“Yeah, Gen doesn’t need the money. What she wants from Mack is the one thing her daddy alone can’t give her. Stardom.”
Taryn considers my words. “That makes a lot of sense. Look, if she loved him, I wouldn’t meddle, but it didn’t sound like she did.”
“No,” I bite out. “People like Gen only love the person they see reflected in the mirror.”
I lace my fingers with Taryn’s. “Hey, I was thinking something. Coach promised us a day off after tomorrow’s game. Only if we win, of course. The sponsors have organized that cocktail party with the League Commission members in attendance. Everyone will be partying all night. What do you think if you and I snuck out early and hung out in my room instead?”
“I would love that. We just need to make sure that we leave separately.”
Bolstered by her agreement, I nod. “I can’t wait to be able to take my time with you, pretty girl.”
“I see how it is.” She bats her lashes, but I know she’s teasing me. “You want to get me alone so you can get laid.”
“I do, because you’re fucking hot and I can’t keep my hands to myself when you’re around. But I hope you know I want a lot more than just sex from you.”
Taryn’s smile is like a ray of sunshine. “I know. I feel the same way about you. It’s this stupid no fraternization rule. Making us off-limits to each other is making us want to get close more than if it wasn’t forbidden.”
Maybe she’s right. But there is no scenario in which I wouldn’t want Taryn, forbidden or not. “Then it’s a date?”
“It’s a date.”
I open the changing room door and step back to let Taryn out. “Maybe I should wait a few minutes before I come out, just in case.” I whisper, craning my neck to see down the long hallway full of rehearsing studios and meeting rooms.
The words have just left my mouth when Taryn tenses in front of me.
Following her gaze, I see what, or I should say who, made her stop in her tracks.
Nash has just come out of the changing room where the hockey players got ready for the photo shoot.
The air is crackling with electricity as Nash’s gaze burns holes into me and Taryn.
For a long moment neither of us moves, but my hands curl into fists at my sides, ready to strike if he dares say one unkind thing to Taryn.
He looks furious; I can see a muscle jumping in his jaw from here.
“Nash.” Taryn’s soft voice breaks the spell we all seemed to be under.
Nash shakes his head before turning on his heel and walking away.
I move next to Taryn.
“Let’s go, pretty girl. It looks like we’re the last ones left here.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SEVERED
TARYN
Our performance before the game between Cove Knights and Portland Bobcats went without a hitch.
I was on the platform again, but this time Carole and Lexi put two lines of dancers performing on center ice.
Dancing on the relatively small platform with eleven other dancers was challenging, and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous; especially when it was time for the kickline. I was hyperaware that Gen was right behind me, but this time everything went to plan without anyone being kicked in the head.
I guess Gen draws a line at ruining a performance. It’s good to know.
I’ve never been much of a hockey fan before coming to Star Cove, but I must admit that the sport is growing on me. Maybe it’s that I’m dating two of the Cove Knights—and my crush on Nash is alive and well despite the distance he’s been keeping from me since that night in the laundry room.
