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13

Holland

M y eyelids flutter open to find Willow’s face looming way too close for comfort.

“It’s about time you woke up,” she says, perched on the edge of the bed. “I’ve been waiting here for at least fifteen minutes. I was about to start poking you.”

“That wouldn’t have ended well for you,” I slur, trying to find my bearings. It feels like I’ve been hit by a bus. “You’re never going to believe the crazy dream I had.”

She lifts a brow. “Is it any crazier than reality? The one where you’re dating Bridger Sanderson?”

I’m sorry, did she just say dating Bridger Sanderson ?

I bolt upright and?—

What the fuck?

The navy walls of an unfamiliar room swim into focus. “Oh shit. Looks like it wasn’t a dream after all.” I flop back, dragging the pillow over my face as I contemplate the merits of suffocation.

“Oh no, girl. We need to talk about this.”

Oh God.

“Can we please do that after I’ve downed a gallon of coffee?” My voice comes out muffled.

“Absolutely not. I’ve had almost ten hours to let your news sink in, and I’m still in shock. You and Bridger? This isn’t something I saw coming.”

The denial sits on my tongue. But how can I explain without revealing everything? Including my job at the Envy Room?

“I know,” I groan, peeking out from under the pillow. “But, please, I need coffee first. Then I’ll answer all your questions.”

She eyes me suspiciously. “Fine. But just so you know, I’ve already started planning double dates for us.”

“You did not just say that.”

“Oh, I absolutely did.” A wicked smile lights up her face as she claps her hands. “I’m going to plan so many fun activities. The movies. Picnics. Roller-skating. Remember how much we used to love doing that?”

“I was right, this is a total nightmare.”

She laughs before rising to her feet. “Come on, otherwise we’re going to be late.”

“Late? What time is it?” I ask, dragging a hand over my face.

“Almost eight. The guys left for practice a couple hours ago.” She glances at the empty side of the bed. “Didn’t Bridger tell you?”

“Of course he did,” I mutter. “I must’ve forgotten.”

She waggles her brows. “Or maybe you were too busy doing other things last night.”

My mouth tumbles open before I swallow down my response and say the only thing I can. “Guilty.”

Her eyes widen as she shakes her head. “It’s like I’ve entered an alternate universe.”

“That makes two of us.” I toss off the covers and head for my bag in the corner where I pull out jeans and a sweater.

Willow’s eyes dart to the duffel. “That’s a lot of stuff. Kind of looks like you’re planning to stay for a while.”

“It’s just for a couple of days,” I say vaguely, shoving my feet into my Chucks.

Her expression says she doesn’t buy it, but thankfully, she refrains from hurtling more questions at me. “All right, I guess that’s a start, but you still owe me all the details. Don’t think I’m going to forget.”

My shoulders slump. “I know you won’t. Let’s get moving before we’re late.”

Twenty minutes later, we’re on campus. My pace quickens as the Roasted Bean comes into view.

Thank fuck.

Coffee.

Is there a size bigger than extra large?

Is a shot or two of caffeine a thing?

If not, there’s no guarantee I’ll make it through the next couple of hours with my sanity intact. Plus, I have a test to study for.

“So, tell me exactly when this all started. Because the last I heard?—”

Willow’s voice comes to an abrupt halt when the Jaws theme music cuts through the chilly morning air.

And here I didn’t think anything could make me smile.

Turns out I was wrong.

When she shoots a glare in my direction, my shoulders shake with laughter. “Come on, it’s funny!”

She huffs, keeping her eyes on me as she answers. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

I grin and point to the coffee shop. “I’m heading inside. I’ll catch you later.”

She covers the speaker with her hand. “We’re not done talking about this!”

I cup my fingers around my ear. “What? Sorry, can’t hear you. Bye!”

Before she can say anything else, I slip through the door. A little bell rings overhead, announcing my presence. Inside, the rich scent of coffee wraps around me like a comforting blanket, soothing my frayed edges.

It’s a splurge I don’t usually allow myself but today calls for reinforcements. I tossed and turned all night, unable to get comfortable. I couldn’t stop thinking about the guy next to me.

Normally, I make a cup before leaving the townhouse in the morning. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible, especially after sniffing what the guys had lying around the house.

Um, no, thanks.

I choose life.

I slip my phone from my pocket and pull up the campus chat app, wanting to read ColdAsIce17 ’s message from last night. After my life went sideways, there was no time to do it.

ColdAsIce17

Exhausting is an understatement. People love to slap a label on you and call it a day. They don’t care about the fine print.

Me

Ugh, yes. It’s like, “Sorry, I didn’t realize my life was an open book for everyone to scribble in.”

ColdAsIce17

Scribble? Nah, some people take a damn Sharpie to it.

A laugh bubbles out before I can stop it.

Me

Talking with you is so easy. How do you get it?

ColdAsIce17

I’m annoyingly perceptive. It’s one of my many talents.

Me

Oh, many talents? Modest much?

ColdAsIce17

Never. But seriously, if someone’s making your life harder, you don’t owe them anything. You’ve got enough to deal with without carrying their bullshit too.

My chest constricts at his words.

Me

Easier said than done.

ColdAsIce17

True. But you don’t have to carry it alone.

I stare at his message, the sincerity in those simple words making my throat tighten. He doesn’t even know who I am, yet somehow, he always knows exactly what I need to hear.

Me

Thanks. That means a lot.

ColdAsIce17

Anytime. And hey, if you want me to send a strongly worded text or an army of angry emojis, just say the word.

Me

LOL. Tempting. I’ll let you know.

ColdAsIce17

I’ll be here waiting.

For the first time all day, the tension in my shoulders loosens. Ice has no idea just how much his words steady me, but maybe that’s okay. Some things are better left unsaid. For now, anyway.

I step up to the counter, ready to place my order, when a familiar voice catches my attention.

“Just the person I was hoping to run into.”

I turn to find Garret, fresh from practice. His damp hair curls against his temples, and he’s wearing a hoodie with sweatpants. It seems to be the unofficial uniform of college hockey players everywhere.

“Hey.”

He steps closer, his expression troubled. “There’s a rumor going around that you’re seeing Sanderson.” His sharp gaze searches mine as disbelief fills his voice. “Tell me it’s not true.”

I force myself to nod, knowing there’s nothing else I can say. “Yeah, it is.”

Garret’s jaw tightens. “I don’t understand. I thought you couldn’t stand the guy.”

My tongue darts out to lick my dry lips. “It’s complicated. We were keeping things quiet.” I retreat a small step, needing a little bit of distance. “Just kind of feeling out the situation.”

“I was kind of hoping there might be something between us.”

I blink, thrown off by his admittance. We’ve had a few classes together over the years and have always been friendly, but it was never anything more than that. At least, not on my end.

Awkwardness descends as I shift. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I thought we were just friends.”

A mixture of hurt, disappointment, and anger swirls through his eyes. “Guess I was hoping we could be more,” he says quietly.

Before I can figure out how to respond, a strong arm slides around my waist and hauls me against a very solid chest.

“Hey, babe,” Bridger says, his voice hard.

When he rests his chin on my shoulder, I’m hit with the faint scent of sandalwood and cedar. My pulse skyrockets, and I don’t know if it’s because I want to slap him or because his proximity does funny things to my insides.

I’m really hoping it’s not the latter.

Garret’s eyes flash as his upper lip curls. “Sanderson.”

“Akeman,” Bridger acknowledges in a clipped tone, his grip tightening just enough to make my heart stutter. “Thanks for keeping my girl company.”

“Strange, she never mentioned you,” Garret says before glancing at me again. “Guess I’ll see you around, Holland.”

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. By the time I gather my thoughts, Garret’s gone, leaving me alone with Bridger and the warmth of his body pressed against my backside.

“You’re welcome,” Bridger says, his lips brushing against my ear in a way that’s way too intimate for my liking.

I whirl around and shove at his chest. “What the hell was that about?”

“That,” he says with an infuriating smirk, “was me saving you from Garret Akeman’s feeble attempts at flirting. The guy has zero game. You’re welcome.”

“You’re the last person I need to save me.”

He shrugs, clearly unbothered. “Could’ve fooled me. It looked like you were floundering.”

“Floundering?” I glare up at him, ignoring the way my heart races at his proximity. “You’re such a conceited?—”

It’s only when someone clears their throat that I bite back the rest of my comment.

We both turn toward the guy behind the counter.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he mutters. “What can I get for you?”

“She’ll take the McNichols Special.”

“Excuse me? Exactly when did you start making decisions for me?”

“Since we became a couple. Remember, muffin?”

A growl builds low and deep, vibrating through me. It’s so tempting to snap my teeth at him.

“Better make it extra grande,” Bridger adds with a wink. “Someone didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

Oh my God, he did not just say that!

“Coming right up. Name on the order?”

“Muffin.”

“Make sure you sleep with one eye open, Sanderson. Because I’m getting out of this relationship.” I drop my voice before narrowing my eyes. “One way or another.”

He flashes a grin. “You’re adorable when you’re all riled up.”

With that, he tosses a few bills on the counter and presses a kiss against the tip of my nose. “This one’s on me.”

I release a frustrated groan as he saunters toward the exit, his confidence seemingly unshaken. There is no damn way I’ll be able to put up with Bridger Sanderson for more than twenty-four hours straight.

Even that’s pushing it.