Page 19 of Wild About You
I can’t seem to get enough oxygen in my lungs. I don’t know how he can piss me off and make me want to cry all at the same time.
“I’m busy tonight, but I could meet up with you one night later this week?Justto talk about Everly.”
A small smile passes over his lips. “Tomorrow?”
I nod my agreement. “Sure. Why don’t you stop by the school after Everly is done. We can stay here or there is a coffee shop down the street.”
He runs a hand along his chiseled jaw. His face is more angular now, and the short stubble makes him look older. “Can you meet me at the arena at six?”
“The arena?”
“Yeah, I’m not picking Ev up tomorrow. I have a conflict. But if you meet me at the arena, we can walk downtown and get drinks or dinner.”
“This is sounding more and more like a date.”
“Not a date. Promise.” He holds up both hands.
“Fine,” I say, mostly to be done with this conversation. And maybe a little because I want to prove to him and to myself that I’m over him. I can meet up with him downtown, have dinner or a drink, talk about his sister, and it not be weird.
Why? Because I’m OVER him.
“Great. See you tomorrow, Pipes.” He smiles. A smile that hits me right in the gut.
Oh damn. I’m gonna need a much better poker face for tomorrow night.
6
I WANT TO THROTTLE HIM
PIPER
I getto the arena at five after six, which is basically early for me. Parking is a nightmare, but I find a spot and walk to meet Tyler. The sidewalk is streaming with people in Wildcat hockey jerseys and hats—couples, groups of friends, families. My steps slow as I approach the front entrance.
I stop a girl walking past me. “Excuse me, is there something going on at the arena tonight?”
She smiles big. “Yeah. The Wildcats are playing Dallas.”
“Thanks,” I mutter and continue walking with the rest of the people heading to the game. I stop before getting into the line and pull out my phone to text him, but then realize he’s not going to see it because he’s playing a freaking hockey game.
“I just want to talk about Everly. I have a small conflict. Not a date,” I mutter all the things he said under my breath in a mocking tone. I want to throttle him.
“Hi.” A guy approaches me tentatively. “Are you Piper Vaughn?”
“Yes.” I study his face but can’t place him.
“I’m supposed to give you this.”
I take the envelope from him, and he takes off without another word. If I was hoping for an explanation or maybe an apology, I don’t get it. Instead, I find a ticket for the game and food vouchers.
Against my better judgment, I go inside. My stomach is a wreck, so I bypass food and find my seat. I freeze when I see Everly. I double-check that I’m in the right seat and then she looks up and waves like she was expecting me.
With a sigh, I sit beside her. “Your brother is on my shit list.”
“I’m supposed to tell you that he’ll meet you right after the game and he’s sorry, but it’s the only time he has until next week.”
I arch a brow.
“The team is traveling for away games the rest of the week and into the weekend,” she clarifies.
