Page 64 of Grumpy Darling

Chapter 15

Grayson

Damien was talking about himself. Surprise, surprise. Today, he was bragging about how many colleges were scouting him to play hockey for them. The way he spoke, you’d think he was the only player on the Devils who had hockey prospects beyond high school. I chose not to correct him. This wasn’t a competition. And if it was, I honestly didn’t care who won. You might have a million offers on the table, but you could only accept one, and that was all that mattered. I had my own future to worry about. Once Reed and I had finally made it to signing day and committed to Ryker, I’d concern myself with where Damien was going next year. Hopefully, he’d end up at a school on the other side of the country. Or better yet, the other side of the world. Did they play ice hockey in Australia?

I kept my focus on my tray of food, so all I had to do was nod and murmur in agreement as Damien continued to talk. I’d been avoiding him as much as possible since he’d arrived back in town, and the only reason I was anywhere near him right now was because it was almost time for my next coaching session with Paige.

I was still questioning my decision to pitch this plan to her. Suggesting she flirt with me in front of Damien was an attempt to create an opportunity for her to look at me the way I dreamed she would. I’d been trying to take Reed’s advice and be more proactive. But I was a little concerned my plan might worktoowell.

Damien was definitely interested in Paige. He’d already asked if we were together, and I’d seen the excitement in his gaze when I’d told him we weren’t. It was likely Paige had already caught his attention but, knowing Damien, watching her flirt with me would get the job done in no time.

Until recently, I could have just uttered a few strong words to Damien and he’d instantly forget he was ever into Paige. But I’d sworn to her I’d back off, so that was out of the question. To be honest, it probably wouldn’t work on Damien anyway. He wasn’t like the other guys around here. He didn’t care about my reputation. He was too preoccupied with his own. And if Damien was anything like the kid we all hung out with years ago, he wouldn’t be the least bit worried about pissing me off. In fact, I think he’d enjoy it.

My palms were sweaty as I waited for Paige to get to the cafeteria. I’d only been here ten minutes, but it felt like the longest lunch period of my life. Damien was still talking, and I had to wonder how he managed to eat and speak at the same time without muffling his words. It was quite an impressive skill. Maybe he’d get offered a college scholarship for that too.

“You hear that, Grayson?” Damien said. “They offered me a full ride.”

“Yeah, that’s great,” I replied, with absolutely no idea what team he was talking about.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and my body stiffened when Paige spoke. “Mind if I sit here?”

I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved she had arrived, so Damien would finally shut up, or pissed because that meant it was time to start luring him in. But as I looked up at her, I forgot there were any warring feelings within me. I knew she must be nervous, but there was a sense of confidence in her gaze and mischief in the slight tilt of her lips. All I could feel was awe, because damn, my best friend was beautiful when she was going after what she wanted. I just needed to keep working to make sure that thing was me.

“I don’t mind at all.” My voice came out low and husky. She had absolutely no idea the effect she was already having on me.

Paige gave me a wink, then lowered herself onto my lap and twisted her hands around my neck. I froze. I’d known she was going to flirt with me, but I hadn’t realized that meant she’d be using me as her own personal chair. Not that I was complaining.

She shifted on me as she got comfortable. No, I definitely wasn’t complaining. Though I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. I had no idea where to put my hands, and I settled with lightly resting them on her waist. I was wary of doing anything that might make her uncomfortable, but she didn’t seem the least bit concerned by our closeness.

As she smiled down at me, I wondered how I was going to get through lunch without bursting into flames. It felt as though we were playing with flickering sparks next to a forest of dry tinder. One wrong move and we’d set everything ablaze.

I’d gotten so good at containing my feelings. At making sure she didn’t realize the depth of how much I cared for her. But for once I didn’t have to restrain myself. I didn’t have to pretend I wasn’t in love with her. If anything, I was supposed to be doing the exact opposite. I needed to play along with her. Not that it would be any challenge. Iwantedto kiss her. To put my hand in her hair and pull her closer to me. Though that would probably be taking my performance too far.

I wondered if she could sense the direction of my thoughts, because her eyes flickered with surprise, and she bit her lower lip as her gaze darted down to mine.

“Hey, P,” Damien said from my side.

“Oh, hi, Damien,” Paige replied, though her gaze didn’t leave mine. She couldn’t have seemed less interested in him, and while I knew she was doing it for show, it was hard not to smile in response. She was looking at me like I was the guy she wanted, and my poor heart was struggling not to fall for the act. I would do just about anything to have her look at me this way all the time. To look at me this way for real.

“Wow, Grayson.” Paige smiled coyly at me as she ran her fingers across my shoulders. “Have you been working out?”

Her words broke the bubble surrounding us, reminding me this was just pretend. It was the same line she’d used on the lake yesterday. Maybe she was sticking with what worked. Only, she couldn’t know just how effective it was. It wasn’t the line itself, more the sound of her soft, seductive voice and the feel of her fingers trailing across my shoulders and onto the back of my neck.

“I’ve got to impress the girls somehow,” I said, managing to compose myself enough to form a reply. “It’s not exactly my friendly personality that gets them going.”

“Aw, I like your personality.” She laughed lightly. “Besides, there’s something so sexy about broody guys.”

“Is there now?” That was news to me, but I kept my tone casual and inquisitive, rather than shocked. My mom was always gushing about the broody love interests in her books, but no one wanted that guy in the real world, did they? It was the equivalent of choosing to go for a walk in a storm instead of on a bright, sunny day. And I knew how much Paige hated storms.

“Uh-huh.” Her fingers were now slowly sliding down the center of my chest. “Especially when they’re so incredibly talented at hockey.”

Damien cleared his throat beside us. “Well, P. Lucky for you, you’re surrounded by a whole team of talented hockey players.”

Ugh. I’d almost forgotten he was there. Apparently, our little charade was working. When I glanced at Damien there was an eager look in his eyes. It was my eighth birthday all over again, but this time I wasn’t letting him steal my candles. Paige was mine, and now I’d gotten a taste of what it would be like to have her look at me like I was hers too, I wasn’t going to give her up without a fight.

“Perhaps.” Paige responded to Damien’s comment, but she was still looking at me. “But when I come to games, I’ve only got room for one number on my jersey. And I have always liked the number seven...”

I grinned up at her, and she returned my smile. She always wore my number to our games. I never wanted that to change. It would kill me to see her supporting someone else.

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