrupting me, I’m not telling you what happened.”
Huffing, she mimes zipping her lips before gesturing for me to continue.
I smirk at her, but I do admit that when Kyle threatened me, Griffin stepped in and threatened him right back.
“That is so hot,” Wren states in a dreamy voice before straightening. “Wait, does this mean he likes you?”
“What?” I question, startled by her conclusion. “No. Of course not. It means he recognizes my talent and wasn’t going to let Kyle steamroll me.”
“Hmm, I’m not so sure.” The certainty behind her tone has me scoffing and rolling my eyes at the extent of her delusion.
“It didn’t mean anything,” I tell her. “He was just…”
