Page 102 of In My Hockey Era
I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing here.
Actually, scratch that—I knowexactlywhat I’m doing here.
I’m here because Chase’s buddy, Levi, sent him a text a half hour ago that read:Dude, your boy’s girl is here, intent on getting DRUNK.
And Chase, being Chase, showed me the message.Said,Don’t do anything stupid, Wilder.
And now?
I’m here,definitelyabout to do something stupid.
The air is thick with alcohol and sweat, the flashing neon lights making everything feel chaotic.It took me less than a minute to find her.
Lucy.
She was on the dance floor, her body moving in time with the music, her head tipped back, hair spilling over her shoulders.In the smallest little black dress I’ve ever seen her in.
And yeah—there was a guy behind her.
He wasn’t touching her, not really.He was justthere, hovering too close, a hand ghosting near her waist like he was waiting for permission to close the distance.To seal the deal.To lean in close…make her laugh.Kiss her.Maybe more.Maybe take her home tonight.
Something ugly surges through me.
I watched for all of five seconds before I made my move.
I cut through the crowd, my jaw tight, my hands clenched into fists.The second I was close enough, I stepped in.Lucy spotted me, looking panicked.She pulled away.But it was too late.The damage was done.
The guy took one look at my build and wisely backed off.
And now she’s just staring at me, her hands on her hips.Her eyes are a little glassy.Flushed cheeks.Hair tousled.
She’stipsy.
She blinks up at me.“Wilder?”
I don’t answer.Not yet.I just take her in—this whole night, this whole situation—and it hits me all over again just how much I’ve missed her.
But I don’t get to miss her.
Because she’s the one who walked away.Just like Holly did.
Seriously, am I defective or what?
“What are you doing here?”she asks again, her voice loud over the music.
My lips press together.“Question is, what the hell areyoudoing here?”
She stiffens.“Excuse me?”
I don’t let her go.“Dancing with some guy you don’t even know—”
“Oh,sowhat?”Her eyes spark with challenge.“I’m not allowed to dance now?”
I exhale sharply, flexing my hands before I reach out and touch her.
“I just—” I rake a hand through my hair, trying to shake the jealousy strangling me.“You know what?Never mind.”
“Never mind?”she echoes, crossing her arms.
