Page 24 of Ice Bet

My palm wrapped around the entire width of her bicep. The dark, shiny strands of her hair brushed over my skin like a feather. “Stay away from the team, Duster. They’re planning to eat you alive.” I tried to clean up their mess. “Don’t tell your dad and ruin our chances at the Frozen Four because your feelings are hurt. Take it as a compliment. They think you’re the whole package.”

Take it as a compliment. Jesus.

The shovel was heavy as I continued to dig myself into a deeper hole.

Her clipped laugh distracted me enough for her to rip her arm out of my grasp. “They think I’m a toy they can play with once and then discard a moment later. That’s not a compliment. That’s an insult.”

It was an insult. She wasn’t the type of girl you fucked around with to win some stupid bet.

I stood back and watched Riley move across the parking lot like she was walking on water, and suddenly, I was feeling extremely thirsty.

10

RILEY

“Areyou ready for the game tomorrow night?” My dad’s beer spilled onto the coaster as an older waitress placed it down on to the table.

“We’re as ready as we can be,” he said, glancing backward at the noisy booth in the corner of The Bex. It was the most popular restaurant at Bexley U, given the fact that it wasalwayspacked. This was a tradition. My parents started eating here the night before certain games for good luck, and sometimes, I tagged along.My father was extremely superstitious. I was pretty sure it was a requirement for all hockey players and their coaches. Gray was the same way. I couldn’t even talk to him the night before a game because he liked to meditate.

Looking back, I wondered what kind of meditationhe was actually doing.

I was surprised that Aasher followed me to the rink last week, because it was the night before a game. Maybe he was the exception—unless his pregame ritual was following college girls around only to offend them.

“Sutton.” My mom took a sip of her Coke. “What is your major?”

I glanced over at my roommate, envious of how at ease she was in every situation. It didn’t matter where we were or who we were with; she always seemed cool and collected.

I’ve gotten to know Sutton so much better since she moved in a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t understand why her ex would ever let her go. She was kind, thoughtful, gorgeous, smart, and she knew how to have fun–even if we were just hanging out in the apartment, watching Netflix. She was much more outgoing than I was, and she was definitely more comfortable with the hockey team and parties on jock row, but she never made me feel bad for turning down an invite to go to the apartment across the hall. I’d rather poke my own eyeballs out than sit there and watch Aasher judge me.

“It’s marketing, right?” I glanced at my dad after taking a bite of my burger.

“Um, yeah.” Sutton laughed softly. “How did you know that?”

I was wondering the same thing.

“Crew mentioned it once or twice. How is my star player doing?”

Sutton’s face fell.

“Dad.” I silently tried to tell him to shut up, but he was completely oblivious.

I glanced at my mom who was eyeing Sutton. She turned to my dad and patted his hand. “Honey, they’re not together anymore.”

“What? Oh…” He cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

Sutton put on a good front, smiling and brushing off his mistake. I placed my hand on hers under the table and gave it a little squeeze, wanting to fix the situation because there was nothing worse than being in the spotlight when it was over something that made you uneasy.

“Your hockey players are acting like a bunch of children over there.” I edged my head to the loud booth in the back that housed all four of my neighbors, plus some, and shifted the attention from Sutton. There were a few football players hanging around too, with an oversupply of puck bunnies and jersey chasers. I knew enough about jocks to know that they each had a certain nickname for girls who’d drop to their knees at a moment's notice for them.

My dad waved over his head, and before I knew it, Aasher and Theo were on their way to our table. His two superstars. I scowled at Aasher when my parents were distracted, already irritated with him.

I’d successfully evaded Aasher the several times he’d followed me or tried to ask anything that wasn’t of his concern. Not only had he insulted me on numerous occasions, but I knew he’d bring up the bet. I was still reprimanding myself for telling him that I knew. It was all his fault. I grew unsteady around him. I fumbled over my thoughts whenever he smirked at me, let alonetouchedme. It was like climbing a never-ending rope. I kept trying to get the upper hand, but he beat me every single time.

“Hey, handsome boys!” My mom greeted Theo and Aasher like they were her sons.

I snickered, and Sutton quietly laughed under her breath.At least someone appreciates my annoyance.Aasher’s mouth twitched, and it gave me more satisfaction than it should have.

“Are you two ready for tomorrow’s game?” she asked.

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