Page 64 of Icebound

She pauses, and I wait to see if she’s going to call me out for changing the subject, but I’m relieved when she doesn’t.

“Yes, let’s go. I’m exhausted. I shouldn’t have offered anyway.” She laughs, but it sounds like it’s filled with something broken. “You’re so far out of my league that we may as well be in different solar systems.”

Regret fills me, and I catch her wrist, gently stroking her soft skin. “Hey, don’t talk about yourself like that. You should be proud of the dreams you’re chasing, and trust me, I never could’ve gotten a girl like you in my twenties. I was a shithead you wouldn’t have looked twice at.”

“I definitely would’ve looked twice at you. Maybe even three times.”

Her smile steals my next breath, so I let her hand go because I shouldn’t be flirting with her, but it’s hard when I’m always wondering what’s going to come out of those beautiful lips.

Bending down, I pick up her glasses, pretending to examine them to give myself an extra minute to collect myself. “Come on. Let’s head out.”

We exit the hotel, and I pull out my phone to text the valet. My jaw goes tight when I read the messages on the screen.

Morgan

I’ll be at your game next week.

Can’t wait to see you!

Rhode did you get this?

“Is everything okay?” Nina asks.

I click off my phone, choosing to focus on Nina. “Yeah, why?”

“You look like you want to crush your phone.”

There’s no chance I’m telling her about Morgan because I don’t talk about that with anyone. “No. Just ready to get home. That was a lot of talking.”

“I know. I’m going to need at least twelve hours of alone time to recover.”

She shivers, so I drape my jacket over her shoulders to shield her from the cold night air.

People gather around us, and remembering her words from earlier about crowds, I turn to her. “You sure about coming to our game next weekend? Don't feel like you have to just because Cruz keeps asking. No pressure.”

She tugs my jacket tighter. “No, I really do want to come. I can tell Micah wants me there and I want to be there for him, but it’s hard dealing with crowds. I’ll be okay, though. You don’t have to worry about me. Just focus on the game.”

I fight the urge to ask if she’s only going to support Cruz or if I play a factor. He already won’t stop talking about how amazing Nina is every second.

I have to leave the room anytime he brings her up. Otherwise, I’m tempted to smack the kid, and we need him on the ice to make it to the playoffs.

“Is there anything that makes it better?” I ask, trying to keep my voice level since I have no right to be this irritated over her friendship with Cruz.

She hesitates. “I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

“You’re not an inconvenience. You’re a priority. If you want to be there, just tell me how I can help. If you don’t, that’s fine too.”

She hugs herself. “Maybe an aisle seat? Somewhere with fewer people around and close to an exit or bathroom? Just in case I need to leave for a little bit.”

“Done,” I reply, making a mental note to buy out a few extra seats around her so she’s got more space.

She blinks in surprise. “Just like that?”

I nod, firmly. “Just like that.”

Her lips curl into what looks like relief. “Thank you, Rhode. For everything. I guess you don’t owe me anything else. That can be my favor.”

“That’s not your favor. Whatever you need, I’m here.”