Page 92 of With the Assist

“It’s good to see you out having fun with your friends and supporting your boyfriend.”

“Yeah, it’s been really good for me.” I nod, eyes darting back toward the entrance I’m desperate to escape to. “Well, I should get back in there, don’t want to miss Nathan’s official entrance.”

“Of course, see you at practice.” She nods, brushing past me with her husband trailing behind.

I move toward the entrance, taking the steps one at a time. It’s ironic that everyone says this is all good for me. If only Coach knew that the ‘life’ she wanted me to have is making me a spiraling, stressed-out mess. What a fucking joke. If anything, this entire thing is complicating my life far more than I can handle.

“You were gone for a while.” Avery eyes me, standing up so I can squeeze by her.

“Ran into Coach.” I sigh as I take my seat.

“I swear she might be stalking you or something.”

“Apparently, she’s a big Blades fan.” I smile, picturing how ridiculous she looked with her foam finger and face paint. “I need to cancel tonight.”

Both of their heads snap to me, confusion and concern flitting across their faces.

Harper speaks first. “Why? Don’t you need to convince everyone you’re dating?”

Avery’s face shifts from concern to a knowing smile. “You fooled around, didn’t you?”

Damn it.

“What? No way, she would’ve told us.” Harper looks between us, before seeing the guilt on my face and jabbing her finger at me. “You totally did, and you didn’t tell us? Spill it.”

“It doesn’t mean anything. We both figured if we’re going to pretend to date, we may as well reap some of the benefits.” I shrug, clicking my tongue against my teeth. “It’s just until we fake break up after the party.”

“Oh my god.” Avery’s eyes widen, like a shark circling its prey. “How good was the sex? I bet it was so good. He looks like the kind of guy who would bang you into oblivion. You know?”

“Shut up.” I slap her arm, but she smiles wider. The idea of telling them everything has the pressure in my chest dissipating, so I do. “We didn’t have sex. I mean, it was heading there, but then a pizza arrived after he’d gotten me off. It kind of killed the vibe.”

“So, he got you off, then you left right away?” Harper scrunches her eyebrows.

“Well, no. We ate some pizza and watched the Brazil game. Then I left.” They exchange a look.

“He didn’t get anybenefitsfor himself? He got you off and gave you pizza. You watched soccer, then you left. He didn’t even ask if you’d help him out?”

“No,” I admit sheepishly. I felt a little bad about my lack of reciprocation, but tonight, I had planned to more than make up for it.

“He’s down so bad.” Harper laughs in delight, looking toward the ice to search for him.

“No,” I argue quickly. “It’s not like that.”

We’re both looking for a little fun. No strings. Right?

Avery quirks her eyebrow. “Post orgasm pizza and couch cuddling while watching soccer sounds a little more than casual.”

This. This is exactly what I’m worried about. I’m rusty with this kind of thing and too close to this to know what the hell is happening.

The fans in front of us start screaming and gathering around the glass.

“No strings, huh?” Avery smirks, gaze shifting to the chaos in front of us.

I follow her gaze, seeing Nathan, helmet under one arm, standing at the glass, looking up at me. My heart stumbles in the way that is becoming familiar but no less terrifying. He motions for me to come down.

I shake my head no, but he’s persistent. He leans against the boards casually, prepared to hold up warm-ups and the game if I don’t go to him. It’s a shame that this arrogance is part of what makes him so damn attractive. My body moves without my permission because apparently, I can’t say no to him. At least not when he looks like that.

Once I get close enough, I can see that he hasn’t shaved in a couple of days, instead letting his stubble cast a shadow on his face. He mouths,Hi,but I can’t hear him over the swarm of fans around us. They’ve given us some space, but still form a tight semi-circle behind me.