My eyes scan the faces of all the people that have already arrived. I spot Caleb on the stage that is typically set up here during events. I don’t know who enjoys attention more, Caleb or Lana, who is on the stage with him. She leads the dumbass Ice Crew.
There is nothing more annoying and pointless than the Ice Crew, but I appear to be the only one that believes that. It doesn’t take me long to spot the girl I ran into earlier standing at the other end of the stage with the rest of the crew. I ball my hands into fists at my side when I get a full sweep of her. The fuck is she wearing? I shouldn’t be shocked she’s on the Ice Crew with how she spoke to me, but I was a dick.
As pissed as I was about my run-in with her, when she started to run her mouth, I’d gotten hard as fuck. My reaction to her not only pissed me off but also left me on edge. There are still lingering effects. I need to stay away from her, but that’s not me. Now I can’t help but be curious about her.
“Has that always been the Ice Crew uniform?” I find myself asking.
“I know we’ve gotten close enough where it feels like we’ve known each other for years.” Grant’s hand comes down on my shoulder. I pull my attention away from the girl who’s holding too much of it to stare at his hand on me. “But it’s only been a few weeks, and this is my first year.”
“Are you done?”
“Sure.” He gives my shoulder a squeeze before dropping his hand. What is wrong with people today? The only time I want anyone touching me or me touching them is on the ice.
“That’s the normal uniform,” Eli says, coming to stand next to me. “Aren’t you supposed to be up there?” He nods to the stage. I don’t answer stupid questions.
Who would approve of this uniform? This is high school, not a brothel. I run my hand down my face because I’ve lostmy goddamn mind. Why the fuck is this bothering me all of a sudden? That was a rhetorical question that I don’t need an answer to. Not even from myself because I know the reason.
“You okay, man?” Grant asks under his breath to me.
“We’re not friends.”
“Sure we are.” The fucker winks at me.
“See if you’re saying that come tomorrow during practice,” I warn. Gonna lay his ass out when he least expects it to prove my point.
“Are you flirting with me, Luke? I mean, you’re not bad if you’re into the bad boy vibe, but I’m straight.” He won’t be anything straight here in a second by the time I’m done with him. “But I’m flattered, and I hope this won’t change our friendship.”
“Fuck off.” A small chuckle leaves me. He’s annoyingly funny, but I’m not trying to encourage it.
“I’m only teasing you. Go back to staring at the girl with the braid.”
“I wasn’t staring.”
“Of course you weren’t. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” It will be safe as hell if he’s six foot under. “Plus, I don’t blame you for it. She must be new here, but she’s smokin’.” I want to tell him to shut the fuck up and never to talk about her again. Not to think about her or even look at her for that matter, but I keep my mouth shut and ball my hands into fists instead once again. “Gonna break your jaw if you keep clenching it so tight.”
“All right.” I turn toward him. Fuck it. I’m not waiting for practice.
“I’m messing with you.” Grant holds his hands up, palms out. “Not my type.” I glance back to the girl. She’s everyone’s type.
Her long, dark, shiny braid falls over one shoulder. I have the strange urge to wrap it around my hand and smell it. I know shesmells sweet like vanilla but with a hint of spice to it. I can’t stop watching her and taking in all the details.
Those full lips and small nose are begging to be kissed. The fuck? Kiss the tip of her nose? I break noses. I have lost my mind, and I’m going to keep on losing it. The top she’s wearing is long-sleeved and goes up to the collarbone; the problem is, it ends right under her tits, which I know would be a perfect handful for me.
Then there’s that damn skirt. I don’t know if it’s short because that’s how it is or it’s those long legs of hers that go on forever. She tilts her head slightly as she talks to Paige, smiling. She appears so innocent, but I know that mouth of hers isn’t.
When I see Caleb spot her, I remember him running his mouth about banging all the new girls. “Breathe, dude; he’s not going to fuck her on stage.” Grant runs his fingers through his hair. “Right, shit, okay, it’s Caleb, so maybe.” I only got the sheriff off my ass hours ago.
“I’m two seconds from taking my aggression out on you,” I tell him.
“It’s starting.” Grant is unfazed by my threat, nodding toward the stage.
I don’t hear what the coach says. I’m watching her watch everyone else. She curiously takes people in, her eyes roaming across the crowd. I still wince when they make it to me. They instantly know: That soft smile she has on her dark pink lips evaporates, her eyes narrowing.Fuck you, asshole, she mouths.
If she thinks that glare or mouth of hers bothers me, she’s in for a reckoning. God knows I am.
Chapter Five
MADELINE
