Page 10 of Stay (Stay #1)

He shifts his stance. “For one, you’re supposed to stay out of sight.

You know, hide in the bushes, peek around corners, wear disguises, follow discreetly from a distance.

That kind of thing. Maybe we can get together later and I can give you a stalker one-oh-one crash course.

Stalking for dummies or something like that. Totally free of charge, of course.”

Dimples.

Again with those damn dimples.

If he’s trying to wear me down, those dimples are doing an excellent job. He must realize it because he flashes them at me every chance he gets.

I blink, attempting to shake myself free of the thick fog that always seems to descend when he’s near. “No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary. You’ve given me quite enough to go on already. ”

He steps a bit closer, invading my space. My heart stutters at his nearness.

“I don’t want to brag or anything but I’m one of the best.”

“Good to know.” I point to an area about twenty feet away. “I’ll just go stand over there for the time being.”

His gaze stays focused on mine as he changes the subject. “Did you enjoy the game?”

That’s the moment it hits me like a ton of bricks.

“Oh,” I gasp in surprise, “you were out there!” I shake my head, feeling like an idiot. I mean, duh…of course, he was out there. His hair is all shiny and damp. And he smells amazing.

All masculine and…

I shutdown that line of thinking. I’m supposed to be distancing myself from him, not trying to inhale him.

Unaware of the dangerous thoughts running through my head, he winks. “See, you’re better at this stalker-thing than you give yourself credit for.”

My eyes widen as I shake my head. The last thing I need is for him to think I’m into him.

“I didn’t come here to see you,” I blurt, pointing to Brooklyn who is still wrapped around number fifty-five like a python. “That’s my roommate. I came with her.” My cheeks heat as I make one last ditch effort to convince him of my innocence. “I didn’t even know you played hockey.”

His brows rise as he barks out a laugh. “Wow. All right, I got it. You didn’t come here to watch me play tonight. You’re not interested, and you barely know I breathe. FYI—my ego has been completely annihilated.”

Even though the last part is highly doubtful, I close my eyes, imagining my face going up in flames.

“You know what I mean,” I mutter.

Almost gently, he knocks his broad shoulder into my narrower one before saying softly, “I’m just giving you crap, Cassidy. Calm down.”

Sheesh…if only I could .

I open my eyes and glare. “You’re such a jerk.” The truth of the matter is that he isn’t…

With a grin, he shakes his head. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.” Unable to help myself, I chuckle before giving him a considering look. My mind rewinds to the game as I assess him. “You’re number five. Defense. Two goals and two assists. And your last goal was really sweet. Right in the five-hole.”

He gapes at me for a solid minute. I’m seconds away from waving a hand in front of his face when he drops to his knees.

His gaze holds mine as he says solemnly, “It would truly be an honor if you would consider stalking me.”

The edges of my lips tremble. If I’m not careful, this guy will be my complete undoing. At the moment, I just want him off his knees. His antics are drawing too much attention from his teammates. Even Brooklyn is staring at us with interest. And that, I don’t need.

“Get up and I’ll give it some thought.”

Cole pops easily to his feet before grabbing my hand. Part of me wants to yank it away, but a bigger part wants to leave it safely secured within his larger one.

“You know hockey.” There’s a fair amount of surprise riddled throughout his voice.

“Die-hard fan.”

It’s not technically a lie.

Although it isn’t precisely the truth either. It does, however, seem like the easiest way to explain my knowledge without…well, actually explaining it.

“Let me get this straight, you know about muscle cars, hockey, and are pretty smart because you took college level calculus in high school.”

I blink. “Is there a question wrapped up somewhere in there?”

He smiles. “I guess not. You’re smart, beautiful, and know about cars and hockey. If I’m lucky, you’ll start stalking me.”

Breaking eye contact, I shake my head. “I’m not those things.” Sooner or later, he’ll realize the mistake he’s made, and then disappointment will set in. My happiness dims as those thoughts take root inside me.

His fingers slip under my chin before lifting it until I have no other choice but to meet his eyes. His gaze locks on mine, holding it captive. My heart picks up speed, making me wish I could be the girl he thinks I am.

“Yeah, you are. And I get the feeling I’ve only just begun to scratch beneath the surface.”

Those quietly spoken words have me jerking out of the trance that had fallen over me. The last thing I need is for Cole to scratch beneath the surface. I don’t want him delving any deeper into who I am or getting to know the real me.

Half the time, I don’t even want to know the real me.

Not anymore.

I glance away before tugging my hand free and scrambling back in retreat. He silently studies me like I’m a puzzle that needs solving.

I don’t like it.

And I certainly don’t like the way it makes me feel.

I need to go. I can’t do this.

My gaze darts to Brooklyn. She’ll be fine on her own. Hell, her legs are still wrapped around…damn, I can’t remember what his name is. Whoever he is, he’ll take good care of her. He’ll make sure she gets back to the dorms. Or, at the very least, he’ll make sure she goes home with him.

“You ready to go, Cass?” Brooklyn—who is finally standing on her own two feet— gives me a curious stare as she loops her arm through number fifty-five’s. “I’m going to catch a ride with Austin.” Her gaze shifts speculatively to Cole before she smirks. “Do you want to ride with us or do you want?—”

I shake my head. At this point, all I want is to head back to the safety of the dorms. Back to where my heart doesn’t feel like it’s going to jackhammer right out of my chest.

Cole waves them off as everyone splinters apart, leaving the arena. “Don’t worry about Cassidy, I’ll make sure she gets there.”

Nerves spark along my skin as I spin toward him. “But I don’t want to go to the bar,” I whisper. Thick tendrils of anxiety are already wrapping themselves around me. “I’m going to head home.” I need to get out of here before I lose my shit and embarrass myself.

“Okay,” he says easily, “I’ll take you home.” He doesn’t attempt to talk me out of my decision, and for some reason, that only makes matters worse. I don’t want Cole to give me a ride home. I don’t want to spend any more time with him.

I’m starting to like him.

Too much.

I realize that Dr. Thompson is right. I’m not ready for this.

I almost laugh. I’m nowhere near ready for this. Look at me, I’m a complete mess. Even if he doesn’t see it yet…I am.

He reaches up, his hand settling under my chin before tipping it so he can study my eyes. My muscles stiffen at the contact.

My throat works as I try to tamp down my rising anxiety.

Already my body is humming with nerves. My chest feels as if someone is crushing it in their fist. Needing to block out my surroundings, I screw my eyes tightly shut and inhale an unsteady breath through my nose before exhaling slowly from my mouth.

I keep this up until the vise squeezing my chest slowly loosens and I can breathe again.

When I finally open my eyes again, I realize the lights in the arena have dimmed and we’re standing alone in the lobby.

The sound of our combined breathing echoes off the cement walls.

My face flames with hot licks of embarrassment.

His hand still grips my chin as his gaze remains locked on mine.

He breaks the physical connection between us by taking a step in retreat.

God, I am such a freak.

Even worse than that?

Cole has to realize it by now. Just look at me…I’m a fucking mess. I want to die of humiliation as I stand ramrod straight in the empty lobby. Well, I certainly won’t have to worry about him flirting with me anymore. Maybe that’s for the best.

What am I saying?

Of course, it is .

“Are you ready to go?” His voice is soft, which only makes me feel like more of loser. Why does he have to be so damn nice?

“Yeah.” I need to get out of here before I completely fall apart.

“Come on.” This time, he’s careful not to touch me.

I have no idea what is going through his brain, but I’m relieved he doesn’t try to hold my hand or throw an arm casually around my shoulders. And I’m grateful he doesn’t probe me with questions, because it’s doubtful I’d be able to answer them.

“I’ll take you home now.”

I nod as we leave the darkened arena behind us.

The parking lot is deserted as we walk in silence to his car.

He opens the door for me before leaning over and sliding the seatbelt carefully across my chest. After he snaps it firmly in place, he remains hunkered on the pavement next to me so that we’re eye level.

His gaze searches mine in the darkness, as if he’s somehow able to sift through the thoughts I’m not strong enough to give voice to.

After what feels like an eternity, he whispers, “I won’t hurt you, Cassidy.”

Even though his words have something desperate twisting inside my chest, I say, “I’m sorry, I just can’t.”

He inhales a steady breath, filling his lungs completely, before exhaling it back into the atmosphere. Instead of arguing, he closes the door and walks around to the driver’s side before sliding in beside me. The ten-minute drive to the dorms is made in excruciating silence.