Page 65 of Puck Me Back to Life

That gets his attention. His eyes flick toward mine. “No.”

“Then what?”

He takes a slow drink from his beer. The silence stretches. I hate it. Mostly because I realize I care. If this were anyone else, I would've let it go. Instead I'm sitting here trying to figure out why Ash suddenly seems distant.

Finally he sets his glass down. His gaze remains fixed on the television.

I wait. Nothing.

A few minutes later, I slide out of the booth. “I'm going to the bathroom.”

Ash barely looks away from the screen. That somehow irritates me even more.

The hallway leading toward the restrooms is narrow and dimly lit. I shove my hands into my pockets as I walk. The knot of frustration follows me.

The bathroom is empty. Good.

I stare at my reflection while washing my hands. The silver hoops catch the overhead light. For a second, I barely recognize myself. The guy staring back looks younger somehow. Less exhausted. Less defeated.

The door opens behind me. I don't need to turn around. My pulse identifies him before my ears do.

I meet Ash's eyes in the mirror. “Following me now?”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “You wish.”

I turn toward him. “Then what do you want?”

Ash closes the door behind him. The movement is casual. Deliberate.

The irritation I've been carrying all night immediately returns. “You're being weird.”

“I'm not.”

“You are.”

Ash folds his arms. “No.”

“See? That. The one-word answers. The other day you were whining about me not paying attention to you and now you won't even look at me.”

His eyes narrow slightly. “I'm talking.”

“Barely.”

For a moment he just looks at me. Then he exhales slowly.

The annoyance I've been noticing all night finally cracks. “I didn't like watching you flirt with your neighbor.”

The statement catches me completely off guard. I blink. Then blink again.

“What?”

Ash's expression immediately hardens.

Not angry. Embarrassed. Which somehow makes this even better.

“Don't start.” A laugh escapes before I can stop it.

He's jealous. The giant defenseman standing in front of me is jealous of Angela. The thought is so ridiculous I start laughing again. Ash doesn't look amused.