Page 22 of The Kiss Connection

So, she’s not blocking my phone number. Interesting.

Three tiny dots display as she’s typing.

Juniper: Is that all you’re sorry for?

Juniper: What about deceiving me?

Juniper: Pretending to be someone else?

Juniper: Getting me kicked out of the arena?

Wow, the girl has a lot to say. “Hey, Conrad. Do you know anything about Juniper getting kicked out of the hockey arena? This is the second time she’s brought it up.”

Conrad grins. “She answered your text?”

I show him my phone.

“Damn, four messages, and they’re all questions.” He laughs and shakes his head. “Good luck, man. I’m heading out. Hot date tonight.” Conrad heads for the door. “If you play your cards right, maybe you’ll end up having a fun night too.”

Doubtful. Unless I go out to the bar looking for a good time.

“Have fun. See you at practice tomorrow morning,” I say.

Conrad lets himself out and I climb onto my new sofa and stretch out. Staring at my phone, I feel like I should answer, but I don’t have a response to her arena question. Conrad certainly didn’t say anything. Would Archer know?

I send a quick text to my brother.

Me: Know why someone would get kicked out of the hockey arena?

Archer: Sure, tons of reasons. Sex on the Zamboni, sneaking into the locker room during off hours for a quickie. Why? Trying to find ways to get into trouble, little bro?

Me: That girl from the bar, she mentioned being kicked out. Blamed me.

Archer: Feisty chick with dark hair? Yeah, I remember the encounter. She’s cute.

Me: Focus, bro. She blamed me for getting her booted from the arena.

Archer: Oh! That was my fault. You weren’t playing worth shit, hyper-focused on her. I asked Coach to have one of the assistants escort her out. You’re welcome. You played a little better after.

Me: Fuck you.

Archer: Love you too.

Shaking my head, I close the chat message with my brother and open the one with Juniper.

Me: Can I take you out for drinks? Explain.

Juniper: Explain what? That you’re a narcissistic piece of shit. No, thanks. I already have plans.

Me: It doesn’t have to be tonight.

Juniper: NEVER.

Me: Okay, you don’t have to shout.

There’s a loud grumble across the hallway. I haven’t met my neighbors and I’m pretty sure that Conrad is already gone. It’s been a few minutes since he left. I stand, head toward the door, open it, and glance into the hallway.

There’s no one nearby.