Page 20 of Face Me Off

My hands tighten on the straps of my backpack. Alright, universe. You want to play hardball? Game on. I’ve got goals to crush, both on and off the ice.

“Hey, what if—” My words die when I turn and take in the empty seat beside me. “Shit! Shit, shit, shit.”

I scan the room as my hands fumble with the zipper, but I can’t find Maddy anywhere. How’d she move so fast?

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I nearly knock over my chair in my haste to leave. My sneakers squeak against the polished floor as I burst into the hallway. The corridor’s packed with students. I weave through the crowd, muttering “Excuseme” and “Sorry” as I dodge backpacks and elbows. Getting to her is vital. I need to ace this following quiz.

“Come on, come on,” I mutter, searching for that telltale flash of auburn curls. Where is she?

Moving forward, I dodge a group of freshmen and nearly collide with a trash can.

“Slow down, dude,” a voice calls out.

“Not on your life.” I press forward and sigh as I spot her near the exit. “Maddy!”

She turns, and her green eyes widen as I skid to a stop before her. I’m breathing hard, probably looking like I just came off a double shift on the ice. But I don’t care. I’ve got her attention now, and I’m not wasting it.

“Ryan?” she says, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “What are you doing?”

“I need you to reconsider studying with me.”Way to put it on blast, idiot.

“You ran down the hallway just to rehash this again?”

“I’m serious. I bombed that quiz and really need your help.”

“I’m not sure if you got the notice, but we’re not friends.”

I try to slow my racing heart with a deep breath, but I’m keyed up. There has to be a way to convince her.

“I’ve got a proposition for you,” I say, flashing her my best smile. “How about we study together?”

Her eyebrows shoot up. She opens her mouth, but I press on before she can shoot me down.

“I’m sure there’s something I can do for you in return.”

She tilts her head, giving me her best deadpanned expression. “I can’t think of anything I would need from you besides you leaving me alone.”

“Come on, Grimes,” I say, leaning in slightly. Her strawberry scent wafts over me, and I inhale too strongly. But I can’t help it. She smells so delicious all the damn time.

My gaze drops to those slightly thin lips as she bites the lower one. God, she’s cute when she does that.

Focus, Sorenson.

This is about studying. Nothing else. Right?

The splatter of freckles across Maddy’s nose scrunch up as she furrows her brow. There’s no stopping the grin crossing my face. That girl is skeptical, but I can work with that. I’ve faced tougher opponents on the ice.

“I don’t know what you’re up to, Sorenson.” She shifts and crosses her arms. “Why are you insisting we study together?”

“Look, I’m going to be straight up with you. I bombed that last quiz, and I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I need to pass the next quiz to stay eligible to play hockey. I really need the help.”

Maddy’s eyes narrow, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “And what makes you think I need your help?”

“Oh, come on,” I say, leaning against the wall with an easy confidence. “Everyone’s got room for improvement. Plus, two brains are better than one. It’s like having a solid defensive line—we’ve got each other’s backs.”

Maddy’s a genuine people pleasure. It’s not a surprise to see her resolve waver. I press my advantage. “Look, Grimes, I’m not asking for a lifelong commitment here. Just a few study sessions. If it doesn’t work out, no harm, no foul. But if it does…” I trail off, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

Maddy’s eyes lifted to the heavens, but not before I saw a blush creeping up her neck. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

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