Page 82 of The Kiss Connection

Was I not supposed to bring Juniper with me?

Shit.

I rub the back of my neck nervously as Juniper offers me a smile before sneaking off with Kyler.

Again, that pang of jealous hits my chest, and I don’t know where it’s coming from.

I grab a seat with the guys, and Kyler brings me a beer. Twenty minutes later, Juniper returns with a fancy girly drink in a daiquiri glass.

She’s smiling and I swear already looks tipsy. She saunters over to the upholstered chair I’m sitting on. Juniper doesn’t ask, she just sits down on my lap, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

She holds her glass in one hand, taking a sip to keep the drink from spilling over the edge. It looks like it’s made of crushed ice and strawberries, plus lots of liquor.

“Is it good?” I ask, keeping my voice down, but Conrad is only a few feet away and anything I say, unless it’s a whisper, he’ll easily be able to overhear.

Juniper nods enthusiastically.

“Are you sure that’s your first?” I ask, smiling at the loopy grin on her face. I’ve seen her drunk before and I don’t want her to get smashed, but maybe a little toasted and relaxed is good for both of us.

I’m trying not to feel stressed out, hanging out in Kyler Greyson’s home. He’s a hockey legend in New York, and there’s talk about him wanting to buy the team. But it’s all talk, isn’t it?

Juniper’s nose scrunches up. “Emerson offered me shots in the kitchen.”

“Oh, did she?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Maybe you should be cut off,” I say, grabbing her daiquiri and having a nice swig of it.

Honestly, it tastes more like frozen ice and strawberries. I can’t taste any rum in the drink.

“Emerson went light with the liquor, at my request,” Juniper says and glances from her drink to my lips. “I promise, I won’t get drunk like last time.”

“Last time?” Conrad whispers to Archer, but he’s failing miserably at keeping his voice down. I glare at the two of them. I don’t need my brother adding more drama to my life or starting rumors.

Archer shrugs and shakes his head, not knowing anything about the last time, because it wasn’t something I shared with my teammates or my brother.

Juniper overhears them. “Yes, last time,” she pipes up, not the least bit quiet or sober. “Before I was dating this guy.” She runs a hand through my hair, ruffling it. “I went on a date with a loser and tried using my key in the wrong door.”

Reid and Byron glance at one another, confused, hearing the story but not putting together all the pieces.

“They live on the same floor, they’re neighbors,” Conrad explains to the rest of the group who isn’t aware of our living situation.

A few murmurs erupt through my teammates.

“So, what happened with the loser guy?” Conrad asks, tilting his head, curious. “Unless you mean this guy is the loser?” He points at me and I roll my eyes.

“I saved her ass,” I say.

“He did,” Juniper beams and takes a sip of her daiquiri. “He was the perfect gentleman, even spent the night to make sure⁠—”

“He spent the night?” Conrad quips and his jaw drops. “You never mentioned that to me. Or any of this story. I thought we were friends?”

“We are,” I grumble under my breath. It’s not a story I thought worth sharing. I still didn’t like Juniper when it happened, but I’d done the right thing and kept an eye on her. Between the alcohol and that loser showing back up, I wanted to make sure that she was safe.

Conrad glares at me. “You’re keeping secrets. Any other ones I should know about?”

Like fake dating Juniper?

“Nope,” I say and finish my beer.

He stares at me skeptically, like he knows something, but whatever it is, he keeps it to himself.