“I don’t trust the guys will be sober. I’ll be back before you know it.” Luca strides over and plants a kiss on my forehead.
“Goodnight, princess,” I mumble, trying to rile him up.
He growls and captures my lips in a heated kiss, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulls me tight against him. “Keep calling me that, princess, and you’ll find your bottom scorched.”
Thirteen
Luca
It takes every ounce of energy to leave the house, the warmth of my bed where Harper sleeps. It’s been weeks since I’ve touched her, caressed her skin, kissed and worshipped her body.
A part of me wants to stay in bed, but I promised the team I’d be there, and I also made a promise to my friends that I’d drive them home tonight.
Besides, it’ll just be a few hours at the party and then I can curl up with Harper for the rest of the night. We have the rest of our lives together.
I head up to the old place I was living in last semester.
From the outside, the house looks the same.
The front door is unlocked, and I let myself in, shutting the door behind myself. The inside is warm, toasty, and loud.
Music pumps all around us. Chase really likes to turn the speakers up, and he’s definitely redecorated. The place screams bachelor pad, and the smell is a bit stale.
Kensley and Brooks are hanging by the kitchen. He’s leaning against the wall; she’s got a drink in hand, laughing at whatever he’s saying. There’s definitely a vibe there, and Brooks is a good guy. He’s the least annoying freshman on the team.
It’s clear they’re flirting. His body language screams that he’s interested; leaning in, he brushes the hair away from her eyes and keeps his hand on her cheek for a moment.
I look away; it’s not my business what Harper’s best friend does or who she’s into.
The sofa in the living room is occupied by Chase and a girl I don’t recognize. They’re both bonding very intimately.
Ashton and Nova are seated across from them on the loveseat, which I’m not thrilled with the name, but it’s just a chair. They’re chatting up a storm. Nova stands, drink in hand, swaying her hips to the music.
She’s clearly had enough to drink.
Thank God, Ashton is watching her tonight.
It’s nice not to have to worry about my little sister. I head past Kensley and Brooks into the kitchen, grabbing a plastic cup with punch. No doubt there’s a shit ton of liquor mixed in.
While I’d prefer a beer, it looks like this is the drink of choice tonight.
I’ll take it.
It’s better than hanging out at this party sober without Harper.
I don’t plan on having more than one drink. Okay, two max.
My mind flashes back to tonight, seeing Harper at my game with Zeke, both of them wearing Narwhals jerseys. I wanted to skate over before the game started, but I knew she’d be my biggest distraction.
Not necessarily in a bad way, but I needed to concentrate.
I have to make it pro.
It’s the only way to escape Dante’s arrangement with me working under him.
And while it would only be a temporary fix, if I can make it big enough, he won’t want me involved in the business. There’d be too big of a spotlight, a national audience curious about me when I do eventually retire.
Hockey has to be my way out of Breckenridge. Away from the life Dante has chosen for me and for my family.
