Page 13 of A Game Of Choice

I grin, rolling my eyes. “Hockey players might not be her type. But you want to know what is?” I ask playfully.

His eyes flick down to me, interest shining bright. “What?”

I grin. “You.” I bump my shoulder into his arm. He grins, chuckling as he shakes his head.

“Still a hockey player, Lills.”

“So? Sure, I know how you hockey players can be, the sport becomes your whole life. But there's so much more to you. You're kind, loyal, and you’re a good listener.”

“Lilly, is this going somewhere? You're pretty much describing a dog.” He looks down at me with a blank look.

“Yes.” I laugh. “What I’m trying to say is, she would be lucky to have you. I know I was. You're a good man, Jonas, and I know you would treat her right.”

“This is weird, you know?” He rubs the back of his neck, giving me a lopsided grin.

“What is?”

“Us. Talking like this. As if we never dated.”

“But did we really?” I ask, blinking up at him. “I know we said we labeled it that way, but could we call what we were doing dating? A relationship? Now, when I look back on it, we were just friends with the wrong title.”

“Yeah. I think I agree.” He nods, looking over at Bee.

“But you were my best friend before we ever became more. And it’s what you're always going to be. So, I just want you happy. I want her happy.”

His eyes flick back over to me. “What if she doesn’t want me? Has she ever told you she did?”

“Well, no.” I look toward Bee. “I mean, you don’t really tell your best friend ‘Hey, by the way, I have the hots for your boyfriend.’” I laugh.

“Okay, fair point,” he chuckles.

“But, Jonas, I see the way she looks at you when she thinks no one is watching. It’s a big reason why I wanted to end things before we came to school. Seeing her long for someone she thought she couldn't have sucked, mostly because I was the one causing it.”

“So, she was pining after me?” His voice takes on an amused, hopeful tone.

“Jonas,” I warn. “We shouldn’t even be talking about this. She’s my best friend. It goes against girl code.”

“But so am I,” he pouts.

“Ugh. This is so complicated.” I want to be there for both my friends, but it’s kind of hard when secrets are involved. I hate secrets.

“What's complicated?” Bianca asks, making Jonas and I jump.

“Ahh...” I blink up at him, mind going blank on what to say.

“The fact that Lilly has to live across the hall from the stepbrother she’s in love with,” Jonas blurts.

“Jonas!” I gasp, eyes widening. Way to throw me under the bus.

Bianca swings her gaze over to me. “Still? Babe, I thought you would have gotten over him by now.”

You would think. But no, being away from him like this has only made me long for him more. “Don’t give me that pitying look. I can’t help it, okay? I’m trying to move on,” I mutter, glaring over at Jonas who mouths. ‘I’m sorry’ from behind Bianca’s back.

“New goal. We’re going to have fun this year, mess around with some hot guys, and live a little. Help you forget all about him.” She throws her arm over my shoulder, urging me to keep walking.

Jonas’ eyes snap down to her fast, a dark jealousy taking over. Oh, he did not like hearing about her messing around with other guys.

“I’m not sleeping with random guys, Bee.”

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