Page 125 of Cold As Ice

Did he wish that he’d picked someone with less baggage?

Or did he not care enough to think about it?

From the way he had ignored me since arriving, I was pretty sure it was the latter.

“I’m just going to use the restroom,” I said to no one in particular.

I used the moment to text Jeremiah and check in on Imogen.

Madi: Is she sleeping?

Jer: Of course. Uncle Jerrykins runs a tight ship you know. How’s girls’ night?

Madi: It was great until a certain hockey player showed up.

Jer: Holy shit. He’s there? This is perfect…

Madi: No, it’s really not.

Jer: Of course it is. You can flirt and dance with some other guys and make him realize what he let slip through his fingers.

Madi: I’m a mom, Jer. My daughter is literally asleep in your guest room. I don’t have the time or energy to play games.

Jer: Fine, forget I said anything. At least don’t let him ruin your night.

Madi: I’ll try.

Jer: Atta girl!

I rolled my eyes at that. Jeremiah was my best friend. My ride or die, but he was also a giant pain in my ass.

Checking my reflection in the mirror, I washed my hands and smoothed the loose tendrils around my face behind my ear.

I hadn’t gone over the top tonight, opting for skintight black jeans and a sparkly off-the-shoulder top. But it was hard to keep out the pang of self-doubt when Austin had barely looked twice in my direction.

No. Screw him.

Jeremiah was right.

I didn’t have to let him ruin my night.

With a new sense of resolve, I exited the restrooms, only to walk straight into him. “Austin,” I breathed. “Listen, I—”

“What the hell are you doing?” he growled, crowding me against the wall.

“Excuse me?”

“Why are you here, Madison?”

“I… Sorry, what?” I blinked at him, certain I’d misheard him or, at the very least, misinterpreted the anger in his voice. “It sounds like you’re saying I shouldn’t be here.”

“Is this some weird attempt to get close to me by using my friends?” His brow arched with heavy accusation.

“You did not just say that.”

Who the hell was this guy?

And why did his words hurt as much as they pissed me off?

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