Page 8 of Your Biggest Downfall (Ravens Hockey #3)

nova

Everyone at this party was drunk, and I only recognized the guys from the team.

Luna waved me off after shoving me in Austin’s direction. “I’m going to size up the competition. See who gets to play with me tonight.” She laughed as she moved into the room.

I hesitated because she didn’t know anyone here, but in typical Luna fashion, she was all over a handful of defensemen in mere seconds.

“What’re you drinking?” Austin asked, pulling my attention back to him.

He was so fucking irresistible it hurt. He looked a bit more mysterious and cooler than when I ran into him earlier. His typically curly blonde hair was gelled back, and his blue eyes were icy and glazed over.

I shook my head. “I don’t typically drink.”

Austin took a step closer, and I could feel the heat radiating between us. There was something about Austin that made me terribly attracted to him. We had this crazy chemistry, and as he invaded my space, I wanted his hands all over me.

“Austin?”

I walked into the hotel Austin told me he’d be at. He was curled up by the large fireplace in the lobby.

“I could’ve met you in your room.” I sat next to him on the oversized brown leather chair.

Even though it was nearing spring, we were in a cold snap, and I was grateful for the warmth of the fireplace.

“Hey, Nova,” he said, voice low and rough as he looked up from his phone, his gaze lingering on me with a heat that made my pulse quicken.

His eyes were red as though he’d been crying.

“Couldn’t stop pacing... thought a drink might help.” He nodded toward the glass on the table, but his focus remained on me, the air between us growing heavier.

We’d always been surrounded by other people on the team until today. Sure, Austin and I flirted and hung out, but it was always during working hours... until he called me an hour ago crying.

“What happened?” I asked as I turned so I was facing him. “You called in a panic... I was worried.”

He shook his head. “You shouldn’t worry about me, Nova. No one should have to worry about me.”

“Are you drunk?” I asked, because he wasn’t making any sense right now.

He shrugged. “Kinda. It feels good to numb the pain.”

Austin exhaled, his shoulders slumping as he looked away. “But no, I’m not drunk,” he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Not enough to forget what I saw, anyway.”

I waited, giving him space to say what he needed to.

He shifted uncomfortably, staring down at his hands. “I walked in on my mom... and Ledger,” he muttered, his voice cracking. “The team captain. Hooking up.”

Shock flooded through me, and before I could think, I reached out, gently resting my hand on his arm. “Austin, I’m so sorry,” I whispered, feeling the pain lacing his words.

He nodded, biting his lip. “She didn’t even try to hide it. I don’t want to be anywhere near her right now, so I’m staying here. But...” He hesitated, eyes flicking over to meet mine. “I don’t want to be alone either.”

There was a rawness in his gaze I hadn’t seen before, a vulnerability that tugged at me, pulling me closer to him. I could feel the tension between us, thickening with each second of silence.

His voice softened. “Would you . . . would you stay? I . . . I just need a friend.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“There are two beds in the suite I’m staying in—two separate rooms, in fact. Nothing like that.”

Two beds. A safe enough distance. I would do this for Luna in a heartbeat, so why wouldn’t I stay for Austin? He meant as much to me as Luna did.

I swallowed, my pulse thrumming in my ears. “Of course, Austin. I’ll stay,” I whispered, meaning every word.

The fire crackled, casting a warm glow over the room, and in the dim light, his eyes looked darker, more intense.

I shivered as he reached out, his fingers grazing a stray strand of hair near my cheek.

He tucked it behind my ear, his hand lingering, his thumb brushing my skin.

His eyes moved over my face slowly, taking in every detail, and I felt like he was seeing all of me—everything I tried to hide.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

He let his fingers drift down my arm, tracing the edges of my tattoos with a tenderness that stole my breath. “These,” he murmured, his voice like a low rumble, “I love these. They’re you... They’re beautiful.”

His fingertips traced each line, each curve, reverent and slow, leaving a trail of tingling warmth in their wake. His gaze followed his touch, and when he looked back at me, there was a softness in his eyes that left me feeling exposed.

Before I could think, he pulled me closer, tucking me into his side, his arm snug around my shoulders, and I melted into him as his warmth seeped into me.

His fingers moved absentmindedly along my arm, tracing light patterns, and each touch sent a shudder down my spine.

His other hand brushed the back of my neck, his thumb grazing the sensitive skin there, and my breath hitched.

He leaned in, his mouth so close to my ear that I could feel his breath, warm and inviting.

“You know,” he whispered, his lips grazing the edge of my jaw, “there’s about a hundred ways I want to kiss you right now.

” His voice was a rough, teasing murmur.

“But I don’t think I’d be able to stop there. ”

His lips were so close, his eyes locked on mine with a quiet intensity that seemed to fill the room. But as my heart pounded with anticipation, reality came crashing back in.

I swallowed, forcing myself to pull away, placing a hand on his chest to create space. “Austin... we can’t kiss,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He raised his brows slightly, and a smirk tugged at his lips as he let out a low chuckle. “Nova girl,” he murmured, a teasing glint in his eyes. “I’m just flirting with you. You don’t need to worry.”

I laughed softly, though he could probably hear the hint of nerves in it. “I’m not supposed to get involved with players romantically,” I reminded him, trying to keep my voice steady.

His eyes softened as he looked away, nodding. “Yeah,” he said, almost to himself. “I know.”

There was a beat of silence, the tension lingering like smoke in the air.

He cleared his throat, his tone shifting. “Wanna go watch a movie?” he asked, flashing me a crooked smile, and I nodded, more than ready to step away from the charged moment between us.

“Come on, Nova,” he said teasingly, nudging me with his elbow as we made our way upstairs. “You can turn me down again up there.”

I laughed, swatting his arm, feeling the tension between us lighten, replaced with something warmer, more familiar.

We climbed the stairs, and before I could think, he pulled me close, tucking me into his side, his arm draped over my shoulders. I sank into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart under my cheek.

This is how I’d hang out with Luna... right?

His gaze locked onto mine, and the air between us crackled with tension. I could barely breathe as he moved even closer, his body almost brushing against mine. My heart raced, and I was acutely aware of every inch of him, every subtle movement.

“Have a drink with me. Loosen up,” he insisted.

My body was nodding in agreement before I could voice my insistence that I didn’t need anything, and sure enough, he’d poured me a shot, pouring another for himself.

“Open your mouth wide. Suck it down and then bite the lime,” he said, coaching me.

God, if this was how he acted with a fucking shot...

“Okay.” I nodded and then lifted the shot to my lips.

“Wait.” He reached out, his fingers grazing my arm, making the hairs on my arm stand up. “You have to look me in the eye when you take a shot.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. I don’t make the rules.” The corners of his lips twisted into a grin.

“Fine,” I huffed.

I stared at him, feeling the heat from the drink go down as I kept my eyes locked on his. He did the same, his gaze intense and unwavering, the tension between us undeniable.

His eyes burned into me, and my skin tingled. The anticipation was electric, and every second felt charged with excitement.

“The lime,” he reminded me as the burning pain made its way down my throat.

I grabbed the lime from the countertop and shoved it in my mouth, biting down as he told me to. The tangy citrus burst on my tongue, cutting through the harshness of the alcohol.

He watched me, his eyes darkening with something primal, something that made my pulse quicken. His fingers still rested lightly on my arm, the touch both gentle and possessive. Heat radiated from his body, and the scent of him—chamomile tea and something woodsy—filled my senses.

“That’s it,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble that sent a thrill through me. “You did good.”

“Thanks,” I managed to say, my voice sounding breathless even to my own ears.

He leaned in closer, his face inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. “You’re a quick learner. I like that.”

I swallowed hard, every nerve ending in my body on high alert. Is this how alcohol worked? All of a sudden I was loose and excited, my tongue somehow not understanding the red flags my brain was trying to signal to it. “What else can you teach me?”

His grin widened, and his eyes glinted with a wicked light. “Oh, I have a few ideas.”

The tension was almost unbearable, every part of me hyperaware of his subtle movements and quiet breaths. It pulled me back to last year, that night on the hotel couch when Austin almost kissed me.

The spark between us was undeniable, but I reminded myself of the pact we’d made.

Friends. That’s what we were supposed to be.

I pushed the thought away, brushing off his flirting as nothing more than part of the friendship we’d always had—like how Luna could be crass with me sometimes.

I convinced myself this was all in my head.

“I cannot fucking believe this is social media Nova.” Jeremy cut through my thoughts, and I welcomed the distraction.

“In the flesh,” I responded.