Page 148 of Collide
“Definitely. You should surprise him. Wear something sexy!”
Sampson groans.
“He has practice. I’m not going to walk in there in lingerie.”
“Wear a trench coat,” she offers.
“She’s going to look like a flasher. Please don’t do that,” says Sampson, looking worried about our decision-making skills.
Amara gives him a look. “What do you suggest then, Tyler?”
“My jersey,” he grins.“Kidding. But you should tell him, he’ll be happy.”
Amara and I exchange a look. “You want him to be happy? Since when?”I’m stunned by the new discovery.
“Since he started making you smile,” Sampson admits.My awestruck expression makes him roll his eyes, but he allows my hug.“Okay, that’s my quota for hugs.” He moves out of my grip.
“Go already.” Amara pushes me, and I’m out of there before she realizes she’s alone with Sampson.
When I arrive, I’m looking through the plexi to find him on the ice when I catch Dylan walking in late.
“Hey Dylan, I need to talk to Aiden. Is he late?”
“You don’t know?” he asks, and I stare in confusion. “Summer, he was kicked off the team this morning. Kilner didn’t want to, but he’s out for the rest of the season. He’s done.”
My heart drops, and shock swirls in my chest. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. Well, as fine as he can be after being told he’s missing his last Frozen Four.” He must see my confusion because he goes on. “Donny caught up with him after we got back from Princeton the other day. Aiden confessed to that break-in.”
My mouth feels dry, and my bones feel weak when I lose my footing and stumble forward.
Dylan catches my arm. “You good?”
“It’s my fault.”
Dylan’s strong hold gives me enough energy to stand on my own. “He would never let you go down for it, Sunny.”
Anger sears my chest. “Why the hell would he do that?”
“He would do anything for you, you know that. Honestly, if he didn’t, one of us would have.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Look, I gotta go practice, but he’s at the house if you wanna talk to him. Think you’ll be okay to get there?”
I nod and head out of the arena, pulling out my phone.
Aiden
Summer: You are so dead, Crawford. I’m going to strangle you!
Aiden: Yeah? What else?
Summer: Don’t play with me! I’m coming over.
Aiden: Pants on or off?
God, he is infuriating. But before I can head over to the hockey house, there’s something I need to do, so I text Amara.
AMARA’S RAGE IS palpable as she storms over to one oblivious guy who startles when she approaches. “Rai! You fuck with my best friend again, and I will crush your skinny little bones with a pillowcase full of your textbooks.”
He smirks. “Bodyguard? Surprised it isn’t your jock.”
