CHAPTERTEN
The Riverway is crowded, and Ashley drags me up to the bar to chat with Blaire about the game. Really, I think she’s dying for me to tell her about my kiss with Hunter.
I don’t say anything, though, and Ashley manages to keep her mouth shut. She does grab my arm and squeal when Blaire asks how Hunter played in the game, but as soon as the four Storm brothers, plus Dean and Murph, join us, Ashley gets distracted by Jared.
“What’s up with those two?” Hunter says in my ear.
I glance at Ashley giggling at something Jared said to her. He’s completely focused on her.
“I think they had a thing for each other in high school,” I say. “Don’t you remember?”
Hunter takes a sip of his beer. “Jared never said anything.”
I laugh. “That doesn’t mean it’s not true. Jared never shares his feelings on many subjects.”
“True.” He leans in closer. “Speaking of, we need to talk.”
I bite my lip. “I know. But not here.”
“Later,” he murmurs in a low voice filled with promise.
I suppress a shiver. I hope I know what I’m doing.
“Hey!” Jared calls out.
His gaze is fixed over my shoulder, and I whip around.
Declan Wild is here. His ball cap is pulled low over his face, and he’s standing in the darkest corner of the bar. It’s clear he doesn’t want the attention, but his teammates don’t seem to be on the same page. Tex Williams and Arch Morrison stand calmly in the center of the attention all three are already getting.
The Storm brothers are pretty famous in the world of hockey. But Declan Wild is a modern-day Wayne Gretzky, and he’s from Louisiana too, which makes him all the more interesting to the patrons of the bar.
“Welcome home, Mr. Wild!” A roar comes up from the crowd.
Declan gives an appreciative nod and hand wave before sinking into the nearest seat. His perfect jawline is tensed, and his cheeks are flushed. Tex and Arch take seats at the same table with him, and all three bend their heads together in conversation.
“I feel bad for him,” I say out loud.
Hunter gives me a look.
“What?” I say to him. “I do.”
Ashley overhears me. “I do too, Win. Poor guy just wants some privacy. How could he possibly enjoy himself when he goes out?”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Jared says. “Are you two serious right now? You feel sorry for one of the biggest stars this sport has ever seen? A guy who had an eight-figure, fully-guaranteed contract he just played out with the Denver Alphas, not to mention his endless endorsement deals? Declan Wild is a great guy, but to say you feel sorry for him is taking it too far.”
“You’re just jealous.” Ashley twirls a lock of auburn hair with her finger and sticks out her tongue at him. “So sad to be jealous of such a great guy like you said.”
Jared glares at her as she continues to tangle her hair around her finger and smile at him teasingly. Jared looks like he’s either going to fight with her or kiss her, and Ashley doesn’t seem to be sure which option she’d choose.
“What do you think?” Hunter says in my ear. “Do you feel sorry for Wild?”
I glance over at Declan but draw back in surprise when I realize he’s coming this way.
“Um…” I wave my hands at Ashley.
She looks at me with her eyebrows raised. Until she sees who’s coming up behind me.
She gasps and grabs my arm so hard I’m sure I’ll find a bruise in the morning.
