Page 15 of Tempting the Goalie (Riverside U #5)

CHAPTER TWELVE

L uc

I wake to a note left on the pillow beside me with Izzy’s handwriting on it.

Went for a jog and to the library. Got a lot of studying to do with finals coming up.

XOXO Izzy

I’m sure she has work to do and Izzy isn’t the type to procrastinate and put things off. I also have a feeling she didn’t want to face me this morning, after things got so intense last night, and I can’t say I blame her.

I get out of bed and put on a pair of boxers and sweatpants. I head down to the kitchen where some of my friends are already awake and sitting at the kitchen table. I mumble good morning and walk to the fridge and take out a jug of orange juice.

“Do not drink from that jug,” Aaron warns.

Damn, I was just about to. Instead, I walk over to the cabinet and take out a glass. I pour myself a hefty cup and chug it down. Then I focus on my friends.

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Aaron says.

“Yeah,” Macklin agrees.

“I need you all to just butt out,” I say.

“Ah, uh.” Aaron shakes his head. “We all confide in you about everything, but it seems you haven’t been as forthcoming.”

I blow out a breath and sigh. I take a seat at the kitchen table. These guys aren’t wrong. It’s time for me to open up a little, as Izzy likes to say. It seems I am helping her with her confidence and she’s helping me with my issues too.

“You’ve never brought a girl to your room,” Aaron notes.

“I’m aware,” I answer with snark.

“You know what I mean,” he says.

I dip my head, trying to get my bearings. I just had the best sex of my life with my childhood best friend. To say I’m utterly confused right now is an understatement.

“Izzy grew up living next door. We had a lot in common.” I shrug.

“So, you guys have been hooking up all this time?” Macklin asks.

“No,” I scoff. “That’s a recent development.”

“Explain,” Aaron encourages.

Aaron is going through a lot. He’s confided in me, and I’ve tried to give him the best advice and be supportive. It’s clear he wants to play that role for me now.

I run my fingers through my hair. “Izzy is my best friend. We were always close. We, uh, both lost our mothers around the same time.” I swallow hard since talking about Mom still isn’t easy for me.

“Sorry, bro,” Macklin says.

Aaron looks torn too since his mom has a chronic illness, and he doesn’t know how long she has.

“It was a lifetime ago, but Izzy is my person,” I explain.

“And you’re willing to risk your friendship for a hookup?” Macklin asks.

“That’s funny coming from you,” I say to him since the dude was crushing on his best friend’s little sister for like ever.

Macklin winces. “Good point. So, you really care about her.”

“Obviously, I do. Coach reamed my ass after those sex videos went viral. I need to fix my reputation, and Izzy is on board for it. We’re pretending to date.”

“How is it pretending, exactly? We all heard you two. . .” Aaron waggles his brows.

“Izzy needed my help with some things.” I clear my throat. “So we’re behaving like a couple and reaping the benefits.”

“You’re playing with fire. Trust me,” Macklin advises.

“I know you’re right, but I can’t stop. We agreed to date until after the Frozen Four.”

“Why the Frozen Four?” Aaron asks, confused.

“That way I stay out of trouble. The world sees me in a different light because, let’s be honest, Izzy is too good for me. She’s a straight A student. She’s a good girl.”

“So why aren’t you two really dating?” The question comes from Macklin.

“Because I have nothing to offer her. I have another year at Riverside, and then I don’t know if I’m going to some farm team, or if I have a chance at the NHL.”

“Sounds like a bogus answer,” Aaron says, and Macklin agrees with him.

Okay, they’ve called me out on my bullshit. “I’m not the marrying type. She wants a white picket fence, kids. The whole shebang.”

“And you wouldn’t settle down for the perfect girl?” Macklin asks.

“Izzy is the perfect girl. I’m crazy about her, but I’m also messed up. I won’t bring her down.”

“This is the most open you’ve ever been with us. I saw the emotion in your eyes when I first told you about my mom, but you kept quiet. Last night changed you and it was only one night with her,” Aaron notes, watching me carefully.

“I’m fully aware of that.” I rap my knuckles on the kitchen table. “But I don’t want to be psychoanalyzed. Izzy does enough of that. I told her I’d work on opening up more with you guys, but I need to take baby steps.”

“That’s fair. We’re here if you need us,” Aaron assures and Macklin agrees.

“Thanks, guys. Anyway, I’ve had enough of this mushiness. I’m going to hit the gym,” I say to them.

“I’ll join you,” Macklin says. “Give me five to get ready.”

I head up to my room to get ready. Staring at my bed reminds me of a naked Izzy lying there looking sexy as hell.

She promised she wouldn’t fall in love with me.

That our little arrangement would last three weeks, and it would be done, but it isn’t her I’m worried about.

Being inside her last night made me realize how deep my feelings for her truly run.

The last year I’d been out of control trying to find my next thrill.

Trying to feel anything at all. I realize I had things all wrong.

I was running from my feelings. Creating connections that were impersonal and didn’t matter.

All the while I had Izzy on the sidelines, always there with her kindness and sweet smile.

Always feeling like home. I should’ve known kissing her would be my downfall.

I just hope we can both walk away from this arrangement unscathed.