Page 18 of Ice Bet

Before running into what appeared like a brick wall, I paused my fast walking and glanced up to a guy with golden hair and a chiseled jawline. His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “I can’t let you pass without you telling me your name.”

I didn’t recognize him. He was too clean-cut to be a hockey player, and none of them would be caught dead in a BU football shirt, so I assumed he was a football player. “Riley,” my name barreled out of my mouth.Now move.

I eyed the stairs behind him and saw Aasher casually coming down with the same girl I saw at his apartment the other day. I hurriedly snapped back to attention and stared at the football player, hoping his large frame would hide me. I wasn’t afraid of Aasher by any means, but who knew what insult would fly out of his mouth when he saw me.Maybe I should ask him if he approved of my choice of clothing.

“Are you a freshman?”

“What? No.” The football player was towering over me. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m headed for the restroom.”

Shit, then I have to walk past Aasher.

“Here, follow me.” His hand fell to my wrist, and he began tugging me toward the stairs. “There’s a long line. You can use the bathroom in my room.”

And this was the part where the audience yelled at the naive girl as she followed the hot jock to his bedroom.

“Whoa, man. Where are you taking her?” Sully stepped in between us, and the football player freed my wrist.Thank God.I really didn’t want to make a scene by stomping on this guy’s foot.

“To the bathroom?” His answer was more of a question, and he quickly followed it with an apology. “My bad. Didn’t know she was taken for the night.”

I waited until we were alone again before giving Sully my bestwhat-the-fucklook. “Trying to test the waters even though my dad threatened the entire hockey team and warned you all that I’m off-limits?”

Sully leaned against the banister and looked out into the party. “That depends. Am I going to sink or swim?”

I was surprised at his cool and collected answer. Graham Sullivan was totally relaxed. He turned toward me and raised an eyebrow, waiting for my answer.He is serious.I was beginning to wonder if the few sips of alcohol I’d had was clouding my judgment. Before I could regain my composure, a heavy presence filled the tiny air bubble that we shared. I didn’t have to peek over my shoulder to see who it was because I knew right away.

“Lexy is asking for you.” Aasher’s smooth voice brushed over my skin as he came around and leaned against the banister, blocking my view from Sully.

“I’m not interested.”

“You were interested last night.”

I stepped away from them and tried to sneak off, but when I glanced up to the top landing, I saw the football player watching me.Great.When I brought my gaze back down, Aasher was staring at me. He blinked once before turning back to Sully. “You were interested this morning, too.”

Sully grumbled under his breath, but Aasher kept going.

“Andafter the game.” He blew air out of his mouth. “Wow. Three times in twenty-four hours? She must be a special one.”

Aasher spun around and blockedmefrom Sully instead of the other way around. It was obvious that he was trying to playheroagain, but I played along. “Did you go to the game, Riley? I don’t remember seeing you in the stands.” He edged his chin and grinned at his teammate. “Better run. There’s Lexy. She’s coming over here.”

Sully cursed under his breath before jogging up the stairs to hide.

“I saw your mom at the game but not you. Not a hockey fan?”

I took Sully’s spot on the banister. “You saw my mom? Are you part of the family? Or just wanting to know my whereabouts so you can report back to my dad?”

Aasher snickered as he threw a fist up to someone walking past. They told him good game, and I silently agreed. Aasher didn’t see me in the stands because I was in the box seat with Coach Lambert’s family. I sort of acted as a nanny to the assistant coach’s three daughters, but in between coloring and playingSimon Says, I caught snippets of black-and-silver jerseys rushing the ice and flinging the hockey puck at Westin’s goalie. Theo Brooks was the driving force behind the win, but Aasher and a few other players definitely lessened the margin of being defeated. Number twelve, who just so happened to be Aasher, caught my eye numerous times as he rushed through the defense.

I hated to admit it, but he wasreallygood.

Aasher adjusted his hat, probably covering his messy hair from the girl he was just with. “What are you doing here?” he asked,clearlyannoyed.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I pulled my cup to my mouth and slowly licked the top rim of it before tipping it backward. I had no idea what possessed me to do it other than to piss him off even more.

Aasher’s eyes grew large, flaring with heat. His hand went around the rim of my cup, pulling it into his face. I huffed as he took a sip of it, and when his fingers flexed against mine, I pulled the drink away from his mouth.

“What the hell are you doing?” I asked.

I dropped my attention and watched as his tongue darted out to lick his bottom lip.Ugh.

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