Page 44 of Twisted Collide

Even if I want to.

17

DANE

Another day,another headache, and to top it all off, I’m distracted. It’s all her fault. Avoiding her is nearly impossible.

She’s everywhere.

At practice.

At the bar.

In my head.

The worst part is she’s temptation on a stick. She strides around this place wearing the thinnest T-shirts I’ve ever seen. How Coach doesn’t scold her is beyond me.

Her fucking nipples are always visible.

I’m not the only one who notices either. Everyone does, everyone other than her damn father, who clearly has his head in the damn sand.

Also, what’s with the skirts? Who wears a skirt to an ice rink . . . ?Hellfire, that’s who.

Last night, when I went to the bar to meet up with the guys, and she showed up, I thought I was going to lose my mind.

After our little barb session, I ended up sitting in the corner alone and drinking my sorrows as she laughed and had the time of her life.

The shrill sound of Coach blowing his whistle echoes like a freight train, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Head in the game!” he shouts, and I know he’s yelling at me. I skate harder, muscles burning as I chase the puck.

Need to focus.

Stay in the play.

Don’t think about her.

My lungs burn as I take my aggression out on the ice. I feel like a caged animal, ready to break free.

I grit my teeth and charge.

Aiden skates by as my stick connects with the puck, cutting me off.

“Fuck!” I bellow.

“Hit the showers!” Coach hollers, signaling that practice is finally done.

He’s pissed, and rightfully so. I’m pissed.

I move to skate off the ice when I see Josephine. Lord knows what grunt work she’s doing now, but her presence alone pisses me off further.

I pull my gaze away and continue toward the exit.

A few minutes later, I’m back in the locker room, and I yank off my helmet and throw it into my locker with a loud clatter.

“You good, man?” Aiden sidles up beside me.

“Yeah.”

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