Page 71 of Ice Cold Rival

The comments stopped as I drew within Reece’s hearing, no surprise since they didn’t want him to think they were talking crap abouthim.I couldn’t wait to graduate and get away from Toby’s influence. Provided the administration didn’t suspend me with one semester left.

Reece smiled, pulling me close for a long, slow kiss, and my other worries faded to the back of my mind. When he was holding me, I felt like the rest of the world didn’t matter.

“How was your presentation? Did you crush it? You crushed it, right?”

I smiled at his excitement. “I crushed it.”

“Now that your presentation is over, I’m going to ask you again to move in. Ask you, this time, because Cole informs me I was an overbearing ass before.”

“Cole is a good cookie,” I murmured.

Honestly, the impending move seemed like the least of my worries. My mom had called so many times in the last two hours, I’d been tempted to block her number. Three guesses who’d told her. After a brief explanation about how the eviction was a misunderstanding, I informed her Iwantedto move out and I’d give her the details when I had them.

She had no choice but to accept because I got off the phone right away. Then I’d buried myself in presentation prep as a welcome distraction. I hated packing and finding a new space. The only place in Addison I felt comfortable was at the hockey house.

Boo loved it there because he could play with Sunny any time he wanted, and I was pretty sure the guys spoiled him with treats when I wasn’t around. It would be easy to accept Reece’s offer, but I’d spent most of my life choosing the easy route.

Now that I didn’t have the presentation on my mind, I couldn’t stop the spiral of worried thoughts from taking over.

Even without the threat from the school, my relationship with Reece was still in a confusing, hazy state of limbo, which was my own fault. We weren’t faking anything anymore, but I was leery of going all in again. Moving in together felt like a big freaking commitment.

Reece drove in silence, letting me stew. Yet another reason I would have loved to move into his house. All the guys respected when I needed alone time.

Which was why I couldn’t use them as a shield. Asking them to risk an association with me right as they were gearing up for the second half of their final season felt patently unfair. They needed to focus on doing their best and finishing out the season strong, not whether they’d be kicked out of school because Toby was a vindictive prick.

He was stupid for throwing his teammates under the bus along with me. Yeah, he wanted Reece’s spot on the first line, but getting rid of the best players on his team wouldn’t get him a championship. His short-sighted behavior would end up hurting all of them.

And I couldn’t follow in his selfish footsteps. Decision made.

We turned onto his street, and Reece glanced my way. “Do you want me to circle the block?”

I shook my head as my chest constricted at the conversation I was about to have. “I appreciate your offer to move in, but I’m going to find another way. When we started this whole thing, it was beneficial to both of us, but now your association with me could drag you down. Toby is determined to tie you to me even if it screws with your season. I don’t want your coach to rethink his choice for captain—and I don’t want you to regret this.”

Reece parked in the driveway and frowned. “I’m not afraid of Kane, and Coach knows his own mind. He didn’t make me captain because of my relationship with you, and he’s not going to demote me because of it either.”

I pulled the letter from the university out of my bag and handed it to him, watching him grimace as he got to the investigation and associate parts. “It might not be his choice. If things go badly, TU could make you ineligible to play.”

His jaw tightened with a familiar stubbornness. “I’m willing to take that risk. This letter makes me even more determined to have you safe here where we can help. Gavin won’t charge you rent for a single semester, so you wouldn’t have to get your parents’ approval. If the worst case comes true, we can take care of you.Ican take care of you.”

Frustration dropped my head back onto the seat. “I’m tired of people taking care of me. I want to take care of myself. The sorority is required to return my deposit and advanced payments if I won’t be living there. I can find a room to rent.”

Reece let out a discontented growl, but I didn’t let him stop me.

“This isn’t up for discussion.” I exited the car and made it all the way upstairs before Reece caught up to me.

He followed me into his room, closing the door behind us. “I’m not going to try to change your mind, even though I think you’re wrong. You don’t want to live here? Fine. Boo and I will miss you, but we aren’t going anywhere.”

Instead of the cold annoyance I expected, Reece pulled me into his arms. “You’re more important to me than finishing out the season. Kane is losing his mind with this shit, and I’m worried about what he’ll do next. If it comes down to playing hockey or protecting you, I’m choosing you. And you can’t stop me.”

My throat closed up with emotion. I wasn’t sure anyone had chosen me before, but I couldn’t let him forfeit his chance to play. “I’ll keep that in mind,” I whispered.

He leaned back to peer at my face. “Are you coming to the game tonight?”

I hesitated. “I don’t think I should. I’m cursed right now, and I don’t want to bring you guys down with me. Feeling protective goes both ways. I just need a little time to figure things out.”

His face closed up, but he didn’t let me go. “Whatever you need, Kenzie. I hope you’ll be here when I get back.”

I nodded, and he kissed my forehead before releasing me to change into his pre-game clothes. Reece had to be at the arena early for his captain duties, and I bit my lip to keep from asking him to stay. The whole point was to give him the space to succeed.

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