Page 36 of College Hockey Bully

“How did you even know that?” I ask, puzzled. We don’t take the same classes anymore.

He shrugs. “I have my sources.”

My hands fly to my hips. “I guess that same source told you where I lived, huh?”

Another shrug. “Maybe.”

“Mhm. I guess you don’t want another remedy to cure that strain,” I reply with a smug smile.

“You have a remedy.” It’s not a question, but I still nod, grinning.

Waiting.

With a conceding sigh, Aiden throws up his hand. “Fine. I did a background check on you after the incident.”

I gape. “Seriously?”

“Don’t look at me like that. I wanted information that would explain why you’d rat out your own team,” he says with the nerve to look offended.

“I bet you found plenty of reasons, huh? Primarily, I did it for money. I’m so poor and desolate that I’d take money from a rival to sabotage you.”

My tone drips with sarcasm. Yet, he stares back at me like a child who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter, pushing past him. I can’t believe he thought I’d stoop so low.

He grabs my arm, sending an instant thrill rushing through my body. I shouldn’t like his hard grip on me, but hell, I do. I also like how amazing he smells, sweet but spicy. It makes me want to back up and lean against his hard body. Instead, I pull away.

“You wouldn’t understand why I went to such lengths, Scarlett.”

“Try me. You’d be surprised.”

He shakes his head.

“I deserve to know, don’t you think? Considering how you invaded my privacy.”

“Maybe at some point. Maybe when we truly become friends,” he replies.

“Friends?” I scoff-laugh. “More like frenemies.”

He smiles softly, eyeing me. I ignore the responding flutter in my stomach. “Does this mean you’re going to help me?”

“I just might, but under one condition.”

“Which is?”

“I help you with some physical therapy and you keep your dogs off my back,” I barter.

Aiden sticks out his hand within a second, still smiling. “Deal.”

We shake on it. He holds me a bit longer than necessary, looking deep into my eyes. “Location and time?”

“You tell me.”

He’s still holding my hand. “My place, tomorrow morning at eleven. I’ll send someone to pick you up—”

“No. I’m riding my bike, which I should probably thank you for, but considering how you slashed my tires, nah.”

Aiden smiles. “I’m sending someone.”

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