Page 142 of Never You

“Nothing!” Kayla yelps with a look on her face that screams deceit. I’m sure that if we wait five minutes, her nose will be as big as Pinocchio’s, and she can become his girlfriend.

“We are just here to watch a game.For charity. So, sit your ass down and watch the game.”

“You’re full of shit.”

“Maybe. But you won’t know until you find out and watch the game.”

I knew it!

“Rae.” Charlotte’s soft voice breaks the tension rising between Kayla and me. I look at her friendly face, her cheeks rosy from the cold air around us. “Hunter is making a guest appearance. I thought you could use a distraction. It will be okay. I promise. Come sit.” She softly tugs my wrist, and I hesitantly sit down.

A chill shivers down my spine, and I’m pretty sure it’s not because of the cold. Though I love how thoughtful Charlotte seems to be, even though we’ve met once.

“Come! Meet my friends. This is Julie and this is Jason.” A gorgeous dirty blonde peeks her head from next to Charlotte. Her hair is cut to a length that brushes over the edge of her shoulders, her friendly whiskey eyes popping against her teal sweater. The guy throws me a wave, a conspiring look in his blue eyes that narrow mine a little.

“Nice to meet you, Rae.” His sharp jaw lifts in a genuine grin, though I’m a little captivated by the playfulness in his gaze, that makes me believe he knows more about me than just my name.

But before I can ask, Julie catches my attention again.

“Hi, Rae!” She offers her hand, her full pink lips moving up and I take it with a smile in return.”So nice to meet you.”

“You too, are you into hockey?”

“Not at all. But you don’t say no to a pregnant lady.” She pulls a face, then shoots me a wink. “I’m more into sports that don’t freeze my ass while watching it.”

“Right!” Kayla chirps. “I’m going to get some beers.” She eyes Charlotte’s baby bump. “No beer for you, I’m assuming?”

“Kayla!” I seethe, as I hear the other laugh beside me.

“What?” She raises her hands in the air.

Blunt as fuck, she is. A little rude too.

“Water is fine.” Charlotte chuckles.

Kayla gets up, and I roll my eyes as she walks away.

“How the hell are you gonna get beers anyway?” I bellow behind her. “You’re underaged!”

Her warm smile flips over her shoulder as she throws me a wink.

“I’ll find a way.”

“I’m not gonna bail you out of jail.” My eyebrows pinch together.

“You’re underestimating my acting talent.” She says as she skips away.

Fuck, that girl is trouble.

A warm hand lands on my wrist, and I twist my head, looking into Charlotte’s mossy green eyes.

“Relax.” There is something comforting in her voice that makes me settle a little, but I can’t shake the feeling of suspiciousness in my gut.

I pull the sleeves of my sweater down my arms, hiding my hands in the fabric while I lean back in the seat. I watch the ice like a hawk, expecting someone to catch me off guard like a jack-in-the-box.

The smell of hotdogs has my stomach roaring, and suddenly, I realize how little I’ve eaten in the last week. I’ve been living on tea and biscuits, with the occasional piece of fried chicken, much to the dismay of Nana and June, but I just couldn’t get anything down my throat.

Breathing the fresh air is comforting for my soul for some reason, because all of a sudden, my senses are coming back to life.

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