At least I look cute if I’m going to freeze to death. The pastel eyelet yellow sundress I’m wearing is one of my favorites and always makes my light blue eyes seem brighter. The sleeves are short and ruffled, and the bodice is cinched tight with a ribbon, tied with a bow.
I rub my palms up and down my arms, which are now decorated with goose bumps, walking toward the players’ bench. I haven’t spotted Coach Taylor yet, but I do see Bennett Legros, Saint’s best friend, who’s now one of my very good friends.
Our unlikely friendship was forged out of solidarity over the fact that both of our best friends are disgustingly, sickeningly in love, and we’re perpetually the third wheels.
He also happens to be the world’s biggest flirt.
Cocky, self-assured, obscenely large ego.
But he’s also surprisingly sweet, kind, and thoughtful.
He is somehow all of these things combined, and honestly, I love being around him.
His personality is just infectious. You can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous and over-the-top he is, and every time we hang out, I leave with a smile that I can’t wipe off and my stomach aching from laughing.
Walking up to the boards, I prop my elbows on the top and drop my chin into my hands as he skates toward me.
He tucks his stick beneath his arm and then takes off his helmet, shaking his drenched hair like a dog, splattering me with sweat.
“Ew, Bennett, gross,” I screech, stepping back. “What the hell!”
He smirks, the corner of his lip turning up and revealing the clear mouth guard that he reaches up and pulls out before winking at me. “Hey, gorgeous. Come to watch me play?”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest, but I can’t stop the smile. See what I mean about the ego… and the charismatic, over-the-top flirting?
Objectively, he’s hot.
Really freaking hot. Buzzed, dirty-blond hair, a gorgeous smile, piercing green eyes that are always bright, happy, with far too many muscles to count.
But as many times as he’s asked me out, which is an absurd amount, I still just can’t bring myself to say yes.
Mostly because I don’t… date.
But also because our friendsaredating, and it could be messy if that didn’t work out between us. Plus, I really love our friendship.
And also, there’s the undeniable fact that Bennett is the kind of guy who loves the unseriousness of it all. I learned that very quickly about him.
He flirts with anything with two legs—literally, he doesn’t care if you’re a guy on his team or a girl who’s come to the boy aquarium to watch him. He’s a go-with-the-flow, whatever-feels-good-to-him kind of guy.
But it’s just that.
A temporary feeling.
Nothing serious, nothing that requires commitment from him.
As many times as he’s tried to date me, that’s not what hereallywants. We both know that.
I’m pretty positive that he would be terrified and run in the other direction if I actually took him up on any of his offers.
For him, it’s just the fun of the game, the thrill of chasing but never catching.
So Bennett Legros is in the friendzone. Permanently.
But that doesn’t mean that I’m any less susceptible to his charm. I am just a girl, after all.
Reaching up, I tuck a wispy strand of hair behind my ear as I scoff playfully. “As if, lover boy. Corral your ego.”
His grin only widens. “You wound me, beautiful. Can you blame me for wanting to be the man tofinallyget the elusive Maisie Delacroix?” He leans forward, placing his elbows beside mine on the boards, much too close for someone who’s been rejected more times than I can even count. “C’mon, Mais, lemme take you out. You know we’d have a blast.”
