Page 17 of The Friend Zone

Jagger’s jaw is rigid with tension, his brow set into a menacing scowl, fists clenched at his sides. “Don’t.” He bites out, going straight to his locker.

I abandon my attempt to skate around what I just saw and aim right to the goal. “If you’re going to ignore Topher’s demands, what were those puck bunnies doing in here? I’m sure Bay isn’t happy about?—”

He turns around so fast that I’m surprised he doesn’t get whiplash. “I’m not ignoring Topher’s demands.” He barks.

I blink, confused. “You aren’t? But if you got your good luck blowie from those girls, what was Bay doing here?”

He slams his locker so hard that the whole row shakes dangerously. “Beats me.”

In theory, this is none of my business and I should stay out of whatever is going on between Jagger and Bay. Their friend with benefits situation shouldn’t concern me.

It’s not like there’s anything more than some hot banter and a crazy physical attraction between me and Bay. I don’t even know where I stand with her after my “apology” last week.

Just the thought of her sweet taste, of the way she sounded when I went down on her makes me rock hard. But I ignore the stirring in my pants because Bay’s posture and tone were very tense a moment ago.

One look at Jagger was all the confirmation I needed that something is going on.

“I thought you and Bay had some kind of deal?” I prod him.

“That was before last week’s meeting. If Topher released my initiation video, I won’t be able to ever look my parents in the eye again. So I can’t keep seeing Bay.”

That would explain Bianca and Candace’s presence in the locker room.

“But if you told her you can’t keep seeing her, what was she doing here?”

If that was anyone else, it wouldn’t have surprised me. That’s why I don’t do relationships. I just can’t handle the drama, especially after getting caught in someone else’s drama almost cost me my hockey career before it even started. Bay however doesn’t strike me as the kind of crazy chick who would stir trouble for no good reason.

Jagger looks away, his expression sheepish. “I don’t know. Maybe she didn’t see my text. She was in class all afternoon.”

My fingers freeze on the laces of my skates. “You told her you couldn’t keep seeing her by text?”

My tone is hard, but Jagger’s reaction is more heated than I expected.

“Not you too!” He snaps. “Cole already told me I’m an asshole, the message has been received.”

Right. “Dude, I’ve known you since we were in high school. You’ve never been a sappy type, but I thought you and Bay were friends. A text message is cold even for you.”

He grabs his stick and for a second, I think he’s going to hit me with it. “I’m just trying to do what I have to do for the sake ofthe team,” he bites out, walking to the door. “I just wish people appreciated it, rather than trying to get all up in my business.”

He leaves, slamming the locker room door the same way he did earlier with his locker.

I’m not going to win an award for being Mr. Sensitive any time soon, but even I can figure out that getting a blowjob from two of Bay’s sisters after ending his deal with her by text will cause some hurt feelings.

Technically Jagger didn’t break up with her because they weren’t together, but after he marched me into Bay’s room to apologize for the pool incident last week, I expected more from one of my oldest friends.

As I walk to the ice rink with my helmet and my stick in hand, my thoughts should be focused on the game.

Instead all I can think about is that I hope that Bay is ok.

Judging by her tone and posture, I suspect she might be upset. As I start skating around the rink, I make up my mind that I’m going to check on her after the game.

COLE

Our opponents wipe the ice with us.

I haven’t seen such carnage since I started playing hockey more than a decade ago.

We’re out of synch, always a few seconds late on the action, no matter how many changes of line Coach implements.

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