Page 64 of Never Your Girl

My gaze gets snagged by Willow. When she beams like a Cheshire cat, I shake my head and roll my eyes.

I don’t realize that the others have been listening to the conversation until they all murmur in agreement. My stomach twists into a series of painful knots. They’d be shocked to learn that this isn’t the real deal.

He essentially blackmailed me to be here, pretending to be his girlfriend.

It doesn’t escape me that these girls have gradually become my friends and I’m lying to them. I don’t like the way it makes me feel.

Like a fraud.

My attention drifts across the lobby before landing on a trio of men near the far wall. Two of them are big, well-built, and impossibly good-looking. The third is the chancellor of the university, Richard Sanderson. Even from here, his presence feels sharp and cold, like a brittle winter wind slicing through a thin coat.

“Who are the two men with Bridger’s father?” I ask, nodding toward the small group.

Juliette follows my gaze. “The one on the left is my dad,” she says with a small smile, “and the other is Colby’s father.”

“They’re both former NHL players,” Britt adds, tossing her caramel-colored hair over her shoulder. “Gray McNichols now works for ESPN.”

“No shit?” I nod, impressed despite myself. I’ve never been into athletes, but maybe I’ve been too hasty about that decision.

Carina leans closer, her voice low and teasing. “Almost makes you want a daddy, huh?”

My eyes widen as I choke on a laugh. “Jesus, Carina. What would Ford say if he heard that?”

Her expression turns sly. “Probably that he loves his baby girl more than anything.”

I shake my head.

On second thought, I could totally see that.

The locker room doors finally open, and the guys start trickling out one by one. Each player greets their significant other with smiles, hugs, or kisses. Ford beelines straight to Carina before wrapping her up in his arms and smacking her lips with a kiss. A few of the other guys do the same with their partners. I’ve never been a girl who thought she was incomplete without a man in her life. I’ve never had the time for a relationship, and after allowing myself to get close to Bridger freshman year and getting burned, I didn’t want to risk my heart again.

But…

Seeing all the other couples, especially Maverick and Willow, I can’t help the loneliness that creeps in at the edges. Like maybe being on my own isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

I scan the face of each player who joins the throng, looking for Bridger. A few more minutes tick by and there’s still no sign of him.

I spent a lot of years at the hockey rink with Willow watching her twin brother, River, play. I wouldn’t say I’m an avid fan. Although the fights that erupted were mildly entertaining. But I know enough about the game to understand that Bridger had a rough one.

After the way he held me in his arms and comforted me last night, the walls I normally keep in place where he’s concerned have started to crumble.

My attention drifts back to Richard Sanderson. He exchanges a few more words with the two former NHL players before striding purposefully down the hallway that leads to the locker room. Something about him sets my teeth on edge. It’s not just his aloof demeanor. It’s the way he carries himself, like we should all be thankful he decided to grace us with his esteemed presence.

Say what you want about my mother and her parenting style, but deep down I know she loves me. Maybe not the way I want, but I’ve never questioned it.

“I’ll be right back,” I say, forcing a casual tone as I step away from the group. “I’m going to use the bathroom before we head out.”

“Want me to come with?” Ava asks as Hayes wraps his arms around her from behind and presses a kiss against the side of her face.

“Nah, I’m good.” Instead of waiting for a reply, I swing away and follow Richard, making sure to keep a careful distance.

The hallway is quiet, the hum of fluorescent lights amplifying the sound of my Chucks against the polished floor. My pulse quickens when he pushes through the heavy door and disappears inside the locker room.

I hesitate as my hand hovers over the metal handle.

If I had any brains whatsoever, I’d return to the lobby and wait for Bridger there instead of eavesdropping on a private conversation. For a handful of seconds, curiosity wars with common sense.

I take a deep breath and cautiously ease the door open before slipping inside, trying to make as little noise as possible. The last thing I want is to alert either of them to my presence.

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