Page 145 of Cold As Ice

Did I?

“Oh shit, you really are clueless, aren’t you?” Noah grinned like an idiot.

“I gave her tickets to that hockey game Harper is taking Scottie and the group to watch.”

“No fucking way.”

“What?” I balked.

“I didn’t know you had it in you. Way to score brownie points with the kid, too.”

“I told her not to tell her they were from me.”

“What? Why?”

“Because asshole, I haven’t even formally met her. It’s weird.”

“Austin, it’s not—”

“Yeah, it is.” Dropping my head back against the seat rest, I inhaled a thin breath. “What the fuck am I doing, Holden?”

“I think it’s time.”

“Time?” I cast him a sideways glance, wondering what the hell was about to come out of his mouth next.

“Yeah, it’s definitely time.” His mouth twitched.

“I swear to God, Holden. If you don’t tell me what the fuck you’re talking about, I’ll make you sit with Leon.”

“Heard that, asshole,” he grumbled, lifting his hand to flip me off over the seat.

“Yo, Mase. What do you think? You think it’s time we induct our boy into the club?” Noah’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

Mase shook his head. “Nah, I’m not sure he’s ready.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think he’s almost there.” The two of them continued talking about me like I wasn’t sitting right fucking there.

“I’m not listening to this bullshit,” I muttered, pulling my ball cap down over my eyes.

“Listen, don’t listen,” Noah chuckled. “Still doesn’t change the fact that you, my friend, have finally joined the dark side.”

CHAPTER26

MADISON

“Madison, over here.”Harper waved Imogen and me over. But the second Immy spotted Scottie she took off like a whippet, darting between the sea of bodies to get to him and Harper.

“Princess Imogen,” he said, patting her on the head.

“Whens does the hockey start?”

“We have to find our seats first,” he said, and Harper and I watched them with wide smiles.

“I’m glad you came.” Harper turned her attention to me, a sheepish expression falling over her. “So I probably should have mentioned this sooner, but I didn’t want you to change your mind.”

“Hi, I made it.” I turned to find Rory approaching. She offered me a warm smile, but it did little to ease the knot in my stomach. “I take it from your expression that you didn’t know I was coming.”

The look she gave Harper was telling.

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