Page 87 of Almost Ravaged

His eyes narrow, the almost black irises now indistinguishable from his pupils. “No.”

My heart sinks into my stomach. Tears instantly cloud my vision.

Before the rejection can fester, he nudges his nose against mine and brings his lips back to my ear. “Our first kiss isn’t going to be in front of an audience.”

Relief washes over me. Ty’s always been reserved, private. Of course he doesn’t want our first kiss to happen in front of my friends. Disappointed but not defeated, I search his face.

Brows knit, he brushes a thumb over the exposed skin of my back just above my waistband.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were cold?” He steps back, and in one quick move, he shucks off his hoodie.

Notes of musk, sweet vanilla, and bitter lime overwhelm my senses as he pulls the warm fabric over my head. I work my arms through the sleeves and pull my hair out of the hood. Then I gather up the opening at my neck and bring it to my nose, inhaling deeply.

Ty laughs. “You’re a fiend.”

“Only for your scent.” The words are out before my brain has processed them.

If he were anyone else, I might be embarrassed by that confession. But Ty knows me better than anyone.

He drapes an arm over my shoulders, pulling me close, and guides me toward the group. The group that is still very much focused on us.

“I am going to need this one back later,” he murmurs.

I snort. Not likely.

“I’m serious.” He jostles me, pulling me even closer. “You have what? Five, six of my hoodies in your possession these days?”

I shrug, as if I don’t keep count, when my collection has actually grown to eight. “I like to think of them as our children. You know, like we share custody?”

He grumbles, his words unintelligible, feigning annoyance. I grin up at him, and I keep grinning all the way across the clearing.

“So you and Tytus?” Cam keeps her voice low as she circles the picnic table where some of the others sit so she can pass me the vape.

I take a hit and inhale deeply, savoring the sweetness and the calm that instantly infiltrates my senses.

Ty wandered off, his hands in his pockets, moments ago. He won’t smoke, or do anything that could risk his eligibility, and he doesn’t really like being high anyway.

I cough as I exhale, then finally meet Cam’s curious gaze. A giggle escapes me, all but confirming her question.

“Ledges, baby!” Arjun runs past us, ripping off his shirt.

I snort as I watch him go. He’s so boisterous and rowdy, but there isn’t a person at the ice arena I don’t like.

Cam snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Sawyer. Focus.”

“Sorry.” I blink rapidly. “What was the question?”

We’re smoking a grape-flavored indica one of my coworkers brought back from Michigan. It’s strong and sticky in the very best way.

She breaks into a giant smile. “Are you and Tytus a thing? Dating? Hooking up? I want deets.”

Me and Tytus. I don’t even know where to begin.

“It’s… complicated. I think we will date. Eventually. Someday?” I cough again, and wave away the smoke. “But there’s a lot of history there.” A lot of shared trauma, too, though I focus on the parts of the story that are easier to explain. “We’ve been friends forever. And we’ve always had a connection. But it never goes anywhere. Or…”

Cam waggles her brows. “Or what?”

I heave a breath and lower my head. “Or it hasn’t gone anywhere in the past. But maybe tonight…”