Page 97 of Ice Bet

Coach thought it over and glared at his daughter, seemingly forgetting why he was at our apartment. “Is that why you were wearing a Rosewood jersey? Because of a silly bet between you and my players? Or were you trying to get that asshat’s attention?”

He had no idea the irony in that statement.A bet.My heart beat harder and harder.

“I wasn’t trying to get Gray’s attention.”

Oh, she absolutely was, but she got mine instead.

“And you?” Coach’s tone changedrealfast when he directed his question to me. “Were you provoking him on the ice so he’d come after you later?”

“I provoked him beca—”

Ford stepped forward, interrupting me. “We.”

I sighed. “Weprovoked him on the ice because he did your daughter dirty.”For once, I didn’t have to lie to his face.

Not to mention, he was totally on board with it during the game.

Riley slammed down the skillet a little too forcefully. “I didn’t ask you guys to do that. I had it handled.”

Coach ignored her and kept his unwavering glare on me. “And who handled it last night at Chi Alpha Sigma?” He stepped forward, and he eyed me closely. “I told you not to go. I told you—”

“You told him to keep me from going,” Riley said under her breath, knowing we all heard her.

Coach opened his mouth to rebut her assumption. “Riley.”

“Don’t,” she said, putting her hand up.

Silence filled our apartment, except for the sound of oil in the pan. Coach placed his hands on his hips while he watched his daughter move around comfortably in our kitchen, making herself right at home.

“I can’t believe you’re making them breakfast.”

If I was reading him correctly, he was a little jealous.

“You haven’t made me breakfast since you were seven.”

She grinned while pouring pancake batter into the pan. I was completely captivated by her movements, and I hoped that her dad didn’t notice the way my eyes followed her.

“Well, I’m not doing this willingly.”

“I hope you aren't poisoning us.” Ford took a seat beside me at the bar.

“Where were you guys last night?” Coach asked, ping-ponging his attention between me, Ford, and Berkley.

“I was at the party for a little while, but I…left.” Berkley looked away.

“You left?” Coach asked. “And came home?”

“Not at first.”

“Where did you—” He shook his head before briefly looking at Riley. “Never mind. Ford?”

Ford’s smug smirk told me all I needed to know. “I went with Emory, but I didn’t stay long.”

“Let me guess, you also went somewhere other than here? I hope you two have someone to back that statement up.”

He smiled while wiggling his eyebrows. “Oh, we definitely do.”

“Not in front of my daughter!” Coach scolded Ford.

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