Page 17 of Only Ever You

I crook a smile. “Depends on what you consider fun. I’ve got a doubleheader this weekend, so yeah, I have fun plans.”

“Don’t forget, I’m an athlete too.” She pushes her workbook into her backpack. “I love being on the ice, especially when I get to compete.”

“Will you be at regionals with Isla this weekend?” I ask as I zip up my bag.

Sienna blinks, her cheeks reddening. “Er, no. My routine is far from ready, so I’m sitting regionals out.” She breaks into a slow smile. “Besides, I’m nowhere near as good as Isla. The girl is a star.”

“She is.” Nodding, I swing my bag over my shoulder. “Bye, Sienna. See you next week.”

“Bye. And will you remind Isla to call me? She promised she would so we can make plans to hang out next week.”

A few steps into the hallway, Asher catches up to me. He’s quiet, but he keeps sneaking glances at me. Finally, when I can’t take the scrutiny anymore, I stop and turn to him. “What?”

He smirks, his green eyes glimmering. “What did Sienna want?”

“She asked about my plans for the weekend; I told her about our games.” I shrug. “Why?”

“Why? She totally has a crush on you.” He shoulder-checks me.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, and? I swear, half the girls in our grade do. Doesn’t mean I’m into them.”

“Must be nice being you.”

Annoyance flares in my blood. “Like it’s not the same for you.” I skirt him and head to my locker.

“Kinda, but I’m not the Colton Thompson’s son.”

That annoyance turns into real irritation, but I ignore the feeling. “Lucky for him. Your antics would have him climbing the walls.”

“But we’d be brothers.” He turns the combination on his locker a couple down from mine.

“I’m more than fine with just having a sister.”

Ash closes his locker and props his shoulder against it. “Sometimes, it feels like you have two sisters.”

Confusion rolls through me. Two?

“I mean Isla.”

My stomach bottoms out. “I don’t see Isla as my sister. She’s my best friend.”

“I’m your best friend too, but you and I have never been as close as the two of you are.”

“It’s different. I’ve known her my whole life.” I close my locker. “Ready to head out?”

He grimaces a little, but then his smile slips back into place. “Yeah. Mom is picking me up today. If I don’t get out there soon, she’ll be annoyed. Dad’s back from his trip, so…”

We walk toward the exit. Quiet giggles and the occasional “bye, Michael” follow us.

It puts a smile on my face. I’d never admit it out loud, but I like the attention. For once, people notice me for me, not as Colton Thompson’s son. Even if it’s only because of my face or whatever, it still feels good. It’s kind of funny when girls act like I’m some big deal. I’m not interested in any of them, though. Hockey’s the only thing that matters. School, too, I guess. And that’s enough.

“Isn’t that Isla with Turner?” Asher’s voice brings me back to reality as we step out of the building.

I turn, and that irritation is back. Isla is standing a few feet away, a small stack of books pressed to her chest and her backpack hanging over her shoulder. She’s in a short black skirt, a white tee, and her favorite pair of Chucks.

Turner says something to her, and she smiles. The expression makes my stomach flip. Sizzling energy spreads under my skin, and, without thinking it through, I stride straight for them.

What the hell does he want from her?