Here.
Noah’s bar.
The universe was either helping me or torturing me, and I couldn't decide which. I made my way to the bar, keeping her in my peripheral vision. Noah slid a whiskey across to me and I downed half of it in one swallow.
"Rough day?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"You have no idea."
"Want to talk about it?"
"No."
He shrugged, already moving on to the next customer. That was the thing about Noah, he knew when to push and when to let things go.
I was debating my next move when a hand landed on my arm.
"Oh my god, you're Luca Vale."
I turned to find a blonde in a Frost Kings jersey that was three sizes too small, her smile bright and predatory. Puck bunny. I'd seen her here before, seen dozens like her. They came for the players, not the hockey.
"That's me," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.
"I'm such a huge fan," she continued, pressing closer. Her scent, generic floral perfume and Beta pheromones, did absolutely nothing for me. "I've been to, like, every home game this season."
"That's great. Thanks for the support."
Her hand slid from my arm to my chest. "Maybe you could sign something for me? Or... we could go somewhere quieter?"
Over her shoulder, I could see Reina watching. Her expression was carefully blank but I caught the way her jaw tightened, the way her fingers gripped her glass a little harder.
She was jealous.
The realization sent satisfaction curling through my chest.
"Maybe later," I told the blonde, gently removing her hand. "I need to talk to someone first."
I started toward Reina's booth but the blonde followed, clearly not taking the hint. Shayla spotted me first, her eyes widening slightly before she kicked Reina under the table.
Reina's head snapped up.
Our eyes met and I watched her entire body tense.
"Reina," I said, stopping at the edge of their booth. "Can we talk?"
"I'm busy," she said, her voice cool.
"It'll just take a minute."
"She said she's busy," Shayla interjected, though there was amusement in her voice. "Maybe try again never?"
The blonde chose that moment to plaster herself against my side. "Luca, come on. Let's go dance."
"I'm not really..."
"Please?" She batted her eyelashes. "Just one dance?"
I was about to refuse again when I caught the look on Reina's face. That carefully controlled mask had slipped, just for a second, and underneath it was something that looked a lot like hurt.
