“It was on a piece on the judges’ table in front of you.”
He shakes his head. “We went to the same school. Back in Hemlock Beach. We had a class together last year.”
So he does remember me.
“Yeah. I wasn’t sure you would recognize me.”
His face is still inscrutable. “I recognized you the second I saw you. What brings you here? On the opposite side of the country? Are you from California?”
“No. I came for the auditions.” It’s not a complete lie. The audition is the main reason we stayed, aside from running out of money.
Nash doesn’t question it. After all, the contestants came from all over the country. We even have a couple of Canadian girls in our midst.
“What about you? Is your injury better? I’m surprised to see you here. You were Hemlock Beach’s biggest star.”
Something passes in the green depths of Nash’s eyes. “Yeah, well, things change. I didn’t feel valued by my old coach. I needed a new challenge, and Coach Harrison offered me a spot here in Star Cove.”
Right. Nash is a senior. I remember how huge a deal it was when he got recruited into Hemlock Beach’s hockey program.
“I hope you like it better here in Star Cove.”
The tension in his jaw seems to ease at my words. That sexy, almost smile reappears on his lips. “I already like it much better here. Especially now that you might be cheering for me all season.”
Heat rises to my face, and I know I must be blushing. “If I get selected.” I swear I’m not flirting.
“You will.” Nash sounds as if he didn’t have one doubt in the world that I’ll make the cheerleading team. “I think Star Cove is going to be fun. Besides, the vibe on our old campus isn’t the bestright now. There was a murder. Something right out of a horror movie, didn’t you hear?”
He’s looking at me like he’s expecting me to know something about it.
My knee jerk reaction is to say I have no idea what he’s talking about. I open my mouth to speak, but the changing room door opens.
“Here you two are.” Macklin looks at me and Nash, a serious expression on his face. “Carole and Lexi are looking for you, Taryn. And we need to go back to the meeting room where we started this morning to begin discussing today’s performances.”
Nash nods to his teammate. “I’ll be right out. Taryn, do you have anything to wear? So I can get my blazer back?”
“Oh, shit. Yeah, of course. I can change back into my street clothes. Don’t turn around.”
I walk to my duffel bag behind them and make quick work of taking off Talia’s top and removing Nash’s blazer.
I grab my old hoodie and put it on, pulling the zipper all the way up to my neck.
“Here you go, Nash. Thanks for coming to the rescue. At least I didn’t ruin your blazer. I feel bad about damaging the top Talia let me borrow for today’s performance. I’ll see if I can find my sewing kit and repair it before giving it back to her. Gen was right to be careful with this button.”
Nash’s green eyes are intense when he looks at me. The smile of a few moments ago is a distant memory. “Any time, Taryn. I hope to see you around.”
His fingers brush against mine when he takes his blazer from my hands, and a zing of crazy tingles spreads all over my arm.
“Mack, let’s go,” Nash says, carrying the blazer over his muscular forearm rather than putting it on.
“I’ll be right behind you.” Macklin says. “There’s something I want to ask Taryn about her performance.”
Nash seems curious, hesitant to leave the room. “Fine. Don’t be too long or we’ll be here all night.” He says after a few seconds, shaking his head and closing the door behind him.
Macklin looks at me for a long moment as if he were trying to choose his next words.
The Cove Knights’ right winger is a handsome guy. Over six feet tall, light brown hair that turns strawberry blond when the light hits it a certain way, and mesmerizing dark blue eyes.
“I don’t know how to say this,” Macklin begins. “We don’t even know each other, and you’re going to think I’m fucking crazy.”
