Drew's voice booms across the ice, calling everyone in. We make our way to the exit, and I stay close to James, ready to steady him if needed. For a guy so sure of himself with everything else, seeing him so wobbly on his feet is kind of cute.
He grips my shoulder as he steps off the ice, his large hand warm even through my jacket. "Thanks," he says, while looking embarrassed.
"No problem." He grips my shoulder as he steps off the ice, his large hand warm even through my jacket. It's intentional this time, a deliberate touch, not a grab for balance, and my face heats up in response.
Fantastic. Two hours of physical activity barely fazed me, but one purposeful touch from James Hunter, and suddenly I'm blushing like a freshman. This fake friendship idea is already complicating things, and we haven't even started yet.
The team gathers around Drew and Emily, a collection of sweaty, dishevelled frat brothers. Emily looks perfect as always in her burgundy coat, her smile bright enough to warm the cold arena.
"Great job, everyone," Drew says. "You all survived hanging out together!"
A chorus of good-natured groans responds.
Emily claps her hands. "Before you all head back, I was thinking hot chocolate at the Winter Wonderland kiosk would be the perfect end to skating night. My treat!"
"Hot chocolate?" Tyler perks up, his arm around Ethan. "We're in," they say together before gazing at each other in a gag-worthy moment.
Several brothers glance at each other, clearly torn between the appeal of free hot chocolate and the desire to return to the frat house.
"I'm pretty beat," Rex says. "Early class tomorrow."
"Same," Mark adds quickly. "Rain check?"
Emily's smile dims slightly, and Drew's expression hardens. When Emily isn't happy, you can bet your ass Drew is going to make us do things until she is.It's his girlfriend, why do we have to...Oh crap, he's glaring at me now. Right. Brotherhood. Togetherness. All that bullshit.
"Hot chocolate sounds great," he says pointedly, looking around the group. "Doesn't it, guys?"
A few more brothers suddenly discover their schedules are flexible after all.
"I'm game."Where did that come from?Though hot chocolate does sound good after freezing on the ice. But something else: I feel reluctant to end the evening just yet. "I could use something warm after all that exercise." Glancing at James, I ask. "Hunter? You joining?"
Using his last name strikes the right balance, friendly but not overly familiar. He looks momentarily surprised before nodding. "Sure. Why not?"
"Great!" Emily beams. "It's a five-minute walk from here."
"Walking? After skating?" Gavin clutches his chest dramatically. "My legs are already jelly!"
"You'll survive," Emily says dryly.
"I don't know," Gavin continues, waggling his eyebrows. "Some of us might need to share body heat to make it. Hunter and Huntington look pretty cozy already."
Heat rises up my face, but I manage to roll my eyes dismissively. "The only thing I'm sharing is my opinion that you're an idiot, Gavin."
"A charming, handsome idiot," Gavin corrects cheerfully.
As we put our shoes back on, I see James is watching Drew and Emily. Something sad in his expression pulls at me. For all his loner act, maybe the Webmaster isn't as okay with being alone as he wants us to think.
"You coming, Hunter?" Standing by the exit with my hands in my pockets. My hair probably looks ridiculous from the cold air, but that's a problem for future Caleb.
"Yeah," he says, grabbing his backpack. "Right behind you."
The Winter Wonderlandturns out to be the University's central plaza, transformed with twinkling lights, vendor kiosks, and a large Christmas tree still being decorated. Despite the cool weather, students are milling about, admiring the lights and holding warm drinks in paper cups.
Emily walks our group over to a wooden stand that smells like chocolate and spices. "Their hot chocolate is legendary," she tells us. "They make it from scratch with real Belgian chocolate."
"Sounds fancy," James says, eyeing the menu prices.
"My treat, remember?" Emily insists. "Order whatever you want."
