Page 29 of Daring the Hockey Player

"What girl?" Kyler glances at me, grabbing a seat beside me on another leg press machine. His gaze tightens as he studies me.

Does he suspect that it might be Amber?

She was at the game, and he definitely saw her there, thanks to my dumb ass pointing her out.

"It was nothing. I made sure that she got a cab home," I say, which is, in part, the truth. I did get her a cab. I just brought Amber back to my place. Nothing happened, but that's not open for discussion.

Owen doesn’t elaborate. Perhaps he senses the tension. I certainly feel it brewing. I'm not looking forward to drills on the ice because I have a feeling Kyler will come after me, and he doesn't even know that I shared a bed with Amber.

But I think he suspects it's her.

The prank call probably tipped him off, or maybe it was when I answered her phone at the bar.

I could just be paranoid. Yes, I'm hoping that's all it is because the way he's looking at me, glaring, tells me that my brother knows I have the hots for Amber Ryan.

SEVEN

AMBER

It's Saturday,which means I have the day off from school, but I do have to work the lunch shift at the Mad Tea House. Saturdays are always busy, but I let my boss know that I can't work a minute past six. Which barely gives me enough time to get ready and drive to visit my sister at her fiancé's place. I usually work from noon to five, but if Samantha doesn't show, I'd be required to cover her shift.

I had to look up the subway route to his place, which consists of changing trains a few times, and I'm hoping I make it by seven, assuming the trains are on time, which isn't a guarantee.

It's half-past three, and Jasper texts me back. I wasn't sure that I'd hear from him before tonight, especially after this morning.

I hurry to the bathroom for a quick break, and while I'm in there, I glance at the message from Jasper.

Do you want me to pick you up from your apartment?

We're not dating. Why is he offering to drive me to Kyler's?

I'm not sure that's a good idea. I'm at work right now. Can't talk.

The text that I sent him had been a simplethanks for looking out for me last night.It wasn't intimate or romantic. I tried to keep it platonic because, while I like him, jumping into bed with a guy while drunk isn't what I do.

I don't want Jasper to think that's who I am because it is the furthest from the truth as you can get.

Are you going to take three trains and make it on time tonight if you're at work?

I swear it's like he can read my mind, which I know is nonsense, but still. I sigh and text him back.

Probably not. I get off at six.

I wince at my response. Hopefully, he doesn't take that to mean anything other than I'm off work at six. But I already sent the text. It's too late to turn back now.

Text me your address. I'll be there 6:30. It'll be close, but we'll make it on time.

I send a quick text to Jasper with my address and wash my hands before heading out of the bathroom.

The afternoon is busy, and Saturdays are always swamped. Charlotte comes in to order her usual Mango Jasmine Green Tea.

If my boss wasn't helping the counter, I'd offer Charlotte her drink for free, but I can't with Maggie on shift today.

"How was your night?" Charlotte asks with a smile.

"I should be asking you that," I say, tilting my head at her while I ring up her drink. "You ditched me at Blue Line."

"You're welcome," Charlotte says with a wink. "I want details later. Are you free tonight?"