Page 78 of Rinkmates

Liora: Are the others better?

Puckster: Well, it’s 69, so yeah, definitely.

I sigh inwardly, burying my face in my hands. What am I doing?

I can’t let myself get distracted by Riley, no matter how charming or attractive or funny he might be. I have to stay focused on the competition, on proving to the judges and everyone else that I deserve to be here. But even as I try to push thoughts of him aside, I can’t help but feel a flutter in my stomach when I stare at my phone. He makes everything somuch easier. Just seconds ago I was a nervous mess, and now? I’m smiling like an idiot.

Liora: Goodnight, can’t wait to see you score.

Twenty-three

RILEY

I’ve been on the edge since I woke up this morning, wondering if Liora really is mad at me after what happened in the living room. The memory flashes through my mind as I run on the treadmill—her soft skin under my fingertips, the quiet gasps escaping her lips, the way her body arched into my touch. It’s seared into my brain, replaying on a loop.

Next to me, Jayce spots Colton as he grunts through another bench press rep. “Ri, you going to the gala in the Hamptons after play-offs?” Jayce asks.

“Ugh, not sure, man,” I say, legs pumping steadily on the treadmill. “Kind of just want to lay low and recharge during the short break. Although my sister’s been bugging me to go…and I kinda said yes.”

“Oh yeah, Rosie’s graduating Julliard this year, right? Damn, they grow up so fast. She still loves dancing?”

“Yep, she’s got her big senior performance in July. Ballet prodigy, that one.” Pride swells in my chest thinking about her. She’s been struggling, too, but I hope she’s got it under control. But, well, I’m one to talk.

I slow down and pull out my phone, a new idea forming. What if Liora didn’t just want to be my date for the night? Maybe she’d be up for coming to my parents’ with me. God knows I can’t go alone—my father drives me up the wall. But a weekend in the Hamptons with her? That actually sounds pretty tempting.

Riley: Hey, good morning…Wondering if you’d want to go to this bougie Hamptons gala thing with me in a few weeks and stay at my parents? No worries if not, just thought it could be fun…

I hit Send before I can second-guess myself. Within seconds, bubbles appear. My heart hammers in my chest.

Bladezilla: Hmm, I’ll have to check my very busy schedule. But I suppose I could make an appearance as arm candy for NY’s star center…

Relief floods me, a dopey grin spreading across my face. I’m typing out a flirty response when Jayce’s voice cuts through my trance.

“Damn, you’re smiling, Huntington. What are you doing?”

“Ah, nothing, just texting Liora about the gala,” I mumble, feeling my cheeks heat up.

“Mm-hmm, sure. You two were looking pretty cozy at the party. When’s the wedding?” he teases.

“Ha, funny.”

King pushes through one more rep, and Jayce carefully guides the bar back to the rack. King sits up, his face flushed, giving me his signature frown. “You two looked grossly in love.”

I roll my eyes. “We didn’t.”

Jayce and Colton exchange a glance and then, as if rehearsed, they both say, “You did.”

I run faster, trying to escape thoughts of that little blonde, but it’s impossible.

“Did you see her last interview? They grilled her about her Olympic disaster,” Jayce says carefully. “Do you know why she exited?”

I keep running. “No. I didn’t ask. I don’t want to force her to tell me something she isn’t ready to share.”

“She kinda told it on camera though,” Jayce says, and I stop the treadmill, hopping down.

“What?”

Jayce shrugs. “Well, it was just a thing about time. Everyone wants to know why she left and hid for years.”

---