I avoid going home.The moment I was accepted to Evergreen University, I hightailed it out of that miserable place of existence.
I heard Mom crying when I got accepted on a full scholarship.She’s the only reason that I’d consider going back home, but I can’t, and I won’t.
My heart hammers in my chest with the sound of the crowd cheering and shouting.The announcer riles up the audience and begins introductions for our team as we head back onto the ice.I search out in the stands for Harper.There’s a sea of teal and white for the Narwhals, our team, but she’s hard to spot at the moment, and she was wearing bright pink.
The crowd is on its feet, cheering for us, which feels amazing.I love home games.
Did Harper leave already?She made it crystal clear that she hates sports.Fifteen minutes of watching us working out, getting ready to play, and she already bailed.
We get our asses kicked.It’s brutal, and it is partially my fault.I’m not playing my best after spottingherin the stands, and Ashton riling me up about asking her out.
Distracted is an understatement, because I kept glancing up, looking for her.I got my face planted into the glass several times, the puck stolen from me, and my ass kicked even more.
Harper was nowhere to be seen.
Sure, there are tons of people in the stadium.It’s crowded, and she probably is just buried behind someone taller than her.Doesn’t make it any easier for me, knowing she’s out there watching my annihilation.
Or worse, she was watching, and then after I shouted her name and waved at her, she was embarrassed and left.
That thought nagged at me the entire game.
So much so that I couldn’t focus on the stupid puck sliding across the ice or the opposing team rushing for it.I didn’t give the game the same energy that I usually do.It’s like my heart just isn’t in it, because my focus is on the wrong thing.
After the game, Coach notices, pulls me aside and reams me for a good ten-minute tongue lashing.
He’s pissed because I fucked up, royally.
I have nothing to say.I don’t even attempt to make excuses because I know he’s right, and that’s the only thing that hits harder.I sucked because I was distracted by a girl.
Fuck me.
I need to get Harper out of my thoughts.She’s dangerous.
I shower in the locker room, and Ashton glares at me when I’m drying off.“What?”I ask.It’s impossible to ignore his angry stare.It’s like heat radiating off the asphalt.
“You played worth shit tonight.”
“Thanks,” I mutter and slip on my clean clothes.“Appreciate that,pal.”
“I’m not your personal ass-licker.”He stares at me, his gaze never wavering.
I hadn’t expected him to know what I meant, and it makes me feel even more like shit.“Sorry,” I apologize.
Ashton watches me with a quiet intensity while I lace up my tennis shoes and clean up my locker.
Usually, I’d snap back at him, ask him what he’s staring at, but after the night I had, I’m done.If he has something to say, he’ll come out with it.I know him well enough to know he won’t hold back.
I’m not disappointed.
“Catch feelings for the cute blonde?”He doesn’t have to say her name.He sees her all the time at the house, the two of us studying together.
I bite my tongue to keep from answering.A little pain actually feels good right now.I deserve it after how shitty I played tonight.
“Damn, you don’t even deny it,” Ashton says with a chuckle.“I knew it!Those study sessions are a lot more interesting than you let on.”
I roll my eyes, grab my phone and keys and head out of the locker room, making my way through the building and toward the exit for my car.
Ashton is right on my heels and riding my nerves as he hurries to keep up with me.“You’re still driving me home tonight, right?”
