Page 31 of Ruthless Blade

It shouldn’t matter because if I remembered correctly, Kayden mentioned his dad getting him an apartment. So he was probably already moved in there. Then his texts came to memory, about him asking if I was going. Surely, I could avoid him right?

I finished up and put my stuff away. “What’s with you and Dylan?”

She pursed her lips, as if she was afraid to tell me. She started rocking back and forth on her heels. “I like him...”

My eyebrows raised. That wasn’t normal for her. She usually liked one night stands. Has my girl finally fallen for someone?

“Does he know you like him?”

She shrugged, leading me out to the kitchen/living room area. “I don’t know. He’s a lot quieter than the other members on the hockey team, but he’s also a big flirt. He could be flirting with me looking for another hookup and nothing more.”

I took two bottles of water from the fridge and tossed one to her. “Well, you never know unless you try. I will say this, if you leave me by myself at this party, I’m unfriending you.”

She laughed, “Trust me, I don’t plan on going anywhere without you.”

By the time we got to the hockey house, there were cars parked everywhere. On the street, lawn, driveway. There were people out front and it sounded like there were even more out back. There was music playing loudly, but they wouldn’t get in trouble; they were the hockey team. No one cared how loud their parties were because most people were at those parties, other athletes included.

Hazel grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs and into the house. The heat inside was humid and gross. It smelled like cheap beer, body heat and no deodorant.

I gagged. Yuck.

The bass was so loud it shook the fillings in my teeth, and the slight headache I’d had earlier was starting to come back.

Why did I let her convince me to come? This was NOT my thing.

I dug my heels into the hardwood floor, my chest tightening. I really don’t want to be here. I hated parties, they were incredibly uncomfortable and for someone who was an introvert, this never ended well. I need to get out of here.

Hazel’s grip on my hand was super tight, making it so I couldn’t go anywhere. Before I could pull away, two massive guys in tracksuits spotted us from the edge of the living room crowd. Instead of blocking us, their faces lit up with giant smiles.

“Hey! You made it. Kayden is in the kitchen, I’m sure he’ll be happy to know his girl is here.” One of the guys said, and the other one grinned.

His girl?

I froze. I’m not his anything. But I kinda am, weren’t I.

My face heated, but one of them grabbed my hand, steadily pulling me and Hazel through the crowd of sweaty bodies.

I drug my heels behind them, trying to stay in one place. I did not want to see him. Standing near the island was the jackass himself. He was entirely in his element until I noticed the tension bleeding into his shoulders.

Dylan was leaning against the counter next to him, holding a red cup. They were talking about hockey, and how scouts had come to practice.

"Please, Kayden wouldn't know what to do in that situation if it hit him in the face. We all saw how he folded under pressure because his daddy showed up." A sharp, venomous voice cut through the kitchen noise.

“Shut your mouth, Garcia.” Dylan said, sticking up for his best friend. Kayden didn’t say a word, but his jaw ticked. That was anything but good.

Standing right next to Garcia was a girl who was twirling a strand of blonde hair, her eyes scanning him with a desperate, possessive look. My gaze narrowed. Who the hell was she?

Hazel leaned over, whispering in my ear. “That’s Ivy. Kayden’s ex plaything.” It amazed me how she knew everything about everyone on campus. She was a social butterfly, but even she kept to herself at times.

I swallowed when she went to his side, and placed her hand on his chest. I gritted my teeth, trying hard to not let it bother me, but it wasn’t working. He’s your fake boyfriend. He’s about to be your stepbrother. You have no claim to him. Get a grip.

Hazel leaned over and whispered in my ear again, “Heads up, she was Garcia’s plaything as well. That’s part of where this rivalry thing they have going on comes from. That and the fact Garcia doesn’t think Kayden can handle his responsibilities on the ice.” My stomach flipped, not wanting to watch this play out. I wanted to escape and go home, to ignore the pangs of jealousy I’d had towards the whole situation.

Kayden stiffened at her touch, his eyes snapping past her shoulder until they locked onto mine.

He looked at me with an intensity that would give me whiplash.

Fuck, what did I get myself into?