Page 5 of Stick It
Shit.
He must see something in my expression because he drops the whole flirtatious act, finally pushing himself off the doorframe to stand upright.
“You sure you’ve got the right street?” he asks more seriously.
“Is there another Athletes Row?” My voice is higher than I’d like, and panic starts to tighten my throat.
“Nope. Just the one.”
Fuck. Shit. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I spin away from him, needing a moment to process. To break. To scream at the universe for fucking me over…again.Just in a brand-new and creative way.
Fate, you heinous bitch!
“Hey, it’s okay.” His fingers brush my shoulder, and I flinch away. He instantly drops his hand, stuffing both into the pockets of his sweats. “I’m sure we can get this sorted out. What’s yourname?” His softened tone only serves to make tears gather in my eyes. I force them back.
Nope, this is not happening here.
I will get through this just as I have gotten through everything else…and then I’ll cry silently into my pillow when I’m alone.
“Dylan,” I inform him when I finally regain control of my vocal cords. “My name is Dylan.”
His eyes widen in surprise before a cheerful grin splits his face in two, showing straight white teeth that have no business belonging to a hockey player. They must all be fake. I bet he keeps them in a jar on his bedside table at night.
Strangely, believing that makes me feel marginally better.
“There’s obviously been some mix-up. We’re waiting for a new roommate called Dylan. Admin must have gotten you mixed up.” He waves his hand dismissively. “I bet he’s having the time of his life thinking he’s rooming with the girls’ swim team for the year.” My lips twitch slightly, and catching it, his emerald eyes sparkle. “Lucky for you, that means you get to chill with me and my buddies tonight.” He wags his eyebrows suggestively. “And in the morning, you can go to admin and sort it all out.”
The color drains from my face at the mention of more of them.Oh gods, which other team members does he live with?Because Iknowwhoever else lives in this house is also a hockey player. That’s how BSU does it.
“Hey.” Misinterpreting my distress, his hands fly up, fingers spread, palms forward. I notice that he carefully ensures he’s an arm’s length away from me. “I just meant you can have Dylan’s—the other Dylan’s—room until tomorrow. You can lock yourself in there, and you don’t have to say a word to any of us. That’s cool. Or you can go to a hotel,” he continues. “That’scool, too. I was only offering ’cause I didn’t know your situation or…”
Okay, it’s actually kinda adorable when he does that. I’ve watched Finn O’Rourke many times on the ice, and not once has he ever shown anything other than unwavering confidence and blatant determination.
“It’s fine,” I interrupt with a tight smile. “I’ll stay.”
His shoulders drop from his ears as he visibly relaxes.
Grinning broadly, he steps aside and ushers me in. “Welcome to the hottest house on campus.”
Fantastic, and I’m the one about to be tested in the flames…literally.
Because, you see, I’ve already pieced together what Finn has yet to.
That there is. No.Male.Dylan.
And soon enough, he—and whichever other Steelhawks live here—are going to realize that not only am I their new roommate, but I’m also their new teammate.
Yup, that’s right. I’m about to be the only girl on an all-boys Division One hockey team.
What could possibly go wrong?
From experience…absolutely everything.
2
ETHAN
