Page 211 of On the Breakaway

I feel my cheeks heat, and even embarrassed, I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips.

“Oh my gosh, she’s blushing.” Harper’s eyes widen.

“I am not.” I throw the blanket back in their direction and scramble for the kitchen away from their prying eyes.

This morning, I’d been tucked into bed with Grayson, wishing we could stay there forever, but just like we knew it would, the real world came crashing in. His coach called him in to go over whatever punishment he’d face for his on-ice brawl.

I left Grayson’s house an hour ago. Logically, I know that he is probably still in the middle of dealing with the fallout, but that doesn’t make me any less anxious to know what the repercussions will be.

He’d gotten into that fight because of me, and while it was the last thing I wanted him to do, I feel at least partially responsible. Which is why, after driving to my place, I realized that as much as I didn’t want to face the music with my friends, I didn’t want to be alone even more.

Now, I’m here with my friends trailing behind me, preparing for a full-scale interrogation.

“Who’s blushing?” Sloane pops up from behind a tower of boxes wearing some crazy hat that I’m positive Wesley would never be caught dead in.

“Avery,” Harper and Wesley say at the same time.

I flip them off. “I am not. Also, what the hell is on your head?”

She snorts, toeing a box out of her way. “No clue. Found it in a closet.”

I turn to Wesley. “Why do you have-” I trail off, lip curling as I motion to it. “Whatever that is?”

She sighs. “Just give me my damn coffee.”

They all three step forward, taking the to-go cups out of the holder. A chorus of sighs rings out as they all take a sip.

“Damn, that’s good.” Sloane visibly relaxes against the counter.

I slide my phone out of my pocket, clicking it open and then locking it when I realize there are no messages waiting for me. Sliding it onto the counter face up, I glance back to find all three of them grinning.

“I hate all of you,” I mumble.

Harper chuckles, but Wes looks at me as if she’s trying to see right through me.

“Why’d you hide everything with Grayson?” She asks.

“I already told you–” I start.

“No,” she cuts in. “The real reason.”

“That is the real reason.”

“Aves.” Harper’s voice is in full teacher mode.

“What? It started out as nothing.”

“That’s never stopped you before. I’ve heard about every one-night stand or wild hookup. Even when you regretted them. So why was this different?”

“I haven’t been around long, but I even heard about the one-night stand, ‘best orgasm of your life’ guy.” Sloane takes a sip of her coffee.

I turn to her, nose scrunching in apology as she pieces it together.

She almost spits her coffee out. “No. God. I should have figured that out. You mean to tell me that was him? I’ve been lusting for an encounter of my own that mirrors the one you had with my family?”

“You’re not really related.” Wesley shrugs.

“Close enough.” She drags a hand down her face.