Page 8

Parrish

“This is bullshit,” I complained, skating laps around the rink, my limbs burning with fatigue and the rest of me begging for caffeine.

“Better than suicide drills,” Porter said, blades digging into the ice as he sped along with ease, his JetSpeed hockey stick sweeping back and forth in front of him as if he were dribbling a puck.

“Yeah, I was just up too late. Feel like hammered shit.”

“Hot date? Wait…weren’t you with Avalon?”

“Yeah, her roommate kicked her out last night. She’s crashing with me for the time being.

” For as long as she wanted actually, but I didn’t say so to him.

Avie and I had to discuss it first, and I needed to convince her to stay if she proved reluctant.

Last night with her in my arms…? Perfection.

The only thing better would have been the assurance she’d be there every night.

And sex. But that was a different thing altogether.

“That bitch did what?” Porter exclaimed. “Fuck. Can’t even say I’m surprised. Every time I turn around, she’s doing something psycho to Avie. Nash is going to lose his shit when he hears this.”

“That’s what Av said.”

“Maybe, she can wait until tomorrow to tell him, if she hasn’t already.”

“Why?”

He looked around. “I need a plus one for my parents’ anniversary party. Tonight, I’m asking him if he can pretend to be my date for Saturday evening.”

My brows raised, not that he could see it with my helmet on. “Good luck with that.”

“Gonna need it. But my cousins are rabid about matchmaking, so I’m desperate. But if he’s worried about Avalon, he’ll want to be taking care of her—”

“Say no more, I’ve got you,” I told him as the coach whistled and sent us all to the locker room.

“Thanks for taking care of Avie, too,” he said. “I know Nash is her best friend, but she’s gotten to be almost like a sister to me over the past couple years. I’ll throw gloves with anyone who screws with her.”

And I considered myself warned with that. Porter would never hit a woman, but he’d brawl with me if I hurt his friend. He needn’t worry. Hurting her was the last thing I intended.

“I feel like she’s the one,” I told him quietly as we headed for our lockers, each set up like a stall with narrow walls between them. “I just need her to feel it, too.”

“Dude,” he scoffed, dropping his stick into his cubby and yanking off his helmet. “You met her last night.”

“Not really. It’s a long story, but we’ve been talking since last year.”

He froze and turned wide eyes on me. “Wait…” he crowed. “Are you the anonymous pen pal? Oh my God! That’s priceless.”

“Not so anonymous. She knew who I was almost the whole time,” I confessed.

“She did not!” he exclaimed. “That little sneak. She had us believing she had no idea. Nash is gonna give her hell.”

I laughed. “Maybe, don’t tell him yet. Get your whole gay for me thing out of the way first.”

“Yeah, good plan,” he agreed.

Grabbing what I needed, I headed for the showers.

It was still pretty early, and I wanted to get back to my house before Avalon woke up.

I sped through my clean up, then raced toward home, stopping along the way for coffees and pastries, both sweet and savory varieties, from Midnight Java, the local coffee place.

I had no idea what she’d like, if she even drank coffee, but I crossed my fingers it was the right move.

Eventually, I’d know exactly what she liked. I’d learn everything about her.

Luck was with me, and Avalon was still sound asleep when I slipped into my room.

I wasn’t shocked. It had been a late night, and she’d had trouble sleeping with the party going on—my house mates and I would definitely be having a talk about that.

An unannounced party on a Tuesday night just wasn’t acceptable.

Several of us were on Rustin’s sports teams and actively training.

A problem for later. I didn’t want to bother with any of them right now. My only focus was on the woman sleeping in my bed.

I sat on the edge of the mattress.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” I said quietly, caressing her cheek with my curled fingers. Avalon jerked, tensing. Almost immediately, she seemed to remember where she was and realize it was me beside her. She relaxed and made a soft sound, burying her face in the pillows.

“Parrish,” she whispered, her voice rough with sleep.

“I brought coffee and food,” I offered in the same quiet tone. It seemed in keeping with the moment, an unfamiliar intimacy surrounding us. Unfamiliar but right.

She hummed, turning onto her back and opening her eyes. She peered sleepily over at me, smiling softly. “You didn’t have to.’

Leaning in, I brushed my lips over hers. “I wanted to. Sit up, and I’ll bring over the food. We can have a picnic on the bed.”

Scooting upright, she leaned against the headboard and tucked the blankets around herself. I handed her a coffee then grabbed my own and the two bags of food. I offered the latter to her, as well.

“I didn’t know what you’d want,” I explained.

“This is sweet of you,” she said.

“Can be sweeter,” I said. “Stick around.”

She bit her lip and glanced around my space. “I think I’d like to, but I can’t impose on—”

“Stop,” I interrupted. “You’re not imposing. You can stay as long as you want—to the end of the school year, even. If you can put up with me and with the guys, that is.”

“Won’t your roommates be mad at you having a girl move in?”

“Nah. Hell, Egland’s girlfriend stays over most nights. She might even live here, for all I know.” I shrugged. “I’ll introduce you to all of them later, so they’ll be cool when you come and go.”

She nodded and pulled out one of the egg, cheese and sausage pastries. “I love these.”

“Phew,” I breathed, exaggerating my relief. “I didn’t know what to get.”

“Well, you scored with this.”

“Can I score again and take you out tonight? On a planned date rather than an impromptu stop at a hole-in-the-wall diner.”

“Yes. I’d really like that. Parrish, thank you again for—”

I pressed my mouth to hers, stopping her words. “Don’t thank me. I like having you here.”

Avalon smiled shyly, tucking a long strand of her hair behind her ear. “I like being here.”

“Good. Now, tell me about your day. Hopefully, our schedules will mesh up.” Watching her, I took a sip of my coffee. We’d mesh up alright, even if I had to adjust my own day to make it happen.