Page 12 of Break the Ice
“You had to get your dick wet?” Matheo spits before tossing an apologetic look at the girl. “No offense, Sweetheart.”
“Morrow’s been worried sick,” Andersen snaps, tipping his chin at me.
I don’t answer. I stand instead, but my gaze locks on Eli. His shaggy blond hair hangs dull, dark circles dragging at his eyes. The brown is nearly black when he looks at me.
“I don’t know what to say as I edge around the table, studying the way his hand is still holding the girl’s in a white-knuckled grip that she reciprocates.
The Eli I know has no interest in women or men. The Eli I know is solitary and reserved to the point that sometimes I have to stay near him a moment longer to make sure he’s not a figment of my imagination.
This Eli is… a stranger.
“Jayden… wait,” he calls when I walk away.
The need to turn back aches in my bones. I keep moving through the restaurant to the lobby. I can’t look at him. I can’t look at her.
“Please, Jayden.”
I keep going, fighting every instinct. Confusion. Annoyance. Worry. All of it pounding in my skull.
“Morrow!” His fingers catch my arm. I yank free, heat streaking up my skin when I meet his pleading gaze.
“Can you…” He glances at the girl, then brings her closer. “I haven’t picked up my room key yet… Can you help me out?”
“I got a game to prep for.”
“I know,” he says, scanning the lobby. “But, please.”
That tortured-boy look hits me dead center. It always does. Fighting it is a waste of time.
“What do you need?”
His eyes flick between me and the girl. I know I’m screwed before he speaks. “Can Finley hang out in your room while I go see Coach and pick up my room key?”
“Seriously? You want me to babysit your girlfriend?” I study her.
Golden-brown hair veils half her face. Her eyes pull me up short. Not just blue—ice-blue, bright and winter-clear. They soften when she tries a small smile. It doesn’t make it to her eyes, but it warms the edges of her face.
Eli’s never mentioned her. Never mentioned anyone. I thought… I?—
Fuck. He’s my best friend.
“Please, JJ.” He wraps an arm around her. He’s wired tight. She leans in and brings his attention down to her. “I can wait down here. It’ll be fine… I’ll be okay.”
“Not happening. We stay at this hotel every time we play Florida. Your brother will know where to find you, and?—”
“The Wolves have a game today.”
“And your brother is suspended, too.”
No. What is he doing?
My stare snaps up. He gives me that brow-tilt that begs.
Fuck. Me.
“Please,” he mouths.
The familiarity clicks. The eyes. Tomes’s eyes. Not cold like his, but close enough to send a prickle across my skin. Eli’s hand clamps around her shoulder. His scabbed knuckles look ready to split.
