Freddie snorted. “Look at you getting all interested.”
“Dude, no, not likethat.They’re the hockey coach’s daughters. My mentor. I’d be an idiot tothinkabout thinking about crossing that line.” I ran a hand over the back of my neck and snuck a quick glance at them again.
“The pretty one is wild.”
The surge of protectiveness hit me fast. Even without him expanding, I knew he was talking about Cami. Not Naomi. Didn’t explain the tightening in my chest though. “They’re twins. They’re both pretty. Clarify more, Frederick,” I said, a sharp edge to my voice.
“Cami. She’s…a party girl. In a sorority, dances, parties.”
“Okay, most college coeds go out a lot and don’t eat Skittles in the library. Neither of those things make herwild.”
Lines formed around Freddie’s mouth. “It doesn’t matter. I need to study.” He put his airpods back into his ears.
My phone buzzed on the table, directing my attention to the name popping up on the screen.COACH SIMPSON.
It was the reminder I needed. My internship, my focus. I should under no circumstances be thinking abouthis daughterin any sort of way.
CHAPTER FOUR
Naomi
Mona pursed her lips and tapped her pointer finger against her chin. “The rink is cold, yes?”
“Yes,” I said, eyeing the mountain of clothing options on our living room floor. Helping me decide what to wear to the away game took the entire crew. We all knew I had the worst fashion sense—but best budgeting skills—so Kelly, Lilly, and Mona all pitched in to help me out.
“You obviously need warmth,” Lilly said, picking up the orange long sleeve shirt that had a blue stripe on each arm and tossing it at me. “But to besportycute. You could wear that with a hat? And a blue vest?”
“And earrings. Hoop earrings are the quickest way to gain confidence,” Kelly said, walking to stand next to Mona as she eyed the options on the floor.
Despite the nerves and roller-coaster of emotions I had about attending my first college hockey game, there was the lingering urge to look good that had everything to do with Michael Reiner. Never in my life had a guy dismissed Cami with a look and then eyed me.
He did that at the library, and I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since.
“Why does she need confidence though? Our girl is fucking smart, cute, nice, and forgiving. If Cami were my sister, I would’ve punched her in the tit the second I saw her,” Mona said, the fierce loyalty of her friendship reminding me that it was okay that Cami and I weren’t close anymore.
I had these girls.
Lilly met my eyes and wiggled her eyebrows. “Because of theothersexy intern working with the team.”
My face heated as all three pairs of eyes looked at me.
Mona tilted her head. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, she didn’t tell you that this tatted up guy didn’t even give Cami a glance?” Lilly said, coming up and smoothing my French braids before patting my cheeks. “Our girl here has the attention of Michael Reiner. Look him up online. Right now. He is… fine.”
“I regret telling you this,” I said, resting my forehead on Lilly’s shoulder. She caught me at a weak moment, and I spilled everything. We didn’t have many secrets between the four of us, but most stories of me flirting—or failing at flirting—were often withheld.
Mona and Kelly eyed her phone and gasped.
“What the fucking fuck? A hockey player?” Mona said, her face transforming into a scowl. “Girl, you know the rules there.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I muttered, not needing to analyze all the reasons why my semi-crush on Michael Reiner would remain just that. Thankfully, Kelly saved me.
“Look at his face. Just look at it. And his hair. Oh, and his tattoos. You’re going to be sitting next to him at every game? Fletch, you’re going to drool.”
“I know! That’s the problem!” I groaned into my fist as butterflies exploded in my stomach. It was foreign towantto be cute for someone else. Knowing that I wasn’t attractive compared to my sister meant dressing was easy. I didn’t put a lot of stock into my appearance because she would always be the prettier twin. But with Michael? He called me data girl and winked at me. “Ladies, nothing is going to happen. I might just be wanting to be a bit shallow? Is that… horrible?”
Lilly rolled her eyes. “There is nothing wrong with a little vanity. I know what you’re wearing. Go put on your black jeans and come out here. We’d be breaking our roommate vow if we didn’t sex you up from time to time. Now, chop-chop, Fletcher. Let mama take care of you.”
