Page 25 of Ice Bet

Theo nodded. “Just about. Getting ready to head back to my room to start my pregame routine.”

See, superstitious.

“And what about you?” I looked up at Aasher, unable to keep myself from poking him. “Do you have any pregame routines?” A sarcastic laugh left me. “I mean other than throwing poker parties the night before a game and keeping us up with the noise?”

My dad and Theo both whipped their heads to look at Aasher.

“Poker parties?” My dad was gone, and in his place was Coach Lennon.

I was amused. It wasn’t my plan to provoke Aasher, but I was glad I did. He deserved it.

Sutton sucked her cheeks in, and I batted my eyelashes innocently at him. He played off his frustration well with a little smirk, but I could tell he was irked.

He put his hands in his pockets, seeming calm. “It's just a pregame thing with a few of the guys. I don’t make the rules. I just win the games.”

“Weallwin the games,” Theo corrected.

The red blotches on my dad’s neck told me he was irritated to find out that there were poker games going on the night before a game, but I didn’t feel bad about throwing Aasher under the bus. Getting a reaction from him was refreshing, even if I knew I’d only have the upper hand for a second.

“It could always be worse, I guess,” my dad finally said after seeming to think it over.

“It’s better than what I used to do,” Aasher replied.

Theo repeated him. “What youusedto do?”

Aasher’s crooked smile had me at the edge of my seat. I sensed the danger before he looked over at me. Our eyes snagged, and there was an immediate shift in the air. A silent threat. Or warning. I wasn’t sure which.

“I used to sneak out of the dorms when I thought no one was awake, and I’d go to the rink after hours.”

My cheeks blazed, and I gripped my glass of water tightly.

He was still following me.

I thought I was so slick, leaving the apartment well after I thought everyone was asleep. He followed me once. I should have known he’d do it again.

Instead of being embarrassed, I waspissed.

Did he really think he’d catch me in there with one of his teammates? Even after I confessed that I knew about the bet?

“To do what?” Theo asked.

I listened carefully, wondering if he was bluffing or not.

“I’d just stand there and stare at the ice through the glass.”

My hand slipped against the condensation on my cup. Sutton grabbed it before it fell and soaked the table, because I made no attempt.

Aasher was standing near the foot of our table like a smug asshole, and I swore time had stopped. I blocked out the conversation and stared at him.

He wasn’t fazed at all, but he knew he had hit the mark with me.

I was thankful when Ford walked over to the table and all the attention shifted to him, because I was sweating.

“My mama is comin’ up to watch the game, Mrs. Lennon.”

My mom bristled. “What did I say about calling me Mrs. Lennon?”

Ford grinned. “Sorry, sorry. My mom taught me manners, though. Never go through a woman’s purse, and always call her Mrs.”

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