See No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy #1)(43)

#24:

Wolf Pack



Trey



I glide across the ice, curving around to catch another glimpse of Chris. Looking at her is kind of addictive and I’ve given up trying to be subtle about it. That attraction I’ve been fighting since meeting her…well, now that I don’t have to resist it anymore…it’s becoming something bigger.

I love spending time with her.

She’s got guts, determination, a quick tongue. I love how feisty she is, the way her eyes spark when she argues with me, the deadpan stares she gives Kade when he’s being an idiot, the emotion in her eyes when Riley told her about his family.

She’s more than just a pretty face.

Kade slams me from behind, knocking me off my feet as he rushes past with the puck.

“Keep your goo-goo eyes on the ice, dude!” He laughs over his shoulder and heads for the goal. Riley skates ahead to defend, spinning around and preparing to play goalie.

I jump up and skate after Kade, pumping my arms and reaching him just as he’s about to shoot. I steal the puck but he’s after me in a second, slamming me into the glass. We jostle and laugh just before our fight turns to anger.

Kade gets the puck but I steal it back before he reaches the goal. Taking it behind the net, I swing back around and flick it between Riley’s skates.

“Yes!” I pump my arm in the air and skate away with a whoop.

Chris claps and cheers for me, unleashing a little girly while we’re hidden away in the hockey rink. Damn, she’s got a great smile.

Riley thumps the post with his stick and skates to the edge of the rink. “I’m done.” Pulling off his helmet, he wipes the sweaty hair off his forehead before reaching for his water.

He slugs it back so fast it drips down his chin.

“Aw, come on, Ry,” I goad him.

Riley recaps his bottle with a laugh. “Forget it, man. I’m hungry, I’m tired, I’m cold. All I want is a hot shower and some eats.”

“Sounds good to me.” Kade skates for the gate, pulling off his helmet and shaking out his shaggy hair. It’s getting long. School’s going to make him cut it soon. He’s gonna love that—not. He probably thinks long hair makes him sexy. Anything to get the girls, right?

Chris grins at his eyebrow wiggle.

I frown.

He sits next to her and starts unstrapping his skates. “Now, I’m about to go get naked in the shower, so you just keep your pretty ass right here or Trey might get jealous.”

She rolls her eyes and I skate for the edge of the rink.

“Look, I know you’re tempted, but you need to show a little self-control.” He winks and her pitiful frown turns into a giggle.

“Would you shut the hell up and go shower,” I snap, gripping the wall and glaring at him.

Kade laughs and saunters off, Riley following in his wake.

Chris turns her smile on me and it’s impossible to stay mad. She’s beautiful. I want to memorize everything about her face.

“Come skate with me?” My voice is soft and inviting.

She brushes her teeth over her bottom lip and nods. We got out skates for her when we first arrived, but she landed on her ass within thirty seconds of getting on the ice and, thanks to Kade’s laughing, wouldn’t get back on.

Maybe she sensed we needed to blow off some steam. But we’ve done that now and all I want to do is glide around the ice with her in my arms.

Sappy and romantic—yes.

But I’ve got to admit that I’ve basically been hanging out with her nonstop this past week and she’s making sappy and romantic easier and easier to find.

Clambering across to the rink, she grabs the wall before snapping an ankle. I take her hand and help her to the gate, holding her steady as she steps onto the ice. As soon as she’s stable, I take her other hand and gently glide backwards, pulling her forward as I go.

We can’t stop grinning at each other. We’re saying so much without talking.

Emotions are clogging my throat, only getting worse as her eyes start to mist over. I’m pretty sure she’s thinking about when she has to go.

“Don’t think about it,” I croak. “Just be in this moment with me.”

She nods, sniffing at her tears and forcing another smile.

I turn just before we hit the wall and then stop in the middle of the rink. She glides to a stop against my chest, wrapping her arm around my waist.

It’s quiet in here. Like we’re the only two people at the school…in the world, even.

I gaze down, studying her face and trying to paint a picture I won’t forget. I hate the idea of her leaving. We don’t know when that will be, but it can’t be far off. She’ll be picked up and taken to a courthouse to testify against a killer. It’s going to be terrifying for her and I won’t be there.

“I want to keep you safe,” I finally whisper. “I want to keep you right here…with me.”

“I want that too.” Her lips rise into a slow smile, killing any doubts I may have had that this thing growing between us is a one-sided deal.

Sadness sweeps over us as we both think forward to the inevitable.

I run my thumb over her forehead, smoothing out her frown lines. “It’s gonna be okay. I know you’re scared, but you’re strong too. Much stronger than me.”