Zane straightened to attention faster than a soldier in the army. His cheeks reddened a bit as he met my father’s gaze. “Nothing. Just being here. With Lexi.”
“Hmmm.” Dad leveled an unimpressed gaze at him. I plastered a hand to my forehead, trying not to die of embarrassment. He’d never done this with any of my other boyfriends. It didn’t seem fair to start with Zane. “I hear from your father you’re both sticking in town for a while.”
Zane nodded sharply. “That’s right.”
“So, I guess you’ll be hanging around a lot.”
He glanced over at me, his eyes softening. “As long as Lexi will have me.”
My heart thundered as I met Marie’s starry-eyed gaze. We both let out a squeal of excitement, which elicited an eye roll from each of the men.
I wrapped my arm around Zane’s waist and soaked in the warmth from his body as I smiled happily at my dad, who was still eyeing my boyfriend like a dangerous insect to be squashed. “Dad, I hate to break it to you, but I found out today Zane’s the one who got me the job on set. We both owe him big time. So, you’re not allowed to give him a hard time.”
“Hey, you weren’t supposed to find out about that,” Zane said, looking down at me.
“Too bad. Alanis spilled the deets.”
He smirked. “Figures. She likes me too much to keep any of my good deeds a secret. But it was totally worth it. I knew you’d be great at the job the first time you told me about it. To be honest, you’re kind of scary, too. I knew you’d fit right in with Alanis.”
I elbowed him playfully and he feigned an injury.
The shock that had registered on my dad’s face from this reveal was slowly fading. With a steadying breath, he held out his hand toward Zane. “Guess I do have to cut you a little slack. But just a little, you understand? It’s my job as a father to keep you on your toes.”
“Totally understand, sir.” Zane shook his head. “I wouldn’t expect any less. Lexi’s worth it.”
My cheeks were officially going to crack, I was smiling so hard. After a full day of tears and guilt, this was a nice way to end things. Finally, we had a future. Zane slipping his fingers through mine and squeezing them was solid proof of that. There was no one else I wanted to be with. Of that, I was sure. I’d dated enough guys at Rock Valley High to know they didn’t make them like that here. They didn’t make them like that anywhere. Zane was unique. And he’d helped me to realize I was unique, as well.
It didn’t take a makeup brush or concealer to get me there. The way he was looking at me now said it all: I was perfect just the way I was.
And I didn’t dare argue with that.
Epilogue
Beth
No one in their right minds willingly sat next to a big block of ice for three hours watching silly boys flit around on their ice skates trying to get a lame rubber disc into a net. It was insanity. And yet, here I was.
I dragged my fingers over my face in desperation as I stared at the players below. The game hadn’t even started yet and my butt was already numb and my legs shivering beneath the gray sweatpants and extra layer of tights I’d put on this evening. A scornful glance at my so-called friends sitting on the bench next to me did nothing to warm me up. Charlotte and Lexi looked positively glowing as they each cozied up with their boyfriends.
Traitors.
It had been Hunter and Zane’s crazy idea to come to this game. We were supposed to have a girls’ night, but my friends had wanted to spend it with their boyfriends instead. I was the perpetual fifth wheel, as always. Not that I had a problem with that. I just preferred to do it somewhere a bit warmer than the tundra.
“Anybody want some hot chocolate,” I asked, rubbing my gloved hands together. The tips had been cut off to allow my fingers to use my phone. I’d thought it was a brilliant idea at the time, until I sat here and started to get frostbite. “It’s on me.”
“Nah, I’m good,” Lexi said, holding up a silver thermos. “Zane brought coffee to keep us warm. You can have some, if you want.”
I squinted at the canister. It was totally a Zane thing to think of his girlfriend like that. He was pretty much perfection in male form and he only had eyes for the girl with the soft red scarf and cream stocking cap sitting next to me. Even now, he held tight to her hand as he and Hunter discussed some hockey strategy that made no sense to me. It was like that for me regarding all sports and physical activities. The only action I liked was in the virtual world.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll run to the concession stand, instead,” I said, standing up. Anything to get the blood flowing again. “You guys can stay here. I’ll be back in a bit. Don’t move.”
They weren’t going to move. Charlotte was looking pretty cozy in her puffy white coat and fur-trimmed hood, pressed up against Hunter. Lexi’s cheeks and nose were flushed as she draped her knee-high tan boots over Zane’s lap and giggled when he poked her lovingly in the side. My two best friends were tiny and cute and everything feminine. They wore their hair the right way, matched their lip glosses with their outfits, and even liked most girly things. It was a feature I didn’t have.
Being girly didn’t come naturally.
As I shuffled down the stands and toward the concessions, my fingers worked their way into my sweatpants pocket where the comforting weight of my phone was. It was the latest model and the reward I’d managed to beg out of my parents after they’d practically forced me to go to science camp last summer. I took it out and unlocked the screen, gazing eagerly at my notifications for messages. Not just any message.
A message from him.
Battlescar13
“Oops!”
A shoulder bumped hard into mine, causing me to jolt into the cement wall next to me. I blinked up, partly in shock and partly in pain. A white hockey jersey stood in front of me, pads stuffed underneath to protect the wearer. Frustration rolled through me as my gaze met with the owner.
“Watch where you’re going, Corrigan.”
A sneer marred his otherwise gorgeous face. I’d always thought it was extremely unkind to women in general that a guy like that had been blessed with a chiseled jaw, dimpled chin, and dark steely blue eyes. Not to mention, a great head of dark wavy blond hair that fell into his forehead and an athletic body toned by years of pushing other kids around on the ice. It was deceptive. Michael Corrigan didn’t deserve the attention.
“Sorry, when I saw the baggy sweatpants, I thought you were a dude from the other school,” he said, leaning his head slightly to one side to slide his cruel eyes down my body. “You sure you’re not a dude, Frye?”
Fury burned inside of me. I glared at him, willing myself not to overreact. We were almost at eye level, my lanky build putting me close in height to most of the guys in school. That didn’t help my situation. Guys didn’t like girls who were taller than them. Not unless she could strap on six-inch heels and wings and prance half-naked down a catwalk. That was so not me.
“Absolutely sure.” I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed. “And I can still kick your rear in Battlegrounds anytime, anywhere. So, get over yourself.”
His eyes narrowed and his chest puffed up, the amusement gone from his face. Michael Corrigan was pretty ruthless when it came to competition. Whether it was on the ice or in the gaming world. We’d never played each other in the virtual world I spent so much time in, but I was pretty sure I was right. He’d never admit to that, though. We’d been verbally sparring since middle school, forever locked in a battle of egos. The gamer world was no different.
“Bro, coach wants us in the locker room, asap.”
A large hand clasped the shoulder of his jersey and I broke away from his gaze to see a face identical in nearly every way to Michael’s, except for a thin jagged scar that traversed the length of his jawline. Gabriel Corrigan, Michael’s twin brother, had hardly said more than ten words to me in my lifetime. He really didn’t have to, his brother did plenty of the trash talking. Still, the intense dislike I held for
Michael couldn’t be bound to just one of them. Seeing his twin brother standing there was about as enjoyable as getting a root canal.
“Oh, perfect timing,” I said, throwing Gabriel a dazzling, yet mocking smile. “You little boys better run. And don’t forget your sticks. You might actually win a game if you show up with them once in a while.”
It felt good to hold my own against the bullies. Michael’s response was an obscene hand gesture in my direction as he turned to leave. I snorted and looked up at his brother, expecting the same treatment, but was shocked to see a spark of amusement light up his blue eyes as our gazes met. The corner of his mouth curled up just enough to confirm what I’d seen, before he put back on the indifferent frown he usually wore and turned to follow his brother.
Okay, maybe the Corrigan twins weren’t as humorless as I thought they were. But I still really didn’t like them. And I was pretty sure that feeling was mutual.
Clasping my phone, I sailed past the concession stands and down the hall to the warmly lit seating area hidden around the corner. Most people didn’t know this was here. I only knew because my dad used to let me hide out here during my older sister’s ice skating lessons as a kid. Sinking into one of the plush worn armchairs, I looked down at my phone and opened up the messaging portion of the Battlegrounds app. Pulling up Battlescar13’s name, I typed into the message box.
Me: I think I’m going to lose my fingers to frostbite tonight.
No more gaming for me.
Leaning my head back, I stared at the foam tiled ceiling. Battlescar13 was the only guy who didn’t judge me. Sure, we’d never met in person, but I could confidently say that he was the only decent one left. Not that I could tell him that.
My profile picture was currently one I’d stolen from a random Internet search. A young guy with curly blond hair and green eyes, like mine. He was my male counterpart and the only reason I was able to play in Battlegrounds without being constantly harassed by the other dudes.
Not that Battlescar13 would do that. His profile picture was Dwight from The Office. We’d been playing together for months and chatting online. He was my age. Loved playing video games and hated the sludge that came from the posers in the battle rooms. That was all I needed to know.
It didn’t take long before the ding of my phone had me whipping my neck back down so I could read the screen. It’d been like this for months. I was becoming so attached to this thing, I was starting to wonder if my hand would become attached to the back of my phone.
Battlescar13: I’d feel sorry for you, but I’m playing on the ice tonight.
Might lose a finger too.
I groaned before I typed again.
Me: Tell me you’re not into hockey.
Battlescar13: Dude – I’m the best guy on the team.
You should come to the game.
We can finally meet in person.
It’s at Rock Valley High.
Panic darted through me as I stared at his messages. I’d known Battlescar13 was from the area, but I’d never considered until now that he could actually go to my school. It couldn’t be possible. He was obviously hassling me. There was no way the only online friend I’d made was here. At Rock Valley.
Mentally, I scoured my memory of who played for the hockey team. Not a single one of them came close to Battlescar13’s level. Most of the guys were jerks, like the twins. He had to play for the other team.
And even if that were true, there was no way we could ever meet up. Not when he thought I was some dude online. After Michael Corrigan’s comments, I’d never live it down if word of that came out.
Closing the app, I slipped it back into my sweatpants pocket and hurried back to my bench seat next to my friends. Anxiety was all I needed to keep me warm now. Several minutes went by and then both teams came back onto the ice. My eyes darted over their helmets, as I wondered if my online friend was telling the truth. He’d never lied to me before. Why would he start now?
“Hey, Beth, are you sure you don’t want some coffee?”
I turned to see Lexi watching me carefully, concern etched in the line between her eyebrows. Her eyes darted down to my knee that had been bouncing nervously ever since I got back from my concession stand run. I laughed nervously and forced it to be still.
“I think I’ve got already plenty of energy, don’t you? Probably shouldn’t have any caffeine.”
“Um...yeah.” She squinted at my face and studied me. It was a look I got often from her. Usually, it was followed by a plea for me to allow her to give me a makeover. I’d flatly refused that offer at least a dozen times.
“Look, Lex, they’re about to start.” Zane wrapped his arm over Lexi’s shoulders, redirecting her gaze toward the ice.
I let out a nervous breath, glad to have dodged another makeover request by my best friend. It was hard to tell her no. Even harder to explain to her why I didn’t think even her amazing talent with an eyeliner pen could make me look good.
My gaze returned to the ice. The other team wore blue jerseys. Sucking my lower lip between my teeth, I watched them pile back into their bench. If I had my guess, Battlescar13 would be proudly wearing his favorite number on his jersey. But there was no number thirteen on the opposing team. As my attention slid to our side, I immediately caught sight of thirteen in big, bold black numbers on the back of a white jersey. He was lining up in the center, where the puck would start.
“Lexi, who’s that guy?” I pointed at number thirteen, my anxiety climbing. Could that be Battlescar13?
“Why? Do you think he’s cute?” She wagged her eyebrows at me suggestively.
“Not a chance,” I shot back. Her smile dulled slightly, which made me feel a little guilty. Lexi was always trying to fix me up with someone. She probably felt guilty for being so happy in a relationship while I was perpetually single. “I’m just curious. Do you have the listings?”
“Hmm, let me check.” She looked down at the program in her lap. Running her gloved finger down the line, she paused at a name printed in black. “It’s one of the Corrigan boys.”
Dread washed over me. It couldn’t be. I felt the blood leave my face and pool in my loudly thumping heart. “Which one?”
Not that it mattered much. A Corrigan boy was still a Corrigan boy. If Battlescar13 truly was one of the twins, there was no way I could continue engaging with him online. I’d lost a close friend in the blink of an eye.
“Looks like number thirteen is Gabriel,” Lexi said, glancing up at me. “You know, he’s in my Economics class. Never says a word. I’m not really sure he can talk. No one knows what’s going on up there in that brain of his.”
Subconsciously, I nodded along to her words, but my brain was reeling. Lexi was wrong. If my suspicions were correct, there was one person who’d caught a little glimpse inside that brain of his and she was sitting right here. Not that it counted for much. Now that I knew I’d been chatting with a Corrigan twin for months, it was all over. There would be no more glimpses behind the curtain.
Still, as the game began and Gabriel took possession of the puck, I slid my phone back out of my pocket to see the message notification on the screen. Against my better judgement, I reopened the Battlegrounds app to read it.
Battlescar13: You’re going to miss a heck of a game.
But I’ll be on again tomorrow.
You’d better be there. We’ve got tourneys to dominate.
I can’t do it without you.
Indecision raged through me as my gaze flicked from the screen to the hockey player currently bowling down the ice with his stick, darting toward the puck. Gabriel managed to snag it and a few seconds later, he shot it into the goal, scoring the first goal for the game. The siren sounded and I squeezed my eyes shut as I typed off a swift answer.
Me: I’ll be there.
With that, I shut my phone off and slid it back into my pocket. Maybe I’d entered into a whole new complication with Gabriel Corrigan as my online battle partner, but there was no reason
to think he’d figure out who I was. I just had to keep my cool, as always, and keep my identity under wraps.
“I’m not sure I like hockey,” Charlotte said as two players rammed into the walls of the arena in a battle for the puck. She grimaced and covered her face with her hands.
Lexi flinched, too, when another guy slammed into the first. “I think I’m with Charlotte. Isn’t this a bit...violent?”
“Exactly!” both guys answered simultaneously, grinning.
I smiled to myself, knowing that my best friends didn’t understand my gaming, either. That’s why I’d found a friend like Battlescar13.
He didn’t know who I was, and it was going to stay that way.
And just maybe, I’d find out a way to work this friendship to my advantage.
The Corrigan boys had been a thorn in my side since we were kids. It was time they learned that I didn’t always play nice. And that a girl like me could take them on, anytime, anywhere.
They’d never see it coming.
***
Thank you for reading!
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Much love,
Lacy
Make sure to check out the next in the series, Lexi’s story – Dare You to Catfish the Hockey Player – and order it here before it returns to full price.
Excerpt From Dare You to Catfish the Hockey Player
Chapter 1
Girls can’t game.
That was the note I’d found shoved in my backpack long ago in the sixth grade when I’d gotten my very first Playstation from Santa for Christmas. Those words, hastily written on wide-ruled notebook paper, were inked like tattoos on the back of my eyelids. Every time I went to sleep, or dozed off in class, I’d see that scrawled handwriting. It was meant to scare me away.
It was a good thing I didn’t scare easily.
“Can’t you take it easy for a second, Beth? Give a bro a chance.”
Dare You to Chase the Soccer Player (Rock Valley High Book 5) Page 19
