Page 15 of Ice Cold Rival

“I’m in. As long as I don’t have a game.”

She shook her head. “They know Toby’s schedule and planned around your games already.”

I raised a brow. “Toby?”

A pink tinge warmed her cheeks, and I had the sudden urge to ease her back against the pillows to see if she’d be as responsive a second time. Okay, it wasn’t sudden. I’d been reliving the night with her since the moment she walked out the door.

“We grew up together. No one in my family calls him Tobias.”

I snickered. “CanIcall him Toby?”

Kenzie glared at me. “No.”

“Still defending him?”

Her jaw clenched. “No… yes. Ugh, why is this so hard? I should tell you all his deepest secrets and let the team roast him mercilessly.”

“But you won’t,” I pointed out. “Don’t worry. He’s already made enemies simply being himself—we don’t need your secrets to make his life hell. I have to ask though. Do you always do the right thing?”

“Why would you purposefully do the wrong thing?”

“Because it’s fun. Because right and wrong are usually gray areas. Because it’ll make your ex-boyfriend cry.”

“I’m not sure I want him to cry. Maybe a little, but I don’t want to feel guilty.”

“See, this is why you need me. I can help you navigate the gray areas.”

She frowned. “I thought we were doing this for other people.”

“I’m adding to the deal. We’re going to do all the things you’ve always wanted to but stopped yourself from wanting because it wasn’t part of the grand plan.”

“Like what?”

“Like a random hookup with a hot stranger,” I teased.

The pink in her cheeks turned into a wildfire. “I think we can check that one off the list.”

“Great idea. Make a list and we’ll work our way through it until…” I trailed off, realizing we’d have to put an end date on this at some point. “When’s your sister’s wedding?”

“Right before Christmas. It’s going to be magical.” She threw out some jazz hands along with her thick sarcasm.

“Perfect. While we’re convincing the world you’ve tamed all this—” I ran my hand down my chest, and she giggled. “We’ll convinceyouto embrace the unconventional. Figure out what you want.”

Her gaze turned inward, and I knew I had her. I had no idea why it was so important to me for her to move past this perfect good girl image she inhabited, but I saw hints of the Kenzie shecouldbe if she let everything else go.

“Okay. I can make a list.” She sounded like she was convincing herself, but I’d take it.

“I’ll give you the second item, since we already took care of the first. You have to come to my games. In my jersey. Non-negotiable.”

Her brows furrowed. “Can I read while I’m there?”

“Absolutely not. I expect cheering. Whooping. Maybe some tears.”

“Oookay,” she drew out the word. “I can agree to active participation if you?—”

“Nope. I’m already committed to playing the perfect boyfriend on campus and at any family function you feel is necessary. All you have to do is ask.”

I wasn’t sure how I’d work my schedule, but if I could find time to party the last three years, I could make time for Kenzie. The word commitment usually gave me hives, butpretendcommitment only made me tired.

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