Page 118 of Cold As Ice

“Your phone is vibrating,” he said, coming over to us. “You take that, and I’ll deal with Princess Immy and her cat baby.”

I scanned the screen, smiling. “This is a surprise,” I said.

“What? I can’t call my bestie anymore,” Fawn said over her laughter. “How’re things going?”

“Imogen currently has Vader strapped onto her stroller like a doll.”

“Oh my God, that girl is something else. Listen, I can’t talk long, but I wondered if you wanted to come out Friday.”

“I can’t. My parents are still away and—”

“Hi, Fawn, love.” Jeremiah smushed his cheek against mine. “Madi says she would love to come out.”

“Jer,” I hissed.

“She needs a pick me up after Mr. Hockey Player ditched her.”

“Oh, Mads, I’m sorry,” Fawn said.

“It’s fine. I’m fine. And I really can’t make it. I have no one to watch Imogen—”

“She’ll be there. Text her the details. K, love you, bye.” Jeremiah snatched the phone out of my hand and hung up.

“What the hell was that?” I gawked at him.

“I’ll watch Immy. Or Jacqui and Ken will take her. A night out with Fawn will do you good.”

“You said that the last time, and look where it got me.” I sighed.

“I think you’ll find it was a one-way ticket to orgasm town.”

“Jer!” I whisper-shrieked, swatting his arm.

“What?” Laughter pealed out of him, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I know you’re bummed things didn’t work out with Mr. Hockey Hotshot, but you can’t let that stop you.”

“Oh, I don’t know. You know how Fawn and her friends can get.”

“You’re going.” He leveled me with a meaningful look. “Even if I have to drag you there myself.”

CHAPTER21

AUSTIN

The Cincinnati U Cavalierscame out determined to make us work for it. After two early goals—goals I was still kicking myself for conceding—I was beginning to think that our luck had turned.

We’d had a solid run leading up to winter break. But we were missing Connor on defense. Leon had worked hard to pick up the slack, but things weren’t as seamless with a rookie as they were with a senior player with three years of experience under his skates.

Coach had let Connor sit on the bench, though, and by half-time, he was yelling at our players almost as much as Coach Tucker and Assistant Coach Walsh.

“Come on, let’s go Lakers,” I yelled, trying to hype up my teammates. The last thing we needed was a loss.

Another setback going into the final few games before regionals.

Aiden gained the puck, racing down the ice toward the Cavaliers’ goal. “Go, go!” seemed to echo around Ellet Arena, stoking the fire in my veins as I watched our O line fly toward the Cavaliers’ goal.

“Take the shot,” I muttered under my breath.

Aiden was on target to do what our captain did best, but a defenseman closed in, and at the last second, he changed direction and sent the puck sliding across the ice toward Noah instead.

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