Page 140 of Collide
The suggestion drags a sad look to her face, and I don’t know if I’ve said something wrong. “We want to come, but it’s hard with the diner and Eric’s knee. The long drive is almost impossible.”
Knowing how much it meant to Aiden that I went to his games, I could only imagine how thrilled he’d be to see his grandparents there. He’d never put them out by asking them to make the trip, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t try. “If I could arrange something for you guys to come to the Frozen Four in Boston, do you think you could work around the diner schedule?”
It’s a long shot. I’d have to ask my dad for help, and the qualifying games haven’t been played yet. But I have faith in the team.
“That would be great, but we don’t want to put you out.”
“Trust me, you’d be doing me a favor.” If there’s anything I can do to make Aiden’s eyes shine brighter, it’s a win for me.
A chilly kiss on my cheek makes me jump. Aiden’s flushed from the cold, and his hair is messy from playing on the ice. Eric breathes hard, pulling out a chair.
“Need an inhaler, old man?”
Eric laughs. “Let’s not forget I almost outskated you.”
“I was taking it easy on you.”
Edith brings Eric an ice pack for his knee. Despite his winces of pain, Eric looks like he’d do it again just for Aiden.
“Were you taking it easy on me when I outskated you?” I ask.
Aiden’s gaze cuts to mine in a narrow-eyed look. One that sends a chill of heat down my spine. He looks really good in the dark green sweater his grandma knit him. Not seeing him last night or this morning pulls at a sensitive part of me. In retaliation, Aiden places his cold hands on my neck forcing a squeal from me.
Edith bats his hands away. “You beat him, Summer? We’ve got to hear about this.”
His grandparents tease, and Aiden rolls his eyes. When they pull out the photo album, he groans and excuses himself to take a shower while I gush over his baby pictures. Apparently, Aiden was blond like his dad until he was about four years old, and his hair turned the brown it is today.
Sunny’s Angels
Kian Ishida: Is that Cap in a Little Bo-Peep costume? I’m posting this to my story.
Dylan Donovan: No fucken way. I love you for sending these.
Eli Westbrook: I’ve been waiting for these pics to see the light.
Summer Preston: Eli why didn’t you tell me you two took the same girl to prom?
Eli Westbrook: I asked her first, actually. Then she asked him and suggested a throuple.
Dylan Donovan: It’s only right that you take Summer from him now.
Eli Westbrook: You’re obligated to marry me, Sunny.
Summer Preston: I would have to decline, though may I suggest a…throuple?
Eli Westbrook: You’re evil.
Dylan Donovan: Third time’s the charm, buddy.
After eating just about everything Edith gives me, I head upstairs with a food coma. Curiosity pulls me into Aiden’s room of deep blue and hockey posters. There’s a wall of achievements, too, but most of his awards are in the trophy case downstairs.
“Snooping?” Aiden closes the door behind him.
“Just trying to get a read on you.”
He falls onto his bed. “Come over here and you can read me like one of your books, baby.”
“So confident, yet I just saw a picture of you dressed as Little Bo-Peep.”
