Page 211 of Break the Ice
“So, how are the guys?” Summer asks, leaning close so we don’t have to shout. “They’re like Parker with the text check-ins. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s good knowing you’re someone’s every thought, but it must be… worrisome… to be so far…”
I smile, unsure how to hold any of that in my mouth. Even if she hasn’t asked for labels, Summer’s not stupid or naïve. Thing is, if I wanted to give her something, I don’t have any labels that fit. What Eli, Jayden, and I are building doesn’t sit in a neat box. It sits in my chest like something that’s always been mine, always lived in me and finally has a body.
“Shoot, sorry,” she says. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“You’re fine,” I say, taking the water Christina presses into my hand. I lower my voice. “They’re good. Elijah’s back to normal. Jayden is… Jayden. He’s probably obsessing about the loss.”
“Parker had the game on earlier,” she says, smile soft. “Bummer about the Comets, but we’re rooting for them. My little boy gets so excited when they win. Actually, both my boys do.”
The way her face lights is warm and easy. Family. Future. It makes me think, briefly, about paths. About living outside all the lines. About how the idea of squeezing us into someone else’s right feels scarier than carving our own.
“Are you going to dance?” Christina doesn’t wait for an answer, she steals my hand and spins me toward the dance floor.
Honor and Alice are already in the middle of it, hair wild, arms up. The band slides into a country-tinged anthem and the whole place erupts into chorus. It’s nothing like the last bar night; this one is loose and joyful. A pocket of air that smells like lime and laughter.
“Oh my God,” I giggle as Christina and Alice break into a coordinated bit. “You’re ridiculous.”
“It’s the whole point of girls’ night, Amish!” Christina twirls Aliceback to Honor and then yanks me close. “Come on, you have the perfect ass to shake to this.”
“I don’t know how to dance,” I protest, tugging at the hem of my dress and trying not to topple in heels.
“Go with the flow. Shake your ass to the beat and the rest of you will follow.”
I try. It works, somehow. We’re breathless and damp and giddy when we peel off toward the bar. Honor and Christina duck to the bathroom while Alice and I order drinks. Water for me because I want to remember every second to tell the guys later.
I’m lifting my phone to snap a photo for our group chat when someone bumps me. The phone clatters to the floor. The guy that bumped me is already crouching to grab it when I bend.
“I am sorry,” he says, straightening with a wide grin and an anxious hair sweep.
It’s the guy from the restaurant. The watcher.
“It’s fine,” I say, stepping back and taking the phone from his hand.
“Let’s go find the prodigal hoes,” Alice yells in my ear, mouth pulled into a wicked smile.
“Sure.” I reach for my purse on the bar.
“Hey!” the guy calls, hand closing on my arm and pulling me a step back.
“What the fuck, dude, take your hand off her!” Alice is already squaring up, voice slicing through the music. “Creepy-ass motherfucker. Are you stalking her?”
He lifts both hands, one still holding a phone. “Not stalking… just grabbing the best tacos and taking in the greatest atmosphere in the city.” His eyes flick to me, dark and unreadable in the light. “You took my phone.”
Shoot. “Sorry.”
I hand him the phone I’m holding, only realizing as it leaves my fingers that it isn’t mine. He gives it a quick once-over and passes me mine.
I lock it without checking the screen and slide it into my purse.
“Can I get you a real drink?” he asks, softer now. “To make up for my clumsiness.”
“Thank you, but I have a… I’m not single,” I say, because even if he isn’t a stalker, he was looking at me like he wanted something.
He leans in, grin shifting. “I’m sure there are plenty of men in this bar who’ll be disappointed, but I’m not into the XX chromosome.”
It takes a heartbeat to catch up. Heat climbs my neck. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to… Jesus, I’m sorry.”
A low laugh rumbles out of him. He signals the bartender. “How about that drink…” He pauses, waiting.
