Page 53 of College Hockey Bully

I know how often I’ve fantasized aboutripping that black dress off her.

Cameron squeezes my shoulder. “Bottom line is, if you snooze, you lose. The guys now know what’s under those baggy clothes and they like it very much.”

Scowling, I shake his hand off me. “Fuck you. I know what you’re doing.”

“Stopping you from making a silly mistake? Right on, dude.” He types something in his cell phone. “I just sent Stanley a text to call when he’s done with work. By tonight, I’ll have his price. You, my friend, have got work to do, too.”

I stare at him blankly.

“Call Scarlett,” he enunciates like someone talking to a two-year old. He laughs when I flip my middle finger at him. The door shuts on his departure and I drop back on the couch with a sigh.

Here in the silence, I admit what I’ve always known. I’ve been drawn to Scarlett since third year calculus and even now, after that moment we shared, I don’t know why. Sure, she’s attractive under all those clothes, but so was every girl I’ve been with. What is it about her that makes it hard to breathe? Why do I feel this insane urge to be around her? Why am I so obsessed with ensuring that she’s safe? It’s more than my guilt for throwing her under the bus. Even after I clear her name, I’d want to always know she’s okay.

Standing, I grab my phone from the center table.

Maybe it’s time to find out.

No one has to know.

Chapter 19

Scarlett

With Dad now working for a new landscaping firm—thank God, and Mom taking an extra shift to bridge the gap until his first paycheck comes in, it’s my duty to make dinner, which I enjoy. Besides having my nose buried in books, the only other thing I love is being in the kitchen.

Which is where I am when the doorbell rings. I pause stirring the tomato sauce, frowning at the pallet that separates the small kitchen from the living room.Who the hell could that be?

After wiping my hands on my apron, I hurry to the door as it rings again. I cautiously open it, the sight of Aiden on my doorstep making me wish we had a peephole. He’s wearing a restrained smile, his right hand holding a huge bouquet.

Wait a minute.

Flowers?

“Aiden?” I greet tentatively, because my eyes must be playing tricks on me.

“Hey.”

Well, it sounds like him. I adjust my tank top, wishing I’d put on a bra, thankful that I’m wearing the apron. “What are you doing here?”

He gestures to the door. “Can I come in?”

“Uh…” I glance behind me. The house is spotless, as usual, but after being by his place, I’m definitely not secure with him being here.

“I won’t bite, I promise.”

My head turns back to his mischievous smile.

“Well, only if you beg,” he teases.

“Aiden—”

“I’m sorry.” He raises the bouquet. “That was my weak attempt at a joke. These are yours, by the way.”

Still tentative, I take them. They smell divine. “Thank you.”

Aiden smiles in response. “Look, I understand if your folks are on the way home. I’ll just see you—”

“How do you know they’re not at home?” I ask suspiciously.

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