Page 32 of The Trophy

My heart breaks because I’m dying to tell her what transpired yesterday between me and Topher.

I almost do and consequences be damned, but the guys have been honest with me and they deserve to know what’s at stake if I antagonize their frat president.

I have no doubt that between me and Topher, Bay would believe me, but I’ve seen that douche talk his way out of more than one sticky situation with Bay.

My sister isn’t naive but deep down, she’s truly in love with Topher, so she’ll always try her hardest to see the best in him.

If I stick our necks out, it better be worth it, I need a plan, so I bite my tongue again.

Bay’s phone buzzes in her hands. “Topher is out front waiting for me. Are you sure you’re going to wait for Blaze?”

I nod. “Yeah, I’ll see you at the party.”

I watch my twin sister walk out of the main doors of the arena as I make my way to the back.

The evenings are starting to get colder now that October is about to end; nothing compared to the nights back home of course, California is much warmer, but I shudder as I fish for my phone in my purse.

Blaze’s bike is in the same spot it was on our first date but there’s no sign of him; maybe I should text him to make sure he isn’t catching a ride with one of his teammates.

My phone buzzes the second my fingers close around the case.

Cash:

Hey baby, I’m so sorry but I’m not gonna make it to tonight’s party. Something came up and I need to go home. I promise I’ll call you later and I’ll make it up to you. I miss you and I hope you’re not too mad at us. Xoxo Cash

I can’t help but feel disappointed that I’m not going to see him tonight. I feel like since our first date, we never got to spend any quality time together. Cash has been better with texting and calling after his initial disappearing act, but if we don’t count the night in LA, our second date never really happened.

“Hey pretty girl,” Blaze’s deep voice pulls me out of my own thoughts and when I lift my face to meet his intense green eyes, heat immediately rises to my face.

He reaches me in a couple of long strides but stops short of touching me.

There’s hesitation in his eyes, as if he was trying to guess how much trouble he is in after our last conversation.

In other circumstances, I’d have loved nothing more than to toy with him and make him sweat a little bit to get out of the metaphorical dog house, but I’m too preoccupied right now.

“Hey you,” I say, offering him my hand to take.

Blaze closes his fingers over mine, his much bigger hand engulfing mine completely; to my surprise, rather than lacing our fingers together, he brings my knuckles to his lips. “Your hands are cold.”

I nod. “I was just thinking that nights are starting to get a lot cooler now.”

His gaze searches mine, the same way my sister’s just did, but Blaze isn’t as confident as Bay in guessing my feelings. “For as much as the weather in Star Cove is a riveting conversational point,” he says, without taking his eyes away from mine. “I hope that the fact that you’re here, means you decided to give me and the guys the benefit of the doubt. Unless, you’re here to break up with me in person.”

Ok, I guess I was lying a second ago. I can’t resist the urge to tease him just a little. “There’s something I need to discuss with you guys.”

His frown deepens. “This is getting worse by the second. Nothing good ever came from we have to talk. Are you sure you aren’t going to break up with us? Or with some of us?”

I reassure him. “I wouldn’t call it a breakup, Blaze,” I say, channeling Bay’s legendary poker face. “We can’t really break up if we aren’t really together.”

So far I’ve struggled to reconcile the softer, gentler version of Blaze off the ice with the fierce, quick tempered enforcer I’ve seen during games. I’m reminded of how Blaze earned his nickname “Fire” by his reaction to my provocation.

“The fuck we aren’t together,” he growls, pulling me to his chest. “Don’t let that stupid dare convince you otherwise, Lake. You aren’t a puck bunny and to me, you stopped being my auction date the second I kissed you for the first time. I’ve never asked a puck bunny to a date and I usually avoid repeat performances, once I’ve fucked someone. Do I want Coach to choose me as team captain? Fuck, yeah. But if the choice is between being captain or having a shot with you, fuck it. Luca and Cash can battle it out between them. The only fight I’m interested in, is the one to get and keep your attention.”

There’s no doubt that he means every word, the passion in his voice and the way he’s looking at me shine with sincerity.

“Really?”

The fact that I know he means it, doesn’t mean I don’t need a little reassurance that I’m not being played.

---