Page 24 of Never Your Girl

“Listen.” She steps closer, voice dropping. “The day you walked in here, you had purpose. Pay your bills, take care of yourself, get where you need to be. Don’t let anyone, especially some boy, mess with that.”

My throat tightens.

She sees way more than I want her to.

“You’ve got something special, Holland. You’re smart and driven.” A small smile plays on her lips. “In a lot of ways, you remind me of myself at your age. Don’t lose sight of your goals because some guy’s got you twisted up inside.”

I swallow hard. Randi built this place from nothing and turned judgment into power. She’s everything I want to be. Strong, untouchable, and in control.

“Thanks,” I manage. “I won’t.”

She gives me a long look before nodding. “Finish getting ready and then get out there and kill it.”

As she walks away, her words linger, rooting themselves deep in my brain.

She’s right. I can’t allow myself to get distracted. Not by life’s curveballs, and definitely not by a certain gray-eyed hockey player who keeps finding his way into my thoughts.

Even though I don’t want it to, Bridger’s face flashes through my mind. The way he looked at me right before his lips crashed into mine. The feel of his muscular body pressed against me, pinning me to the bookshelf. Instead of allowing my brain to trip down that path, I shove the memories away and paste a smile on my face.

Back in front of the mirror, I apply my makeup, each brushstroke a layer of armor against the turmoil in my head. By the time I’m done, the person looking back at me is one I barely recognize. She’s bold and untouchable. Every inch the woman who can handle anything, even Bridger Sanderson and his accusations.

Just as I’m about to get up, my phone buzzes, and I glance down at the screen.

ColdAsIce17.

I’ve come to look forward to these messages more than I ever imagined, and tonight, they help ground me. Bridger might think I’m out to ruin him, but Ice sees past all that. He gets me on a level that most people never will.

ColdAsIce17

Sorry for not responding right away. You know I’d never leave you hanging. Rough day?

A small smile tugs at my lips, and for a moment, I let myself relax. I type back before I can overthink it.

Me

Unfortunately. Let’s just say it’s been one of those ‘who needs enemies when you’ve got assholes in your life’ kind of days.

His response is quick.

ColdAsIce17

Sounds like someone’s giving you trouble. Need me to break some kneecaps?

A snort escapes from me.

ColdAsIce17 has that way about him. He’s sarcastic, sometimes blunt, but there’s always an undercurrent of sincerity and protectiveness that’s impossible to ignore.

Me

Not sure anyone’s worth that much effort. Just some arrogant prick who thinks he’s got me pegged.

ColdAsIce17

Ahhh. One of those. Annoying.

Me

Exactly.

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