Page 47 of Bad Crush
Valley is winningby two at the start of the third period. Adam stands at the edge of the ice near the bench as the guys file in. He’s a giant—broad shoulders accentuated by all the padding and the added inches to his already massive height from the skates. I like how tall and big he is. I feel safe with him.
I didn’t have many male role models in my life (or role models of any gender, actually), so maybe it’s daddy issues that make something like safety seem sexy to me. I don’t care. Knowing Adam could physically maim someone but is choosing to go into a career where he’ll help people makes him incredibly attractive.
Ginny leans over me to speak. “Heath says they’re going to The Hideout after the game.”
“Don’t they always?” Dakota asks.
The answer to that is yes. Or almost always yes.
“I can’t tonight. I promised Matt I would go with him to their frat formal tomorrow. It’s at a resort a couple of hours away, so we’re leaving early in the morning.”
I huff a laugh. “I love how you say, ‘I promised’ like it’s this casual, friend thing.”
“It’s an overnight date?” Ginny asks.
“No.” Dakota shakes her head, then says, “Yes, it’s overnight, but it’s not a date.”
“She’s wearing her high school prom dress. It’s absolutely a date.” I nudge Dakota and smirk at Ginny.
“Whatever. He’s a guy I know from when I ran track, nothing more. I’m wearing sneakers with the dress. Not a date. We’re just friends, and I’m doing him a solid.”
“When have you ever worn anything but sneakers on a date?” I ask. Dakota rocks a pair of sneakers, but if I ever saw her in heels, I might die of shock.
“Once upon a time, I’m sure. Seriously, just friends. I’ve seen him in running shorts—not interested.”
“Well, I’m in for The Hideout,” I say and link my arm through Ginny’s. I’m in for wherever Adam’s going. I haven’t seen him since very early this morning when he left me in his bed to go to their team skate. And I’ve missed him.
My feelings are moving fast despite us taking things slow. Everything about him makes me happy. It’s hard to ease into something you’ve wanted for eternity.
After a Valley win, Dakota drops Ginny and me at The Hideout. The guys are only a few minutes behind.
Adam wraps me in his arms.
“Congratulations.” I inhale as I rest my head against his chest. He smells like soap, and my mind wanders to the shower we took together two nights ago. My nipples tighten, and my face flushes.
“Thank you.” He pulls back, obviously not lost in dirty fantasies. “I’m going to grab another pitcher.”
Someone claps him on the shoulder to offer their congratulations. He turns to say thanks, and I stand just behind him. Ginny’s already planted herself on Heath’s lap, and people are filling up the table we secured. Adam doesn’t look like he’s going to be able to escape conversation anytime soon, so I leave him to claim a chair.
Rhett drops into the one next to me with a sigh. He places his phone on the table.
“Nice game tonight.”
“Thanks.” He pours a beer and then offers the pitcher to me. “You want a beer?”
“Sure.” I move my glass closer, and he fills it.
I scan for Adam, but don’t see him anymore. The empty seats around us are almost gone.
“Should we save Adam a place to sit?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “When he’s ready to sit, he’ll make someone move.”
“Right.” I angle toward Rhett. Without Dakota or Ginny, I feel a little out of place. Which I know is silly, these guys are my friends too, but I rarely interact with them one on one. “How are you doing?”
“Okay.” He shrugs and then runs a hand through his unruly blond hair.
“Have you talked to Carrie?”
