Fucking assholes.
Ten minutes later,I’m shoving my arms into a hoodie while Connor stares at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“What?” I snap.
“You showered in under ten minutes.”
“So?”
“You usually stand under hot water contemplating life for at least thirty.”
Ford nearly chokes laughing from across the room.
Connor points at me accusingly. “He’s in love.”
“I’m not in love.”
Jake looks up from untying his skates. “That sounded defensive.”
“It WAS defensive,” Cole calls from the showers.
I grab my bag and scowl at all of them. “I’m leaving.”
The entire locker room goes silent.
Connor blinks.
Ford slowly lowers the towel he’s using to dry his hair.
Jake looks genuinely concerned. “You’re voluntarily leaving before we eat?”
“That’s how you know it’s bad,” Cole says solemnly from the showers.
“I hate this team.”
Connor grins. “No, you don’t, sweetheart.”
I flip him off, too. Then I leave before they can say anything else.
Their confused yelling follows me down the hallway.
“WAIT—WHERE’S HE GOING?”
“HE’S LEAVING WITH HER!”
“HE DIDN’T EVEN STAY FOR POST-SKATE FOOD!”
“OH MY GOD, HE’S DOWN BAD!”
Heat burns the back of my neck as I shove through the arena doors.
And immediately stop.
Peyton stands near the entrance beside Harper and Allie, bundled in the oversized coat I bought her. My Avalanche hoodie peeks out beneath it while her cheeks glow pink from the cold.
The second she spots me, her entire face softens.
My chest loosens so fast it pisses me off.
