Page 24 of Pucking High School

“What?” She opened her eyes, and tilted her head so she could look me in the eyes. “I guess it’s not really something that someone would bother to mention because it makes sense. You’re a goalie, so I guess you need big hands for that too, right? To catch the puck?”

“We wear gloves. I’m not out there catching the puck bare handed.”

She snorted, and when I looked down at her, she quickly looked away.

“Sorry. Just something about the way you say bare handed. I don’t know? It’s just funny.”

She was babbling and although I needed to keep up the façade of hating it, I loved it. Her thought process was cute, and there was something endearing about how open she was with me.

“You’re also a big guy. How tall are you now? Seven foot?”

“I’m six foot six.”

“Close enough,” she mumbled before looking around. We were close to the steps now, and I was preparing myself for letting her go. Not just dropping her off at the steps, but leaving her behind. College was a few weeks away and I wasn’t going tobe able to see her anymore. It was a reality that I just started to accept.

“You’re view is so different from up here. Is it weird to see so many scalps in the day?” I didn’t answer because she didn’t give me time. Gasping, she glared at me with the utmost seriousness. “Dash. You’d tell me if I had dandruff, right?”

My brows crossed, but she was looking at me so fiercely, I felt the need to respond with a shake of my head.

She breathed out. “Thank goodness. I don’t think I’d be able to live that down, otherwise.”

“Are you drunk?”

“No.”

“Why are you babbling?” I asked, just as I let her feet drop onto the porch. Her arm stayed wrapped around my neck and when I glanced at her, I couldn’t help but stop. We were so close physically right now, and I didn’t want it to stop.

Her eyes were wide when she said, “I don’t know. I guess I just talk a lot when I’m nervous.”

“What’s making you so nervous?” I almost whispered as I stood beside her, my face still close to hers. If I wanted to, I was close enough to kiss her.

Damn, did I want to. She was right there. Her mouth was parted and her big bottom lip was just asking for it.

But I couldn’t.

I wouldn’t.

“I, uh, don’t know. Maybe it has something to so with being carried home by one of the most gorgeous guys I’ve ever met.”

Did she just say that, or was I delusional?

Swallowing, I stood straight. Away from her lips and any temptation I had.

“You’re home now,” I said and cleared my throat. “I’ll text your brother to let him know.”

“That’s it?” She said, looking hurt.

I averted my gaze to the floor because I couldn’t look at her anymore. Too sweet. Too perfect. Never meant to be mine.

“I’ll see you around.” Even though I was still staring at the floor, I could feel her heated gaze on me, but I chose to ignore it.

A couple of seconds went by before she tutted. “I didn’t realize you were such a coward, Dash.”

With that, she turned on her heel and opened her door.

I stood there, feeling like a chump, slightly confused because I wasn’t sure if she’s just confessed her interest in me too, or if I completely misread the situation.

All I knew now was that I was standing outside my best friend's house, staring at the door because I missed his sister.

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