Chapter Five

I keep waiting for Clay to ask about Kellan, but so far he hasn't. Instead, he's told me stories about how he grew up.

He was raised by his mom, and his father died when he was five. His sister was just shy of a year old. It was hard on them, but his mom made it work. He was already playing hockey by then, so his mom put aside as much of his father's life insurance money as she could so that he could keep playing. When that ran out, she took odd jobs to make ends meet. She never let him quit even when the money wasn't there. As far as I'm concerned, he has the best kind of mother.

"Your sister really hid a fake snake in your skate?"

He nods with a small smile on his face. "Yeah, it scared the piss out of me. I know I look like a buff, scary guy towering over you, but I am afraid of snakes. I know. Make fun of me. I know you want to."

"I will, but let's back it up. Towering over me? You think that makes you seem scary? Newsflash, Clay. I'm five foot flat. Everyone towers over me. I have legitimately seen middle schoolers taller than me."

"True. Why do you think I call you Shorty?" He smirks.

"Oh, is that why? I thought you were a wannabe rapper," I tease.

He laughs, which makes me smile wider.

When I push my plate away finally, he sobers up. "Can we talk about it now?"

I roll my eyes. "What do you want to know?"

"How did an asshat like that convince you to be his friend?"

I want to be angry at him for calling him an asshat. In the past, I probably would have cussed him out and stormed off, but I have to admit it to myself that Kellan was being an asshat. Not only that, but he kissed me. Not on my lips, but damn near close. Kellan has barely even kissed my cheek, let alone that close to my mouth. He has a girlfriend too. It's all confusing. Especially since he was the one who drew the line between us when we were in high school.

Maybe talking about it with Clay will help. He's a guy. He has a unique perspective.

Sighing, I make the decision. "I won't tell you all of it. I won't betray his confidence like that, just like I won't betray yours, but I can tell you the basics. We met freshman year of high school. He sat next to me and asked me for a pencil. I thought that would be it, but he kept talking to me. Then he started inviting me places with his friends. Next thing I knew, he was telling people we were best friends."

Clay tilts his head slightly as he studies me. "You guys never did more?"

I shake my head. "He's never felt that way about me."

Clay snorts. "Sure. You've felt that way about him, though?"

I squirm in my seat a little as I look down at my plate. "I thought I did once. I even told him. He rejected me, of course, and we never spoke of it again. It's better this way."

He rubs his jaw. "Fuck yeah, it is. He turned you down? Fuck, he's an idiot. Have you ever even dated anyone?"

My eyes snap to his. "I'm not some innocent flower."

He smiles. "I didn't say you were. So have you?"

"I did go on a few dates, but they ended badly. Between that and seeing how the guys on the team treated women, I just decided it wasn't worth it."

"That's too bad."

"Why do you say that?"

"You're gorgeous. You know that, right?"

He thinks I'm gorgeous?

I duck my head for a moment to hide my surprise, and my cheeks heat. "Stop hitting on me. We are supposed to be friends."

"Wait. Does that fucker not tell you that you are pretty? God, I want to punch him now. I'm going to check the fuck out of him in practice tomorrow. The punishment is going to be worth it."

"Don't you dare," I warn him.

"I will dare. Grace, you are a very beautiful woman. You have a best friend who is a guy. He should be telling you every single day that you look beautiful. Even if he doesn't want you, which I guarantee you is a lie, he should still be setting the bar high so you know what you deserve. He's supposed to be the threat at your back for any man who treats you wrong. Instead, he is failing. That is a pity."

The conviction in his voice causes me to shiver. He truly believes the words he's saying. There is so much more to this man that I originally thought. Where did this guy come from?

"Why don't you have a girlfriend?" I blurt out.

He laughs. "Okay, so we will ignore everything I just said for now, but we're going to circle back another day. I don't have a girlfriend because I don't want one."

"So you just have hookups."

"Nope. I told you about my family. I don't want anything to mess up the life I want to give them. In order to do that, I need to get drafted to a good team and earn a paycheck. Then I can pay off my mom's house and pay my sisters tuition. That's the goal."

My heart aches at that. He doesn't even want the money for himself? Swoon. I am not supposed to like this guy, but I think I'm starting to. Which, with my track record, is dangerous.

"So you just abstain?"

"Yes. From girls, alcohol, really anything bad for you or that could get me in trouble. The night we met was the first drink I've had in years, and I only had one shot. I shouldn't have even eaten this pizza, but I couldn't help it. I'm allowed a cheat day every now and then."

I frown. "What do you normally eat then?"

"Lean proteins, some carbohydrates occasionally, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and dairy. Things like that."

"That sounds so boring. Bland."

"Nah. I can season it however I want. It's not so bad. Plus, in the offseason, I get to eat whatever I want within reason. So I can't just say screw my diet, but I can add in more cheat days. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make."

I don't know if I've ever been as dedicated to anything as he is to hockey.

"That's honestly honorable. Your drive to meet your goals is amazing. I never did ask. What are you getting a degree in anyway? Are you going to finish it?"

"Business management. I want to finish it, but I don't know if I will. It depends if it's a good time to declare after this season or not."

"Oh, so Kellan was right. You might declare?"

I don't know why, but the idea of him leaving makes me sad. I mean, we are barely friends, but I think I could get used to seeing him around.

"Probably. If Coach says it's right."

"What would happen if you stayed and finished out your degree?"

"Nothing really, I guess. I might not go as high in the draft, but as long as I play well, I probably would still go to a good team. It's the risk that I'd get injured that is the concern."

"Well, I hope it all works out."

"Me too. What are you going to school for?"

My smile grows. "Guess."

He hums. "Well, based on your tutoring skills, I think you would make a kick-ass teacher."

I shake my head. "Thank you, but no. I'm studying marketing. I want to be a PR manager."

His eyes widen. "No kidding? No wonder Maybel spoke so highly of you. Did you really finish this class in high school already?"

"I did. They made me take some prerequisites, but let me choose one class a semester that I wanted to take. I took marketing the first semester of my senior year of high school. Passed with an A if you were wondering."

"Oh, I wasn't. I figured out pretty quickly that you had both beauty and brains on your side. That was obvious when we met last night."

"Oh? I thought I made a fool of myself last night."

"You did stick your foot in your mouth a bit, but you changed your tune quick. Most people aren't willing to admit when they are wrong. Anyway, that's not how I knew you were smart. You were upstairs reading a book instead of partying. Also, you speak in such an elegant way. I knew you weren't some gold digger trying to get into my pants."

"Yeah. Those girls are annoying. I don't know how you guys deal with it," I quip, ignoring his compliment.

"Some give in while others have blinders on."

"Well, keep them blinders on. They aren't worth the drama."

My phone dings then, telling me it's almost time for bed. "I should go."

"Let me walk you home."

"It's not far, but if you insist."

He nods. "I insist. How else will I stalk you?"

I laugh as he picks up our trays and takes them to the trash. Yet another reason to like him. He cleans up after himself.

I need to stop thinking like this. Today has messed with my head.

He holds out his hand to help me stand, so I take it. Then he takes my backpack, putting it over one shoulder with his on the other, as he walks me down three buildings to the dorm.

"Your humble abode, Your Majesty." He bows as he gestures toward the door.

"You are a dork," I say as I try to fight a smile.

"I know. So I'll see you Tuesday?"

I smile. "Give me your phone."

He pulls it out of his pocket and unlocks it before handing it to me. I smile when I see a family picture as his background. I give him my phone number before turning it back.

He laughs when he sees I'm labeled as Shorty. It's stupid, but I liked that he didn't have anyone else in there with that name.

"I didn't text myself or anything, so the choice is yours. We can continue to talk via email, or you can text me. I'll see you Tuesday."

I turn, letting myself into the building. I hear my phone go off. Pulling it out of my pocket, I smile when I see the text.

Unknown: Shorty, if a man doesn't want you to have his phone number, he isn't worth your time, even as a friend. I'll see you Tuesday.

Turning, I find him still standing there, smiling. I wave once before continuing up to my room. As soon as I'm inside, I save his number under the name Casanova. If he has a nickname for me, then I'm going to have one for him too.

I knew Kellan was going to say something the minute he walked into the locker room. He had this look on his face that said he had something to get off his chest.

It almost made me laugh. Grace might not be able to see it, but I can. The dude wants his cake and then another one on the side. My guess is he has liked Grace since they were in high school, but he didn't want to settle down yet, so he keeps stringing her along. Hell, if I were a betting man, I would bet that he scares other guys away from her.

Much like he's planning to try to do to me. Problem is, I'm not trying to get in her pants. Hell, I'm not even trying to date her. Grace is a chill chick. She reminds me of my sister in some ways. I just want to be friends with her. Maybe open her eyes a little so she doesn't end up in her thirties married to a man who never deserved her in the first place.

Not that Kellan is a bad guy. I honestly don't know that one way or another. The only thing I know about the kid is that he can play hockey. It's why he was started over Labinski even though he has seniority. Coach makes you earn your spot on the ice.

Still, I already know what's likely to come out of this kid's mouth right now, and I'm going to have to shut it down quick.

"You need to leave Grace alone. She doesn't mess with hockey players," he starts.

I snort. "You're right, and for good reason. She's had you as an example of how hockey players act."

"What did you just say?" He moves closer.

I shake my head, standing to face him. "You heard me. You're being awfully territorial over a girl who's just your friend. Don't you have a girlfriend? Monica, is it?"

"Why are you messing with her? Out of all the women at this school, why her? Is it because you're pissed I'm playing better than you?"

I chuckle. "There's the cocky kid that is going to end up burning out before he makes it. Yes, you are a great player, Cooper. I won't deny it. You very well could be better than me. I don't know, nor do I care, because all I care about is making this team the best that it can be. I'm not trying to start problems with you. Grace is a friend. We study together and sometimes get some food. Nothing more, nothing less. I really think you need to evaluate how you treat her, though. Saturday night, I found her upstairs all by herself. Then she was planning to walk home alone. Walker is a safe enough place, but I still wouldn't want my baby sister walking around alone at night or left at a party all by herself where something could happen to her."

He pales at my words. He knows I'm right. He was so caught up in the party, I bet he never even realized she was gone until the next day.

"She said she got a ride home," he mutters.

"Only because I told her if she didn't that I would be walking her home. So before you bust in here acting all macho with her honor to defend, maybe take a look in the mirror. The only person in this room who is going to hurt that girl is you. From the looks of it, you have been doing it for years. Now this locker room is for hockey. When we walk through those doors, all our problems with one another or in general are left outside. We step into this room and onto that rink and we become the Wolves. A pack that will do anything to protect one another and win. Is that going to be a problem for you?"

He's still a moment before he shakes his head. The few other guys who were lingering, listening are spurred into action when he turns to get changed.

"Five minutes, then I want all of you on the ice," I call out before finishing up and heading to the rink.

I really didn't want to cause issues with the kid, but he brought it up. I'm not going to hold my tongue. If my sister had a friend like that, I would have already beat the brakes off the kid. Grace is an only child, though. So she has no one watching out for her.

Maybe that's why I'm feeling protective over her. Why I'm pursuing this friendship with her when I know I don't have time for it. Sure, she's tutoring me, but I genuinely want to be her friend too.

Stepping onto the ice, I push her and all of my issues out of my head. This is my favorite place to be. When I am out here, nothing matters but the game. I start skating around, doing my warm-ups while I wait for the other team members to join. Coach comes out first, nodding when he sees I'm the first on the ice. It's my job as captain.

The guys slowly trickle in until we are all warming up together. Coach blows his whistle, leading us through each exercise to stretch out our muscles. Once we are all done, he separates us into two different teams. He does it fairly, putting me on the team with a few starters, but also some newbies. He does the same for the other team.

I frown when I realize he's put Cooper on the other team, and Cooper has convinced the others to let him lead. In my head, it only puts the pressure on. If he wasn't gunning for me before, he is now.

I get my own guys in a huddle and give them a pep talk.

"Today, our brothers are our enemies. We don't want anyone hurt, so watch the checks. No doing anything dangerous. We need you for the real game, but let's not take it easy on them. They think that they are going to win because they are cocky. Let's show them that poise and grace over cockiness wins every time. Like my old coach always used to say, talent only gets you so far. Heart is what wins the game."

"On three, Wolves." Hanks puts his hand in.

He's our backup goalie, but the kid is good. He is going to be a force when it's his turn.

"One, two, three. Wolves!" We all call out before breaking up.

I don't take the ice to begin with. I know that's what people are expecting, but I want to see how the other guys are going to play. Are they going to play dirty? Are we going to be nice? That will determine what I tell the guys to do. Besides, we only play in bursts of forty-five seconds or so.

I smirk when I see Cooper on the ice. I knew he would put himself out there. By the way his eyes flick to mine briefly, I know he was hoping I would be too. Guess my talk about leaving his shit at the door didn't stick.

Too bad for him. Coach will lay into his ass if he isn't focused.

That thought comes true just three minutes into our scrimmage game. Coach calls a time out and pulls him aside, whisper-yelling at him for hooking me for the second time. It was a stupid move. Sometimes you might be able to get away with a hook if you're slick about it and make it look like an accident, but he isn't even trying to hide it. This might be a practice, but we are supposed to be treating it like a real game.

He wants to be captain, but he is only proving why he isn't ready for the responsibility.

When he steps back on the ice, he's a different player. The chip that was on his shoulder seems to be gone. Whatever Coach said to him helped him focus.

The rest of practice goes by fast. As everyone skates off the ice, Cooper stays looking at me.

We wait until the rink clears out. The coach gives me a look, but I give him the nod, letting him know everything is okay.

Cooper watches Coach leave before he turns to me. "I don't want there to be any issues between us," he starts.

"Good. Neither do I. We are a team."

"Glad we are on the same page there. Regarding Grace, I won't let her go. I'm going to tell her how I feel about her."

My teeth grind. He doesn't deserve her. He has been such a fool all these years, but now he is going to go to her? It's not my choice, though. It's hers.

"You going to do that with Monica as a backup, or you gonna break that off first?" I question.

He growls. "I'm not a cheater. I broke up with Monica this morning. Told her that I had feelings for someone else. She understood."

I nod once. "So what changed your mind? Is it because I am showing her attention now? Do you see how fucked up that is?"

He is seething now. "It doesn't matter what changed my mind."

"I think it does. You are your own person, so you are going to do whatever you want to do. Maybe Grace will jump at the chance, or maybe she's moved on. That doesn't matter, though. What matters is that you have had this gorgeous, intelligent woman in front of you for what, five years or so now? She has been there and you could have had her, yet you put her on the back burner. The only reason you want her now is because I paid her a little bit of attention. She's not a toy, Kellan. She's a person with real feelings, and if you're not one hundred percent sure that she's the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with, then get back with Monica because pursuing this when you aren't sure is going to ruin your friendship. It's not worth it all over a little jealousy."

He is breathing hard at this point. Anger blazing in his eyes. He wants to throw a punch at me, but I think he is also hearing the truth in my words.

Still, he huffs before he speaks, "Stay out of my way."

"I won't stop being her friend because you want me to. She's a grown woman who can make her own choices."

"Well then, I hope the best man wins."

I give him a tight smile. "There isn't even a contest."

He doesn't say anything else as he stomps off, but I shake my head at him anyway.

There's no contest because I'm not trying to get her to fall for me. I have too much going on in my life.

I just hope Grace is smart enough to see what I see.

Right now, Kellan is a child throwing a tantrum.

She's not a toy.