Page 68 of College Hockey Bully

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. I open our chat, reading the last message he sent me an hour ago.

I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.

Still smiling, I tuck the phone in my pants pocket, then reach for my jacket perched on top of the dresser. I already assured him there’s nothing to make up for. What happened this morning was not his fault. Would I have rather not been caught butt naked on the floor by his mom? Without a doubt. What happened next made it all worth it, though.

After checking on Milo and ensuring that he’s secure in his doghouse around back, I lock the front door with my key. A sudden rustling alerts me as I climb down the front steps. Glancing to my right where a short hedge separates us and the neighbors, I see it move. I roll my eyes. My neighbors have a tendency to let their cats out at night to wreak havoc. Our trash can is never the same when they’re done.

Making a mental note to have Daddy warn them again, I walk the short distance to my sister’s house. “Took you long enough,” she grumbles when I enter.

“It’s literally two minutes, you impatient little gossip,” I chastise, taking my nephew from her. I drop my ass on the couch, and she sits beside me with eager eyes.

“So?”

Grinning, I cover Georgie’s ears before launching into the details of my steamy night with Aiden. Theresa listens enraptured, squealing with glee when I’m done.

“It’s nice to know that I was wrong about him. I think he likes you, Scar. Guys don’t usually go to such lengths for a girl they just want to bang.”

“I think so, too, especially how he reacted when his mom walked in on us.”

Theresa’s mouth flies open. “She didwhat?”

Again, she listens, half fascinated, half horrified as I mention the humiliating episode. My face still burns when I remember Mrs. Hunter’s furious expression. But what sobers me up is how Aiden shielded me, not only with his body, either.

“Mom, don’t even think about it. Scarlett is my guest. Mine,” he said.

She opened her mouth to say something, but he interrupted “I’ll talk to you later.”

I couldn’t see the expression on his face, but it was enough to make her leave. Right after throwing a scathing glare at me.

“Oh my God.” Theresa palms her cheeks. “That’s not good.”

My stomach sinks. “You think so?”

“Remember Miley?”

I nod. Theresa and Miley were close friends back in high school, but they drifted apart afterward.

“From what I heard; she was married for two years. Two years of hell, because her mother-in-law hated her. She lost a ton of weight—remember, she was already skinny—and lost all her hair before realizing she needed to get out.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, the dads are usually cool, but when the mom hates you, it never ends well.”

“Way to burst my bubble,” I grumble, adjusting the now sleeping Georgie in my arms.

She shrugs sadly. “I’m sorry, just giving you the facts, sis. Things might be great right now, but don’t allow yourself to fall for him.”

I suck in a deep breath, staring up at the ceiling.

“Uh-oh.”

“Aiden is that kinda guy, Resa,” I mutter, looking sadly at her.

“I know. Tall, handsome, misunderstood with a secret heart of gold. Awesome in bed—I mean, on the carpet. It’s not even me and I’m falling.”

I can’t help it. I laugh.

Theresa chuckles back and pats my knee. “You’ll find your footing eventually. Until then, take it real slow.”

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