Page 29 of The Game

“We might need to occasionally. In public, at least. If people are going to buy the whole dating thing, they’ll probably expect at least the occasional peck. If you’re okay with that. I wouldn’t do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

He makes an excellent point. “But won’t it confuse things?”

“I think we can handle it, right? Neither of us is looking for anything real right now, correct?”

I nod. His words are logical. “True.”

“Then I think we can handle it, but maybe we should practice. Just once. To make sure we’re going to be ok with it before we do anything in front of anyone else. Less pressure.”

His beautiful dark eyes are pulling me under. Hypnotizing me with their depths. “Sure.”

His lips curve again in that twisty smile that looks happy and a little angsty at the same time. “Really? You don’t sound convinced.”

Oh, he has no idea how convinced I am that I want to taste his lips, maybe slide that full lower one between my teeth and give it a little nibble. But that would be a terrible idea. “I’m sure.”

I’m already leaning in, eyes fixed on his mouth when the phone rings with a call, shattering the spell of the moment, pieces drifting off on the wind.

He groans, grabbing the phone. “Hello, Walk Safe.” The husky tone of his voice does nothing to cool the heat of my skin, but that’s not what we’re here for.

He slides the phone back into the case on his belt. “McKenna building. Let’s go.”

His gloved hand closes on mine in a comforting squeeze before he starts up at a brisk pace toward the science building we’ve been called to.

“We’ll take this up later,” he says.

But we don’t. It turns out to be a busy night, full of calls to meet other students, and neither of us brings it up again on the ride back to my apartment. It feels like we missed the moment and I wonder if we’ll ever catch back up to it, or if I even want to, because that’s not what we’re about. That’s not what this relationship is about. It’s a fraud. An illusion. In a different, more honest way than my last relationship was, but still not real. And that’s the way I need it to stay.

Chapter 12

Along For The Ride

Cole

The arena is packedfor our home opener. Hockey has always been a popular sport at Lakeview. But after winning the championship last year, the general student body has latched on to ride along on the success of the team. No pressure or anything.

Unfortunately, we haven’t closed the gap that was left behind when we lost our entire first line of forwards to graduation. It’s what you’d call a building year, and that doesn’t work for me. Being less than the best is unacceptable. I’ve got my family to think of and my reputation to repair. I kept a pretty low profile last year after transferring here, but now with Charlene suddenly appearing back in my life, I’m worried. All I want is to put the past behind me and play my best.

I’m sitting in the corner of the locker room, gear on, eyes closed, head resting on the wall, trying to clear my head before the game when someone sits next to me.

“How’s it going? You ready?” Beau asks in the smooth but commanding tone he uses when he’s got his captain’s helmet on.

I let out a long sigh. “I’m good.”

“Listen. I wasn’t sure if I should mention it before the game, but I thought it would be better than getting blindsided and losing focus while you’re out on the ice. I scoped the arena and that girl of yours is sitting up front. Is that going to be a problem?”

My mind jumps to Jazz’s smiling eyes and smooth dark hair when he refers to my girl, but that’s not right. My guts churn when I realize he’s referring to the other one.

“Not my girl. Not a problem.” I hope the words are true, but the churning anger burning me from the inside points to the lie.

“Good. Look, man. I know you’ve got a lot going on, but the team needs you. You’re the top goal scorer on the line this year. The other guys are going to be looking to you. You’re going to set the tone for them, and part of that is really being a part of the team. Showing up and participating. I know after what you went through, it’s hard for you to trust the other guys, but I need you to get there. Trust off the ice builds trust on the ice.”

“Got it.” Now that he knows what went down with my last team, it feels like he’s in my head, and I’m not a fan. Trust issomething you have to build, and I’m not there yet. The trouble is I don’t know that I can get there. Not soon enough.

“You sure you’re good?” His eyes skate over mine, searching.

“I’ve got this.”

He pushes up from the bench, heading over to join Coach for a little pregame pep talk.

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