Unbreakable(64)

“But Will and I have always been close friends,” I argue. “And he’s the one who told me not to confuse our friendship with sex. So how do I know he wasn’t looking at me just now like a friend? Or like a friend with benefits?”

Peyton rolls her eyes. “Get a clue, Em.”

I pull off my toque and sink back into my seat as the Wolverines begin the final skate around their zone. They’re going so fast it’s almost a complete blur, but I still manage to find Will as they speed by us. He looks so tall and imposing on his skates. And so, so handsome.

“You’ve got it bad, Sullinger,” Peyton laughs, poking me in the side. “Was the sex really that good?”

“Peyton!” Violet reaches over and gives her a playful smack on the arm. “Some things are private, you know.”

“What? I’m merely pointing out that she looks like a lovesick puppy watching her man skate around out there.”

“He’s not my man,” I counter. “And yeah, the sex was that good.”

Violet sighs. “Can we please keep this conversation G-rated, ladies? There’s families with little kids sitting nearby.”

“Yes, Mother,” Peyton says, giving her a mock salute. “Oh, man. Vi, I can’t wait until you’re getting banged and want to shout it from the rooftops.”

Violet turns a deep shade of red. “I wouldn’t be shouting that from the rooftops.”

“Even if it was Sully that you were banging?” Peyton challenges.

“Okay, can we please not discuss my brother and banging in the same sentence?” I ask, making a face. “Gross. And if that ever happens, talk to Peyton about it. That’s a conversation I won’t be able to have without vomiting, so spare me the details, I beg of you.”

Peyton snickers and tosses a piece of popcorn in her mouth. “She’d never tell me. Vi doesn’t bang and tell.”

“Damn right I don’t,” she says, glaring.

Peyton blows her a kiss. “We’ll see about that. Anyway, I’m going to find a bathroom and get another beer. You guys want anything while I’m up?”

“Nope. I’m good,” I say, taking a sip of my cola.

“Get me popcorn, please.” Violet hands her a twenty-dollar bill.

We watch as she slides past a group of college-aged guys farther down our row. They turn and follow her progress up the stairs. Peyton puts some extra swagger into her step and gives them a flirty smile over her shoulder.

I elbow Violet. “Ten bucks says she has a date with one of them by the end of the night.”

Violet glances up at the Jumbotron, which is counting down the minutes until the start of the game.

“She exhausts me sometimes,” Violet says quietly. “I love her, but I wish she knew when to quit, you know?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Is everything okay with you two?”

“Yeah, of course,” she says quickly. “I’m just a little worried about her. She’s always been a wild one, but…”

I turn in my chair to face her. “What’s going on?”

Violet sighs. “That’s the problem—I’m not really sure what’s going on. I mean, we all know Peyton loves sex, but lately, she’s hooking up with guys who she’s barely known for five minutes. And I mean that literally. We went to a party on campus, and she went into a bedroom with someone we’d been introduced to only a few minutes earlier. Something’s just off.”

That worries me. Peyton’s always had a very active sex life. And though she does have a tendency to hook up more after breaking up with someone, it’s usually after an entire night of flirting. Not minutes.

“Ever since she broke up with Finn, it’s gotten really bad. It’s like he broke her spirit and her confidence. But you know talking to her about it isn’t going to make a difference. She’ll just blow it off,” Violet says.

“Well, we might have to if this keeps up. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

Our conversation is interrupted by a loud buzzer, signaling that the break is over and it’s time for the game to start. Lights flash and music blares as the announcer introduces the Wolverines to the hometown crowd.

We jump to our feet and cheer as the players skate out of the tunnel and onto the ice. I find Will immediately, and my heart swells with pride. He looks so intense out there. I can tell he’s in full-blown game mode. He probably won’t see a lot of ice time, but judging by the look on his face, he’s more than ready for this.

“Are you in love with him, Em?” Vi asks.

My cheeks get hot, and I can’t even bring myself to meet her eyes. “I don’t know. I’m not sure how I feel.”

“I’m just saying, I’ve never seen your eyes light up around any guy like they just did when you saw Will.”

“Everything’s so jumbled up right now, Vi.” I toy with a loose string on the end of my jersey. “I’m almost afraid to feel too much. I don’t know what he wants from me. I’m still wrecked over what happened between us.”

“For what it’s worth, I think Peyton’s right. I think you’re going to find out he’s crazy about you. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just sex for him, Em.”

We both watch as Will skates over to the bench and grabs a water bottle.