Page 15 of Falling

So we don’t. We spend the rest of the night talking about everything and nothing until the owner tells us it’s ten minutes until closing time. We’re talking so much I’m afraid that my throat will get dry before we run out of things to discuss. We talk about classes and hockey and his idol, Josh Raymond, and I pretend I know what he’s talking about while he does the same to me as I tell him about my favorite figure skating stars.

As we walk on the sidewalk toward my apartment, I bump my shoulder into his. “Looks like everyone knows you, huh?” I’ve never seen people treat anyone like a celebrity like they do with Miles. Honestly, it was fascinating to watch.

He shrugs shyly, scratching the back of his head. “I guess so. I think it just comes with being the captain and all.”

I turn to him slowly, watching the blush spread across his cheeks. “Oh my god. You love it, don’t you?”

“I don’t hate it.”

His admission only fuels my glee more. “I can just imagine it,” I say, turning my fingers to make a square in front of me like I’m a director bringing a scene to life. “I bet you dream about all these women feeding you grapes while you take turns deciding which one you want to eye fuck.”

He tilts his head down to me, grinning. “That sounds more like your dream than mine.”

“Yeah, whatever,” I mock, shaking my head. I spot my apartment toward the end of the block and I stop, pointing to it. I hook my thumbs into the front pocket of my jeans, rocking back on my heels. “This is me.”

Miles’s eyebrows furrow, pointing at the townhouse behind us. “You live right here? I know it was only a few hours ago, and I’ve got such a teeny tiny brain being a hockey player and all, but I could haveswornyou lived in a fifteen-story apartment, Wren.”

I roll my eyes at his sarcasm. “No, you’re right. It’s the apartments right there, remember?” I tap his forehead before pointing down at the end of the block. I start walking, and he follows me. I turn back to him. I thought that signaled the end of our date, but apparently not. “Where are you going?”

“Walking you home, what does it look like? I’m not letting you walk back in the dark. I’m more gentlemanly than that, princess,” he argues.

“It’s literally a five-minute walk. I can practically see it from here.”

He shrugs. “Well, I can’t. I think it’s best I just walk you there.” He continues walking, and this timeIhave to followhim.

“So, you reallyaremore than just a pretty face then, huh?” Isay when I catch up to him. He slings his arm over my shoulder again, a casual move he’s been doing all day that stupidly makes me swoon.

He sighs, shrugging like he’s just way too fucking cool for this. “Something like that.”

When we reach my apartment, he insists on walking me inside and up to my floor. I don’t bother arguing with him. It’s like having an overprotective golden retriever follow me around, and I don’t hate it.

I lean against my door and say, “For losing a bet, I had a really good time today.”

He grins. “Yeah, me too.” I turn to unlock my door, but before I can slip inside and hide myself away for the rest of the night, Miles grabs my wrist and tugs me back into him. The contact of his fingers wrapped around my wrist sends a hum of pleasure through my entire body. It feels a lot like butterflies. Something I haven’t felt in a long time. “Good night, Wren.”

My eyes flicker up to his, and I have to hide the smile that is twitching on my cheek. “Good night, Miles.”

7

MILES

“IT’S A SLOW BURN, MILES.”

Morning, Wrenny! How are you?

I think I’m just going to chill today.

Wanna hang out?

Being benched really sucks. I knew it would, but it’s really starting to get to me.

Wrenny

I’m omw to practice. Bye!

I getto the rink just in time.

I know I shouldn’t be here. I can think of a million other things my coach would rather I was doing. Like, I don’t know, going to practice and doing things that could possibly get me back on the ice. I’m sure he’d prefer me to be onourrink instead of watchingWren skate.

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