by Anna B. Doe
“Lingering how? Creepy lingering or I’m checking you out kind of lingering?” One of her dark brows arches in question.
I shrug. “Just lingering. I was doing my homework and when I lifted my gaze, he was there. I’m not sure how long, but he was standing in the shadows watching. He’s been acting really weird lately.”
“Maybe he’s finally starting to notice.” Jessy wiggles her brows at me playfully.
I shove her away. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re friends.”
“You haven’t looked at him as ‘just friends’ in a long time, Evie.”
She’s right, but it’s not like I’m going to say that out loud. Jessy’s the only person who actually knows how I feel about Liam, and how far that is from brotherly kind of love he feels for me. The rejection is on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t get to say anything because there is a light tap on the glass.
Temporarily startled, I turn around only to find Liam’s smiling face looking at me from the other side of the Plexiglass. He’s in full equipment, white jersey stretched over his in-pads-covered shoulders matching the one I’m wearing underneath my jacket.
I wave at him, mouthing good luck. Today’s the big game, and I can’t wait to see him play. The ice time he got in the past was minimal, and it was never as a starter. This is his chance to prove his coach what he’s made of and claim one of the starter spots that will open once his senior teammates graduate this spring.
If possible, Liam’s smile grows bigger as he waves back, slowly skating away. Backward. Attention monkey, that one.
“Just friends, huh?” Jessy elbows me lightly, drawing my attention back to her.
Tilting my head to the side, so that the hair stuck behind my ear falls down and covers my red cheeks and a big smile, I say, “Stop it.”
“Girl, if he smiles like that to his ‘just friend’”—Jessy actually uses air quotes, which only serves to irritate me more—“I’d like to see how he smiles at the girl he’s in love with.”
Shaking my head, I nibble at my lower lip to stop the words from coming out.
I wish I never have to see it myself.
“I think you should just go for it,” Jessy yells over the loud music, looking around the crowded room for Mila and Tammy, her cheerleader friends. Wolves have won their game and I’m sure people in the next county know it by now.
Once we left the game, we went to get ready at my house. Instead of having Mila and Tammy make a double trip, first to my place, and then to the party, we decided to meet here instead. If the house wasn’t packed as it is, maybe it would have been easier to spot them.
I’ve heard all about Andrew Hill’s parties, although I’ve never been to one before. If the hockey team were a royalty, Andrew Hill is most definitely their king. He’s known for his cold, almost ruthless behavior, but even that doesn’t stop people from wanting a piece of him any way they can get.
I look around as we struggle through the crowd. People are mingling around, red Solo cups tucked into their hands. Some of them I know from school, some not.
“I’m just saying, boys are dumb, Evie,” she continues as we stop in the kitchen to grab a drink. “For all their macho behavior, they’re either A) scared to make a move or B) too lazy to do it, because they’re comfortable with the situation like it is. And you have a guy who’s genuinely interested in you. Don’t you think you should give him a chance?”
I think for a bit as Jessy goes about getting our drinks.
Yes, I like Liam as more than a friend, but am I really willing to risk our friendship and put my heart on the line just because he mentioned dating? It’s not like he asked me out on a date. Not even close.
Besides, I don’t think Jessy gets it. Not really. Liam and I have been friends for so long, he is practically a part of me. An essential part I’m not sure I could live without, while at the same time I know that if I ever do cross that line between friendship and something more, we’ll never be able to get back to how things were. Nothing will be the same. It couldn’t be.
Is it really worth the risk?
Then there’s Noah. Of course, as my best female friend—there is no way I’d go to Liam and talk about Noah with him—she knows all about him and what’s been going on during our English class. He’s handsome and charming, but for some reason, my heart is set in its way and wants somebody else.
No, not just somebody.
Wants Liam.
“It’s not that easy,” I mutter once she gets back, pushing the cup into my hands.
“You’re the one making it difficult.”
“Says the girl who can’t decide between salad and yogurt.” I give her a knowing look. “I’m the first person who wants this to be different. I want to go to how things were with Liam before my feelings toward him got all messy. It’s not like I chose this for myself.”
“True, but you can make this choice. He asked you about dating, so obviously, something made him think about you dating.” Her hands land on my shoulders and she turns me around. Almost instantly my eyes zero in on the guy standing behind the bar. “Now’s your chance, Evie.”
She pushes me a little in his direction. My legs wobble, and I inhale sharply, trying to keep some composure. Since Liam hasn’t noticed me yet, I take a moment to look at him. The room is dark, and there are people between us, but at this point, I know him so well—not just the way he looks, but his habits too—that I don’t have to look at him to see him.
His dark hair is still probably damp from the shower, and mussed since he rarely takes a moment to comb it. His grin so wide his dimple pops out, brown eyes shining brightly in excitement over the win.
Maybe Jessy is right. My fingers clench with nerves as I maul over Jessy’s words. Maybe I should just ask him and be done with it once and for all. Things won’t be the same, but are they really the same as they used to be when we were younger? Far from it. Yes, we’re still friends, but I can feel the connection we have change almost daily. Small, at first insignificant changes, that suddenly become big and nothing is as it used to be.
“Okay.” That one word comes out in a whoosh of air. I look over my shoulder at my friend’s smiling face. “I’m going.”
I take a few steps, determined to get the job done.
Maybe I really do need this to either get what I want or to get free of this attraction I feel for my best friend so I can move on.
A group of people gets in my way. I frown, shifting my weight from one leg to another as I wait for them to move on, but that’s all it takes for him not to be alone anymore. And it’s not just anybody.
It’s Jeanette Sanders.
I’m not familiar with a lot of the senior class, but everybody has heard of the Sanders twins. When somebody new moves to town, it’s a given people will start to talk. They’re not an exception.
I watch him as he leans on the counter, a lazy smile on his lips. My heart squeezes slowly, painfully. The lump forms in my throat and suddenly it’s hard to breathe.
Of course he’d be interested in her. She’s older, more mature, and gorgeous. I don’t have to be able to see her through the dim light illuminating the living room to know that. I’ve seen Jeanette around the school hallways a few times in passing. She’s tall and lean, with midnight hair and olive skin. There is an almost exotic tone to her features. Although she mostly keeps to herself, I’ve seen guys look at her, and apparently Liam’s no exception.
Turning around so I don’t have to see them, I catch Jessy’s worried eyes on me. She’s seen them too.
“This was a mistake,” I say as I walk around her.
“Evie…” Jessy tries to call me, but I don’t turn back. If I do I might get a glimpse of Liam flirting with Jeanette again and I’m not sure my heart can take it.
I have to get out of here. Now. If I don’t I’ll suffocate.
This was a bad idea. I guess I’m lucky I didn’t embarrass myself in front of everybody.
Whatever the reason behind his question wa
s, it most certainly wasn’t because Liam is interested in me.
After all, I’m just his best friend.
Chapter Four
LIAM
Where is she? I look around, trying to spot the familiar blond head in the crowd of people filling Andrew Hill’s living-turned-party-room but see nothing. I was slightly disappointed when I didn’t see Evie waiting for me after the game, but when I texted her, she told me Jessy made her go back home so they could get ready for the party, yet they still aren’t here.
Two girls come to the bar, close enough that I can hear their giggling as they whisper something to one another. Giving one final sweep to the room, I sigh and force a smile on my lips before I turn to them. I go through motions as I make their drink and then I finally slide it over the bar to them.
When I turn around, I find no other than Jeanette Sanders leaning against the other side of the bar. They might call her the Ice Queen, but there’s nothing icy about her to me. On the contrary, she’s extremely hot.
“What can I get you, beautiful?” I ask as I slowly move toward her, my grin growing bigger.
“Oh, it’s gonna be like that?” She laughs, shaking her head at me.
“Don’t know what’cha talking about.” I scratch the nape of my neck, trying to play it cool. It’s not the first time I’m in a company of a pretty girl, but Jeanette is in a league of her own.
“Pleaseee,” she drawls, rolling her eyes playfully. “Throwing compliments and nibbling at that lip playfully. How many hearts have you broken tonight?”
Her husky laugh makes my skin prickle in awareness.
Holly shit, is she flirting with me? I feel my palms sweat as the lump forms in my throat. It sure as hell looks like it.
Keep it cool, man. I remind myself as I stop in front of her.
“I’d never do that. I’m one of the good guys.”
Jeanette leans forward, pursing her lips, and my throat goes dry. “Mhmm…”
I gulp down, shaking my head, which seems to make her smile widen. “So…” Jeanette waves her hand in the air. I look at her for a moment, confused, until it hits me.
“Liam.”
“Liam.” She nods and gives me a sheepish smile. “Do you know how to mix fancy drinks or do you simply pour whatever gets in your hand first?”
“Thought you’d never ask.” I wink at her and take a step back, but don’t break our eye contact. I don’t know what all the fuss is about this girl, but she isn’t only gorgeous, she’s also fun to be around.
“Jeanette,” she says like I don’t know. At this point, I think the whole Greyford knows about the Sanders twins. “My name’s Jeanette.”
“Jeanette,” I say, tasting her name on my tongue. “Got it.”
Turning around, I grab all I need to prepare her a drink. I can feel her eyes on me, so I put on a little show. Only when I’m done do I turn around and offer her a Solo cup with her drink.
“I’d put it in a fancy glass, but I think we’re safer if we stick to these.”
Jeanette arches her brow as she looks at my hand wrapped around the plastic. “Mind if I take that, or did you make it for yourself?”
“Come and get it,” I taunt, my grin widening.
Jeanette leans forward, her smile growing bigger. Her cool fingers brush against mine as she reaches for her drink, making me shiver.
I’m about to open my mouth to tease her about it when an irritated voice asks, “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Rookie?”
My eyes snap over Jeanette’s shoulder, seeing a very pissed Andrew looking at me over Jeanette’s stiff shoulders. You know the saying if looks could kill? Well, let me assure you it’s very true.
I let go of the cup, and Jeanette brings it to her lips, taking a sip before turning around to face my teammate.
Andrew makes a point of glaring at me for a moment longer, making sure I got the message loud and clear.
Thankfully, Jeanette demands his attention. “Need something, playboy? A bottle you can drown your arrogant, rich ass in? Or maybe you’re just looking for a condom so your dick doesn’t fall off once you dip it in one of your pretty, foolish girls?”
Andrew takes a step closer, getting into her personal space. His glare is now turned toward her, but she doesn’t back down. That girl must have a spine of steel if she’s getting toe-to-toe with pissed off Hill. He’s a pain in the ass to deal with on a good day.
“Jeannette,” Andrew growls at her through clenched teeth.
“Andrew.”
He leans closer, his words too quiet for me to understand, but I can see their lips moving as they move closer to each other. The tension between them skyrockets within seconds, but it’s not the only thing.
Dammit, he’s into her.
The sparks that fly between the two along with their tempers are unmistakable. It’s like they’re stuck in their own world where nothing and nobody else exists. Just looking at them makes me uncomfortable.
And then he kisses her. And we’re not talking here about a peck on the lips, but a full-on makeout session. The possessive kind that at the same time makes you uncomfortable and says loud and clear this girl is taken to every single onlooker.
Perfect. Just what I needed.
Looking away, I hope they forget about me because the last thing I want is to piss my teammate off. If I knew he was into her, I’d never…
From the corner of my eye, I can see them break away, and then there is a loud whack that makes my eyes pop out of my sockets.
Andrew’s face is turned to the side, his hand rubbing at his cheek. The room is dark, but I bet it’s bright red.
Damn, the girl’s got a nasty hook.
Her face is stone-hard, her lips barely moving, but she must have said something to him before storming off.
“What do you think you’re looking at, Rookie?” Hill barks at me.
I lift my hands in the air in surrender. “Not going there, man.”
No way in hell, not even with a ten-foot pole.
“You better not.” He gives me one last warning stare before he turns around and storms after Jeanette.
I stare behind them, unable to wrap my mind about what just happened.
“What the hell was that?” Mike asks as he slides into one of the barstools on the other side.
Grabbing a glass, I pour myself two fingers of Jack and down it in one go. My heart is still thumping loudly from the interaction I had with Andrew-fucking-Hill.
“I thought he was going to rip my head off,” I say, shaking said head.
“What did you do to piss him off?”
“It wasn’t about me. It was about her. Jeanette Sanders,” I murmur the words quietly as I look around. The last thing I want is for Andrew to hear me and come back swinging.
“The Ice Queen?” Mike’s brows furrow in confusion.
Andrew is cool and collected. Yes, he can be obnoxious and sometimes, okay most of the time, he acts like a complete dickhead, but usually, it’s almost like his heart is made of ice and nothing can touch him.
“Yes.” I nod my head in confirmation, still stunned myself.
“Andrew went ballistic over a girl?” The skepticism in his voice is clear. It’s to be expected since Andrew Hill doesn’t give two shits about anybody, and especially not girls. Dude switches them more often than his socks.
“Did you see how he kissed her? If that’s not some possessive shit, I don’t know what is.”
“Crazy shit, man.”
Not wanting to think about it for a second longer, I switch the subject to hockey. We go over some of today’s plays and discuss our future opponents as I hand out a drink every now and then. Most of the people just go for the beer and since the kegs are in the kitchen I don’t have to worry about that.
Sometime in the middle of our discussion, Jack joins us too. He has a shit-eating grin plastered on his face, and I know he got some action not that long ago. Thankfully, I don’t have to listen about his latest conquest bec
ause a group of girls comes to get drinks. After I give them their vodka cranberries, I go back to the guys, my eyes scanning the overflowing crowd, realizing I still haven’t seen my best friend.
Where the fuck is she?
I turn to the guys. “Hey, have you seen Evie?”
“Evie?” Jack asks, looking around. Like a mere mention of her name will summon her.
“She should be here. She said she’d come.”
“I saw her,” Mike says as he takes a sip out of his cup.
“When?”
She was here and she didn’t come to say hi? I frown, confused. What the hell’s with that?
“Just before I came over.” He nods. “She was leaving.”
“Leaving?” It’s not even eleven. Why would she leave so early? Why would she leave without at least coming to say hi?
“Yeah,” Mike continued. “I don’t think she saw me. She seemed distressed.”
Evie? Distressed? That doesn’t sound anything like her. She seemed fine earlier tonight. Happy.
What the hell’s going on then?
Drumming my fingers impatiently against the steering wheel, I look at the house in front of me. It’s already past 8:00 a.m. and if she doesn’t get her ass out of the house in the next couple of minutes we’ll be seriously late to school.
“What are you up to, Evie?”
Pressing the horn, I hold it for so long until it becomes irritating even to me. If that doesn’t make her hurry her ass, nothing will.
The unsettling feeling that’s been bugging me since Saturday night is still present, boiling just underneath my skin and making me itch. For what exactly, I’m not sure. But it appeared the moment I realized I haven’t seen Evie at the party, although she promised she’d be there. Evie doesn’t break promises.
I would have gone to her earlier, but when I got home it was late and all the lights over at the Clark house were turned off, and Sundays we always go visit my grandparents a few towns over, so I wasn’t home.