Page 26 of College Hockey Bully

“Do you not see this when you look in the mirror after a shower?” She runs her hands down her curvy figure clad in boy shorts and a tank top.

“I don’t look in the mirror.”

“Even after losing all that weight?”

“Nope.”

“Oh, sweetie,” she clicks her tongue. “I wish you would, because then you’d see how beautiful that body is.”

“You’re gassing me up,” I grumble, sitting back down. “I’m still fat.”

“You’re curvy,” she corrects. “Just like me.”

“I look nothing like you.”

“Are you kidding me?” She dips and takes up the dress, then dumps it on me. “Go try it on.”

Her expression tells me there’s no use arguing, so I grab the dress and make my way to the bathroom, sweating like buckets by the time I get out of the confined space with the dress clinging to my body.

“Oh, wow,” Theresa breathes as I close the bathroom door behind me. “It fits even better than I thought.”

“Whatever.”

She gives me a dry look, then pushes me into the bedroom and before the mirror on the wall. “Judge for yourself.”

I attempt to close my eyes, but the reflection staring back leaves me gaping for a hot minute. I knew how much weight I’dlost after developing an eating disorder right after my surgery, but I had no clue it was so drastic. The dress hugs my curvy hips and tapers at my waist that looks so small and cinched. I’ve always had big boobs, but they look so voluptuous now, almost spilling from the neckline.

“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Theresa whispers.

Staring at myself from head to toe, I definitely agree. Heads would definitely turn if I show up to Cameron’s party in this outfit.

The only head I’d want to turn is Aiden’s.

I suddenly yank down the straps, perturbed by that thought. I don’t want Aiden’s head to do anything. All I want is for him to pretend like I don’t exist.

“What?” Theresa asks, frowning at my sudden movement. I pull the dress down my hips before it occurs that I’d left my clothes in the bathroom.

“I’m not going.”

Theresa sighs. “Okay, but keep the dress and makeup, in case you change your mind.” She squeezes my shoulder. “I understand how shitty people have been to you, but don’t let the past stop you from enjoying the present. If there’s even a tiny part of you that wants to go, you should consider it. You deserve to have fun, Scar.”

“I know.”

While changing my clothes, I consider what she just said. Maybe it’s time to stop denying myself the right to have fun. I should learn to let go for a change—with caution, of course. Cameron is a decent guy. I’m sure his house will be a safe zone.

Easing out of the bathroom, I give my sister a yielding smile. “Show me how to put that makeup on.”

Chapter 12

Aiden

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“What?” From his ‘throne’ on the patio overlooking the party in full swing below, Cameron stares in confusion at me.

“You invited her. What the fuck were you thinking?”

Cameron’s expression settles as awareness takes over. “Jeez. You’d think I invited the bride of Satan or something.”

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