Series: Torn and Bound Duet Series by K. Webster
Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
But with his absence brings the reality of my statement.
I thought we could talk. About the other night.
“Want something to drink?” Mia asks, her voice shaky.
“Since when do we do formal?” I grumble. I pull her over to me, hugging her. “Sorry for being a dick and avoiding you. I just… I don’t know what to think about what happened. Pretending it didn’t happen doesn’t make it go away.”
She stiffens in my arms, telling me everything I need to know.
She liked it.
Even after she messed around with Drew. Even after God knows what the fuck happened with Brayden.
What happened with us is plaguing her.
It’s plaguing me too.
She starts to pull away from our embrace, but I can’t let her go. There are a million things I want to say to her. To tell her it was confusing, but I can’t stop thinking about it. How I would try it again—without alcohol to blame—if I didn’t think it might further fracture our friendship. I’d like to tell her that seeing her with Brayden made me crazy fucking jealous, which makes me mad at myself.
I can’t tell her any of these things because my tongue won’t work.
“I’m sorry I pounced on you,” she murmurs, her breath hot through my T-shirt. “I didn’t mean to put you in that position.”
I close my eyes, remembering how spicy and sweet she tasted. How we desperately kissed as though we’d been starved for it. The way my dick was stone in my sweats. I’ve never once been turned on by a girl. Girls don’t do it for me. So why the fuck was I about to nut in my pants when I had my tongue down her throat?
“I don’t like this divide between us,” I rumble out, finally finding my voice again. “You’re my best friend. I can’t lose you.”
She tilts her head up, her brows furrowed. “I’m not going anywhere.”
My eyes, against their will, drift down to her lips. I have a burning desire to taste her again. Alcohol isn’t calling the shots here. No, my heart is.
“Me neither,” I murmur.
I press a kiss to her cheek, near her mouth, not able to understand the way my heart stammers in my chest. Before I do something stupid like stick my tongue down her throat again, I pull away before it’s too late.
Her hand touches where I’ve kissed her, making me stand a little straighter with pride. Brayden can pursue her all he wants, but at the end of the day she likes me. As complicated as that may be.
“Let’s go fuck with Drew,” I state, trying to chase away the weird vibe between us. “He’s going over some hockey footage on his laptop, prepping for the game tomorrow night. Want to go terrorize him with me?” I waggle my brows at her, grinning.
Seemingly relieved at my playfulness, she laughs. “Duh. Let me get changed into something more comfortable and then we can go.”
Before she walks away, I grab her hand, squeezing it.
“We’re going to be okay,” I assure her.
“I know.”
With those words, she pulls away, tugging at my heart in the process.
A college hockey game reminds me of a college swim meet. And because of that, I’m immediately on edge. People are everywhere. Seems like the whole damn school is here to cheer on our hockey players. Mia senses my distress and loops her arm with mine, resting her head against my shoulder as we walk to the area Drew told us to go to.
Rooming with the coach has perks, including free tickets to get into the game. We make our way over to the area he had someone reserve for us and sit down. I’m not eager to watch Brayden play, but Drew kind of sold me on the whole “hot hockey dudes fighting on the ice” spiel he gave us.
A few girls nearby squeal when some of the players spill out onto the ice, all thick with their heavy gear on. I know which one Brayden is right away because he’s the only one who skates like an asshole.
One hundred percent swagger, confidence, and overall arrogance.
The other guys may as well be shadows and he knows it too.
Drew makes it into the box with some of the other players, his head craned to look our way. When he sees us, he waves. His movement alerts Brayden to us. While the other guys warm up, he skates right up to the glass where we’re sitting.
“Date, Mia, baby,” he calls out, grinning like the guy who already got the girl. “Tonight.”
Just to piss him off, I sling an arm over Mia’s shoulders. “Mia has plans.”
She elbows me, making me grunt, but doesn’t wiggle out of my hold. Brayden seems amused by my blatant challenge.
“All the goals tonight are for you, beautiful,” he says to her.
“Can you get your ass kicked a few times for me?” I ask.