Page 112 of Treacherous
All are non-negotiable.
I snap my neck forward, a knock echoing through the small space. Dad built this for me and Jaz when we were younger so now that we are nearly adults, it is harder for us to fit in here.
Both of us were lucky enough to get our mum’s tall genes, which is great for me as it assists me when playing hockey.
Sitting up, I clear my throat before replying. “Come in.”
Surprise splashes across my face as Willow Rogers crawls into the treehouse and takes a seat beside me. Although we are teammates, we do not get along. There are multiple reasons, the first I squashed last year as I realised I was being an asshole.
Willow kept playing hockey despite all the girls quitting after they turned fourteen. I didn’t think she should continue playing as, after this age, the game turns rough. I thought I was trying to keep my sister’s best friend safe but I was just being a misogynistic asshole.
I tried to apologise but Willow didn’t want to hear it. Then, she became unpredictable. I hate being unpredictable. Control is everything to me and she was one thing I could never control. Our stubborn and opposing natures clash every time we are together, so heated glares and taunts are how we communicate.
“Are we going to sit in silence? Or are you going to tell me why you weren’t at training?” she asks.
I raise my eyebrow. “I’m touched by your concern.”
Willow tilts her head down, narrowing her eyes at me. “I’m trying to do something nice, and you decide to mock me. I thought you were dying or something. Why else would Jayden Allen miss hockey training?”
I release a breath, and I can’t help the small smirk that pulls at my lips. “Worried, were you?”
Willow’s nostrils flare and based on her angry glare, she isn’t happy with my response. I won’t ever admit it out loud, but angry Willow is my favourite.
“Fine,” I say. “But Jaz told you the rules of the treehouse, right?”
She smiles. “What happens in the treehouse stays in the treehouse.”
I nod, swallowing back the fear. “My friends – well, I wouldn’t really call them friends after today, but that’s beside the point. They were talking about girls and the things they’ve done and I was the odd one out.”
Willow’s eyebrows scrunch together before a laugh escapes her chest. “Wait, you’re upset because you’ve never had sex?”
“Stop laughing. And no, it’s not about sex, well maybe. But I haven’t even kissed anyone. Until the boys said it today, I’ve never thought about it with everything that has been going on with hockey.”
Willow’s eyes settle on my face. “Oh, you’re serious about this. This is such a guy thing to complain about.”
My gaze falls to the ground, avoiding Willow. She does have a point. But it still stings that this is the situation I’ve got myself into.
“Okay, I’ve got a solution.”
My head whips around and I’m unable to look away from Willow’s eyes.
“You can kiss me.”
I choke on air, coughs spluttering from my throat. What the fuck did she just say? My gaze doesn’t waver from her as she continues to talk.
“I’ve never kissed anyone either, so we both have no expectations. Plus, even though we don’t like each other, I trust you more than any other guy.”
Every word penetrates my skin and forces its way to my heart. I suck in a breath, while I’m unable to stop my gaze from wandering to Willow’s lips. She wants me to kiss her.
“You would be okay with that?” I say, my voice low and laced with desire.
Willow nods. With her consent, I lean closer to her face allowing me to study her hazel eyes. I’ve never been this closeto her and at this moment, I’m noticing every little detail of her face.
I want to commit the layout of her freckles and the specks of gold that flash in her hazel eyes to memory, because I may never get this chance again.
I lean closer. Our foreheads graze the other and I let out a shaky breath. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
Willow continues to nod. Her chest rises quickly and eyes fluttering shut as she moves towards me. I follow her lead.
