“And, Ash?” she adds.
“Yeah?”
“I also think you should give Colt a chance to explain himself for whatever lie he might’ve told you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I deflect.
“I’m serious,” she returns. “Colt seems like a good guy. I don’t want your shitty past with Logan to taint what you could have with Colt if you gave him a real shot.”
Then, she heads toward her room, and I’m too dumbfounded to stop her.
38
COLT
Every muscle in my body aches as I trudge up the steps and knock on Ash’s door.
When it opens, she frowns, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“You invited me,” I remind her.
“Right.” With a weak smile, she glances over my shoulder and scans the sidewalk while opening the door the rest of the way. “Come on in.”
“Everything all right?” I ask as she folds her arms, rubbing her hands up and down them.
Looking small.
Fragile.
“Uh, yeah,” she lies.
Snaking my hand around her waist, I bring her closer and kiss her softly, melting a bit of the iciness between us.
“Missed you,” I murmur against her lips.
She closes her eyes and sighs. “Missed you too.”
There’s resignation in her words though.
I pause, pull away, and look down at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Talk to me, Sunshine.”
“It’s nothing,” she repeats, avoiding my gaze.
“Ash,” I warn.
“I…” She sighs and folds her arms again, putting some distance between us. “Can we talk?”
“About what?”
“About hockey?” she suggests.
I shake my head, ignoring the ball of lead in the pit of my stomach. “What about it?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you’re on the team?”