Hot and Cold: A College Hockey Romance by Tara September

Author:Tara September
Language: eng
Format: epub

13

LUKE

Jax’s spine stiffens slightly, and accusing eyes meet mine over Morgan’s head. I don’t blame her. I’m just as shocked to have Morgan up against me and not Jax, like I was picturing only a second ago. What I’d wanted to do the moment I saw Jax standing over in this alcove tonight talking to Tanner—squeeze her up and absorb every ounce of her infectious joy for life and make her puny glare disappear.

Instead, having Morgan clinging to me is like having a bucket of Gatorade poured over my head. And it’s not as fun as the commercials or ESPN make it look. No, it’s sticky and cold, just like Morgan’s hand biting into my hip. Still, unbidden memories flood my mind remembering the former us. Some things are better left in the past, though, and I shove away the nostalgic images temporarily fogging my brain.

Peeling off Morgan’s bony arm, I break the embrace, mindful of the gossipy stares aimed our way. This isn’t a stupid reality show, and I bristle over the fact that everyone is watching our dreaded reunion.

“I’m really glad you got my invite,” Morgan declares, effectively rewriting the scene in her head, as usual. “It’s so good to have you back at one of my TGIF parties again.”

I might be at Morgan’s party, but I’m sure as hell not here for her. “I couldn’t miss it after Jax asked me to come.” My turn to put the emphasis on “come.” Grinning, I deliberately extend my hand past Morgan, hoping to hell my teapot won’t scald me.

She does, but not in the way I feared. Jax’s delicate hand curls into my palm, filling it with warmth the second I encompass it. With a slight squeeze, I tug her to my side, and as expected, she fits perfectly under my shoulder. Now, that’s better.

Morgan’s sharp, blue-green eyes take in the two of us, darting from my face to Jax’s. “The rumors are true?” she asks, sounding both baffled and insulted.

“Yup,” I say, holding Jax closer, silently urging her to play along. For once, Jax doesn’t argue or talk, thank the hockey gods.

Morgan shifts her full attention to Jax, scornfully looking her up and down. So help me, I’m about to lay into her, but Morgan gets in the first passive-aggressive punch. Unfortunately, Jax is her target.

“That’s such a stunning dress,” Morgan says pleasantly. “But I guess you must really love it, too, since you’ve worn it to two of my parties now. Aren’t you supposed to be like a fashion influencer?”

Several hovering girls snigger at Morgan’s letdown, but Jax only snorts with amusement. Meanwhile, my teeth are mashing together so hard I can taste blood.

“Thank you, Morgs. So sweet of you to keep tabs on my wardrobe,” Jax responds, mimicking Morgan’s nice-on-the-surface voice to perfection. “You see, I believe in sustainability and quality over quantity.”

Morgan scoffs and inclines her head toward me. “Yes, evidently you do like to reuse things.”

My brain is telling me not to say shit, to just let it go.

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