I ought to let the bastard walk home, but I’m feeling generous.He scored two goals.I let the other team sink one in.I shove open the doors to the stadium and feel a blast of icy cold air hit my skin.
It’s freezing outside, and quite a walk to the car.I can practically see my breath, and I fiddle with my keys in my pocket.“Get in, but don’t make me wait for your ass,” I warn him.
Ashton hurries, knowing that I just might leave him.I’m in that kind of a mood tonight.
What I don’t expect is to see a strange girl leaning on the driver's side of my car.She’s wearing my jersey along with a pair of black leggings.She’s shivering and has her arms folded across her chest, but I can’t imagine it’s doing much to keep her warm.
“Can I help you?”My tone is sharp, quick, and with as much bite as the cold nipping at my fingers.
I don’t recognize her, and if she’s a puck bunny, I’m not interested.
Her cheeks are rosy, and I can’t tell if it’s the chill outside or my harsh tongue that has her blushing.
By now, most of the cars have left the lot, which made it fairly easy to find my vehicle buried near the back, and with no one parked on either side of us anymore, it’s not as though she’s having trouble finding her vehicle.
“We have Chemistry,” she says, whispering at me, her eyes heavily caked with eyeliner and mascara.Her eyes are mesmerizing, and I inhale sharply, trying to remember her.“I was hoping I might buy you a drink,” she whispers, keeping her voice low and sultry.
She’s pretty, but I’m getting weird stalker vibes, considering she’s asking me out in front of my vehicle.How did she know which car was mine in the lot?“I’m flattered but not interested,” I say.I can’t recall her name, and while I am taking Chemistry 201, I swear I’ve never noticed this girl before.
She probably wasn’t wearing my jersey in class though, either.
“Are you going to give her a ride?”Ashton asks, yanking the car door open and climbing into the passenger side.He slams the door shut before I even have time to answer him.
The blonde pouts and shivers again, but this time it’s much more noticeable.I can’t help but wonder if it’s intentional, like she’s trying to tell me with her body language she’s cold.Which I don’t doubt, considering her attire.
“Could you give me a ride?”she asks, her blue eyes staring up and hopeful.“I don’t live far.I’m in the dorms.”
I glance back over my shoulder.There’s no sign of Harper, the one girl I want to see tonight.I guess she bailed out early or left with her friends since I doubt she showed up alone to watch the hockey game.
I sigh and reluctantly open the back door.“Climb in.I’ll drop you off.”
“Thank you!”The girl squeals with delight and climbs into the backseat.“I’m Quinn,” she says, quick to introduce herself.
I shut the door and hurry into the driver's seat, turning on the engine to warm up the vehicle.
“I’m betting you already know our names,” I say.She’s wearing my jersey, which looks handmade.
“Luca Ricci and Ashton Rinaldi,” she says.“Hard not to know who the two of you are, since you’re Evergreen’s best hockey players on the team.”
The girl knows how to stroke an ego.
“I’m better,” Ashton quips and turns around, flashing Quinn a megawatt smile.“You’re wearing the wrong jersey, Quinn.This guy, he spends more time in the penalty box than on the ice.”He jabs a thumb in my direction.
Usually, I’d argue who's the better player, which, of course, is me, but I’m not feeling it tonight.My thoughts drift back to Harper, seeing her earlier in the stands.I can’t stop thinking about it.
Why has she gotten under my skin?
“So, that game tonight.Tough,” Quinn says.She’s fueled with excitement and energy, neither of which I’m feeling at the moment.After a game, I’m typically soaring on the endorphins.
Tonight was a hard loss.A wake-up call that I need to get my shit together for our next game.I have to deal with Harper, whatever that means … I’m not even sure.
I drive over toward the quad and glance up at Harper’s building.“Give me a minute.I want to catch up with someone,” I say to Ashton.
“Really?You’re going to do this now?”Ashton huffs and leans his head back on the headrest.“Just leave the engine running, would you?”
I leave the engine on and hurry outside in the chilly air.“I’m in Building B,” Quinn says.
Harper lives in Building B also.
