Page 17 of Neo

“Hockey,” I say, offering my usual answer when the truth is I don’t do second dates. First dates are fun. Second ones are irksome.

A few other guests of the house rush over, wanting to talk to me about the game or have some sort of other random conversation, and it gets the attention of Shane and the girls.

“Oh, the Cap is here!” Shane shouts as I make my approach and more heads turn.

Every guy on the team gets their share of attention from students on a regular basis, but they especially love to rub my nose in it because they know it’s not something I particularly care for. I don’t play the game to be the big man on campus, it just happens to be a side effect of being the captain of the most popular team at VCU.

“I see you made it,” I ignore Shane’s smart ass greeting and speak directly to Violet, who again is dressed differently than every other thirsty girl in the house tonight. Her conservative black crew neck tee and dark washed jeans are deceptively sexy as the outfit hugs all of her curves but nothing about it screams,look at me. I wonder if she has any idea just how attractive she looks in it.

“Um, yes.”

She has that same look on her face. The one she had at the rink when it appeared as if she rather be anywhere else but there. It makes me wonder if Kennedy had to bribe her to come tonight.

“But you rather be reading?” I ask, half joking.

Her eyes blink a few times before she answers me.

“Is that going to be your go to line for the rest of the semester?”

My go to line?

I hold back a laugh.

“Sounds like you plan on reading at all my games this season,” I reply, offering a small, teasing grin. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. She’s getting more interesting by the minute.

“I brought homework to a hockey game. So what? I’m sure I’m not the first person to do it. I bet half of the people in there were on their cell phones ordering last minute Christmas gifts and not paying you all any attention.”

I take a step closer to her. Close enough that I can see she’s wearing clear gloss on her lips as well as a thin layer of eyeshadow with flecks of gold glitter that illuminatethe bronze skin of her eyelids. It’s not a lot of makeup, but just enough to accentuate what she already has.

“They’re always paying attention,” I tell her with a confidence that isn’t meant to sound cocky. It’s just facts.

“I hope this hockey thing works out for you,” she says in a patronizing tone that no one else on this planet would ever use with me and my dick gets hard.

“It already has,” I tell her and when she laughs in response, I don’t.

I can’t.

I’m too busy appreciating how spectacularly she glows in the soft light of the house.

Kennedy interrupts us just as it was getting good. “I told you that Violet isn’t here to make new friends, Neo. Just point us to the real drinks and not this watery beer crap and we’ll be on our way.”

“I’ll walk you to the drinks.” And I have no idea why my voice drops three octaves and my chest puffs up when I’m around this girl, but it does. Suddenly, I don’t want her walking through the house without an escort. I know these guys in here. She’s new, she’s gorgeous, and she’s available. That’s the only green light these fuckers need.

“Fine,” Kennedy huffs.

“Where are you going?” Shane asks, turning away from another conversation he was having as he watches us walk away.

“I’ve got ‘em,” I tell him, understanding the meaning behind the question. If he can’t have Kennedy, he damn sure doesn’t want anyone else in this room to have her, either.

My back stiffens as I walk through the room with the girls on either side of me, because while I know some of the stares are to acknowledge my presence, the others are directed at Kennedy and Violet…especially Violet.

Two of the team’s favorite puck bunnies, Gia and Rain, super fans of the team who happen to fuck some of us too, are manning the mixed drink bar. We have the usual bottles of gin, vodka and tequila and mixers available, but they’re also in charge of serving a holiday themed drink that’s made with peppermint schnapps.

“Do you two want the candy cane?” I ask them.

“I’ll take anything at this point,” Kennedy fusses.

Violet is still staring around the room, and I’m not sure what she’s thinking. My assumption, or maybe my hope, is that she admires the house because it’s not common for a university team or club to have the kind of house we do.

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