Page 113 of Tempting Venom
Aweek later, I drop by Vipers Arena to watch a hockey game.
Okay, that’s a lie.
I’m here to watch Preston.
Got myself a front-row seat as well—or more like asked Serena for it.
There’s a hum in the crowd, a thrilled tension that wraps around my bones as he leads a flash counterattack. Preston’s form is nothing short of perfection as he swerves between the lines of defense as if they’re invisible, then scores.
People on either side of me jump up and scream in excitement as the score changes.
The Vipers’ team members crowd Preston, patting him on the helmet and shoulders, clashing their sticks with his as he does a small dance and points at the crowd. He bows theatrically, smiling widely, and I can see the dimples hollowing his cheeks.
Wow.
This smile is a replica of the one he wore when I first met him in Dad’s garden.
The carefree, innocent smile.
My thumb taps against my middle finger as I soak it in,staying completely motionless, worried that if I blink, I’ll miss it.
It’s the same smile. The same ethereal, beautiful energy from back then. No anger or violence or need to always stay in control.
There’s just…joy.
And I’menamored.
Completely caught in its web and refusing to be freed.
I want that.
No. Ineedthat.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Now I understand why I keep pulling on his strings. It’s not only because I want to touch him, though I do crave him in ways that feel overwhelming at times, but it’s because ofthis.
The scene right here. The way he smiles so freely, moves so fluidly, and is just…himself.
It’s like seven-year-old Preston in that garden. The one I was quietly drawn to at first sight. The one I yearned to trap in the palm of my hand.
All this time, I thought that version of him was indefinitely gone, but he’s not. He just doesn’t show up in front of me anymore, but he does peek through in his comfort zone.
On the ice.
I guess that’s why I’ve gravitated toward him all these years when we’ve played against each other. He’ll have this smooth, hyper energy, and I’ll see my prince from fifteen years ago and want to fucking devour him.
Like that game three years ago. The first in the college season since I joined the Wolves and he joined the Vipers.
“You all right, Osborn?”A heavy arm drops on my shoulders as our captain, Stevenson, stands beside me. “TheVipers’ arena is huge, and their crowd won’t shut up, but consider them background noise and play the best you can.”
I nod once. “Their numbers don’t matter. We’ll win.”
He laughs, then stares behind us. “Coach, this one is ambitious!”
Why aren’t you?
I want to ask, but don’t, because Stevenson says, “Will be a rough game, freshman, but you got the right spirit.”
