Wolfe and Rebel walk off to explore the grounds and Reid has Holland laughing about some stupid joke, so I walk off and try to find my own fun.
I’m checking out the pool when I hear, “Hey, hockey player.”
I turn around to see the girl from the beach this afternoon. At least I think it’s her. She nods and I walk over.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” she says.
“I wasn’t sure I would either, but my friends are here,” I say.
“Guys, omg, this is Cole Davis from Westfall U,” she says to her friends, who grin at me. “Wow, I’ve read about you,” one of her friends says as she twirls her hair.
“We all have,” another one says. My guess is that these chicks are puck bunnies.
“Nice,” I say, because I’m not exactly sure what to say and the word comes out like a question.
The girl who invited me, Kat—her name is Kat, I say to myself—tells me to have a seat. They are all congregated on some lounge chairs by the pool. She pulls out a bottle of tequila from under a chair. “Are you up for some shots?”
“Why the hell not,” I say and some of the girls squeal. I should be flattered but I’m not. This scene is getting old.
I down some shots and feel that Kat moves in closer to me. She begins to kiss my neck and I feel like I’m crawling out of my skin.
“Um.” I quickly stand. “I’m just going to check on my friends.” I rub my hands on my jeans.
Kat frowns. “Come back soon. We were just about to have some fun.”
My guess is that I’m missing out on a threesome at least, but I could be wrong. Still these girls don’t hold my interest because all I can think about is the leggy brunette with round doe eyes, who barely said a word on the ferry ride over here. She is hurting over her father and I know the sting of what that feels like. My father sees hockey as a waste of my time. Not as a real job. Holland’s dad, on the other hand, has an amazing daughter who wants to be a doctor. She just also wants to live a little. The man needs to learn balance and not be such an asshole. Not that I ever met the guy, but the way he stood on their porch a couple days ago telling her not to come on the trip, demanding her to stay and do the internship, was controlling and insane. Holland is a twenty-year-old woman with a mind of her own. A good one at that. She just needs some space to live and take it easy. I spot her still talking to Reid. For some reason it makes my blood boil. I realize that whatever I’m feeling must be intensified by the alcohol. Watching Holland’s head tip back as Reid says something to her. The way she holds her wine glass. Her finger drawing circles along the tip of it. I don’t know what they are talking about but there is no way I can just walk over and interrupt them. Problem is, where do I go? If I head back to Kat, she’ll be all over me. I realize that it’s not a real problem, but it is when she isn’t the girl I want. Oh shit. I want Holland, but that can’t be possible. I’m confused. That’s what this is. I don’t like that she doesn’t remember our night together.
This party fucking sucks but only because I don’t have my friends from the team here to party with me. I choose to walk around aimlessly, making sure to stay away from the area where Kat and her friends are. I find Rebel and Wolfe. Finally. They are talking to some players from the Boston football team. I join the convo but this night is dry as shit. I’d rather just go back to the inn, which says a lot. A dude pours some shots and I get in on those too. Might as well. Nothing better to do.
Thirteen
Holland
“You want to tell me why you’re working at the inn?” Reid says like he just tasted a sour lemon.
“Yeah, it’s been fun and eye-opening. I wash the linens and change the beds, we basically cook every meal,” I say proudly.
“Really,” Reid sounds flabbergasted. “So you have a nanny, yet you’re doing the job of one? I don’t get it. No wonder your dad was pissed about you taking off on him.” His lack of understanding is a complete turn-off and makes my stomach twist.
“It’s not like that. I wanted time for myself. I’ve been the perfect student since high school,” I explain.
“I remember you in high school. Beautiful and smart. That’s a hard package to find,” Reid says, and I flush at the compliment. Or maybe it’s this second glass of wine. There is no way I’m ever getting as drunk as I was at margarita night ever again. I don’t like not remembering the details of my night.
“Thank you,” I say. “And it’s been fun working at the inn. I’ve learned a lot.”
Reid scoffs, “Learning to cook is something I’m guessing you won’t need for your interview to med school.”
I’ve had enough of this guy. At first he seemed nice, and dare I say charming, but now he’s coming across as a spoiled arse.
“I should really go see where my friends are.” I smile but in reality, I hope he takes the hint that our time together is over.
“Let me help you find them,” he says. “There’s all kinds of people here, I was pretty open with my invitation.”
Nope, hint not taken. “Where are you parents anyway? Don’t they care that you’re throwing this size of a party on their property?”
He ropes his arm over my shoulder and my gut instinct is to shrug it off, but I don’t want to be rude.
“Nah, they’re in San Tropez now, they travel Europe every summer. Leave me with a huge allowance to do whatever the fuck I want, as long as I don’t bother them. It’ll even cover the damages caused by the party,” he laughs ,his head tilts back just a little. He’s so pompous. For some reason my mind drifts to Cole. He grew up wealthy and he’s so down to earth. He gets me and spending time with him is easy. Not that it matters. We’re friends and I don’t think that will last past this vacation.
I walk around trying to spot Rebel or Wolfe who is tall and tends to stand out. It takes a few minutes before my eyes land on them.
“There they are,” I say, sidestepping away from Reid and hoping he gets the hint that I want to be with my friends and not him, but he doesn’t take the hint as we walk up to the group Rebel, Wolfe, and Cole are hanging out with.
Rebel spots me. “There you are.” She hugs me.
“You’re drunk,” I laugh.
“Happily so,” she agrees.
Wolfe rolls his eyes playfully.
When I glance at Cole, I see his face is stone cold.
“Having fun?” I ask him.
“Not a bad time.” He nods, gritting his jaw and eyeing Reid. I can tell by the way he’s talking that he must have drunk quite a bit too.
Rebel introduces me to her new friends. Reid places his arm back over my shoulder and I am getting claustrophobic just being near him.
“Excuse me,” I say to Reid. “I need to go to the ladies’ room.” I really just need my space from him. I don’t remember him being so clingy when we were kids or that douchey.
Reid tells me that there’s a ladies’ room by the pool. He offers to walk me there and I vehemently oppose him, telling him I’d really rather go on my own. Rebel offers to come with me but I assure her I can find it myself. I slip away from the group, feeling relieved when Reid doesn’t follow.
I find the bathroom inside a pool house. I step into the main area of the restroom and touch up my lip gloss and fluff my hair a little now that it’s fully dry. I leave the pool house and walk right into Cole standing at the entrance.
“There was someone waiting when I left the washroom,” I say to him.
“I came to make sure you were okay. That douchey friend of yours walked this way after you and I wanted to make sure you were safe,” he says. Funny that I thought the same thing of Reid.
“Thank you, but it isn’t necessary,” I assure Cole.
He stands with his hands in his pockets. “So you having a good night?” he asks, rocking back on his heel. He’s giving me weird vibes.
“I don’t know. I guess it’s all right,” I say.
“You looked like you were quite comfortable with Reid, was that his name?” Co
le says and I wonder what’s gotten into him.
“He’s okay,” I say.
“He was all over you,” Cole says with distaste.
The way his green eyes shimmer against the moonlit sky makes my heart skip a beat, but I try to ignore it.
“Was he?” I respond with nonchalance.
“Did you like him all over you?” he asks his tone gruff, and my skin warms because I don’t know what’s happening but I like Cole being protective of me. I like that he came here to check on me. I like the way his shirt hugs his fit chest and arms and the way his jeans form to his thighs and ass. I like everything about Cole Davis, but it doesn’t matter.
“What kind of question is that?” I laugh.
“A question that I want an answer to,” he says and he’s serious.
“What’s gotten into you?” I ask him.
“You,” he answers, surprising me.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask.
He digs his teeth into his plump lower lip. “It means that maybe I can’t get the night we spent together out of my head.”
My jaw drops because those are the last words I’m expecting from his mouth.
“I-I- don’t. . .”
“Don’t say it. I’m very much aware you don’t remember it,” he says and he’s really offended.
“Cole.” I take a step toward him.
“Don’t.” He lifts his hand. “You know every girl on campus wants a piece of me. Hell, I could’ve probably had at least four girls at this party tonight, probably all at once,” he says and I cringe.
“Gross.”
“Not the point. The point is, how am I so unmemorable to you?” he asks.
“I drank too much. Do you mind enlightening me on what happened? I seriously blacked out and don’t have a clue.”
“Shit. Seriously?” he asks, and he looks alarmed.
“I’m sure whatever happened I wanted it. I just don’t remember it,” I say, and he blows out a breath and his shoulders deflate.
“But why don’t you remember it?” he asks. “Every girl remembers me. They always come back for more. You don’t remember me. . .” he says. Yes, he is cocky and a little self-centered, but he is also sweet and caring and a good friend I remind myself.
I don’t know if it’s the wine in my system or his clear sense of feeling rejected by me but I take a step toward him.
“What are you doing?” he asks warily.
“I want to jog my memory,” I say.
“How?” he asks and his brow furrows. He watches me like I’m a skittish cat and for some reason I like throwing this handsome hunk off his game.
I tug his shirt, pull him toward me, and press my lips to his. At first, I sense his confusion, but then he realizes what is happening and wraps his arms around me and our lips move together. Gentle and slow at first, until a fire sparks low in my belly—deep and hot—and the kiss grows faster as we take and give. Just like that I’m transported back to the night he won the Frozen Four and we were at a nightclub celebrating. We kissed that night and it was just as electric, just as charged with the chemistry boiling between us that I wanted to hump him on that damn dance floor. Before I know it, my mind has drifted to the party at his house. Me grinding myself against him on the staircase as he carried me up the stairs, our lips locked. His taste and the way he possessed me with his kisses, sucking the breath right out of me, but that’s it. That’s all I remember when I feel two hands pushing my shoulders back.
“You better stop that, beautiful.” He grins, his lips swollen and wet.
“I didn’t think you’re the type to complain,” I say breathlessly. I notice his shoulders rising and falling rapidly.
“That kiss was hot and…” He looks down at his crotch. “I’m hard as a fucking rock for you but there’s no way we can take this any further, so we have to stop.”
I feel the pout forming but I don’t want to give him satisfaction so I say, “Don’t flatter yourself, this wasn’t going to go any further.”
“So what. . .are you going back to Reid now?” he asks sounding a little pissed.
“For someone not interested in me you sure seem interested in what I plan to do next or should I say who?” I cock my brow. I don’t actually plan on doing anyone, but getting a rise out of Cole causes a spark of excitement to ignite inside me.
He groans, “There is no way you can want that guy.”
“How so?” I ask, feeling intrigued by what he has to say.
“He is a spoiled-ass douchebag,” he answers.
“Are you describing yourself?” I snicker.
“Funny,” he mock laughs. “I may be spoiled, but I’m not a slime bucket like that dude. I don’t even hit on girls. They come to me.”
I try to think of the night of the party at his house. We were hanging out. I can’t really say he came on to me. We had fun and I know things progressed, I just wish I remembered it. Dammit. I would have liked to see that cock of his. Rumors are it is glorious. I realize I’m ogling him.
“I would say a penny for your thoughts but I’d be willing to pay much more,” he chuckles.
“Jerk.” I smack him playfully in the shoulder.
“Let’s just go find Rebel and Wolfe,” he suggests.
“So you don’t want to discuss why me hanging out with Reid was eating you?” I ask.
“Fuck no,” he says.
“Fine, you’re right. Just ‘cause you’re a good kisser doesn’t mean we would have taken that further. I heard your whole spiel back in the inn about not wanting a relationship. Well, I have news for you too. I am completely anti-relationship. Like they totally suck and I would never be in one. Besides, my life is upside down and another complication is the last thing I need.”
“Hold up, you just said I was a good kisser,” Cole says.
“That’s what you remember from everything I’ve said?” I ask.
He laughs and throws his head back. “Fine, I’ll take the compliment and move on. Glad we are on the same page, beautiful.”
“You need to stop calling me that,” I scold him. “We’re friends so call me by my name.”
“Ah! So I made it into the friend zone. Yes,” he hisses. “But I still reserve the right to call you beautiful because you’re seriously hot.”
“You do realize that is not how friends speak to each other, right?” I say as we approach Rebel and Wolfe.
“Did you guys just admit to being friends?” Rebel squeals, unable to hide her excitement.
“Kind of,” Cole says. “She’s growing on me.”
“He isn’t so bad,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Glad to see you two finally getting along,” Wolfe laughs.
“What do you say we get out of here?” I ask my friends.
“Where should we go?” Rebel asks.
I check my watch to see it’s after 2:00 a.m. By the time we catch the ferry back it will be close to three in the morning.
“To sleep.” I yawn. “We have to be up at the ass crack of dawn to get the order from Sylvia.”
“And I need to be at the shop,” Wolfe says and he yawns.
“You guys are party poopers,” Rebel whines.
Wolfe kisses the top of her head.
“You two are so annoying to be around,” Cole jokes.
“Right,” I agree. “They’re too mushy.”
“Fuck yeah,” Cole jeers, and he lifts his hand for me to high-five him. I do.
We head back on the ferry and Rebel is out like a light on Wolfe’s shoulder. The wine hits me too and I find myself yawning.
“You can lean on me, friend,” Cole says to me.
“I’m fine,” I say.
“Don’t be like that,” he scolds me.
I lean my head on his shoulder and he wraps his arm around me, which feels nice, because there is a cool breeze coming off the water and I was feeling cold. My eyes lull shut and I take in his fresh woodsy scent. I ignore the feeling in my chest as I drift off to sleep.<
br />
Fourteen
Cole
The week goes by in a blur of working at the inn and hanging out on the beach. My phone buzzes, waking me from sleep, and I realize I was having a nightmare that I was being chased by a giant-sized lobster.
I pick up my phone to see that it’s Granny Mae. I answer the call, “Morning.”
“Oh, I can tell by that voice I woke you,” she says.
“What time is it?” I ask because with the phone to my ear I can’t see the time.
“It’s already 10:00 a.m. I was sure you had to be up serving breakfast. Did you make those blueberry pancakes I gave you the recipe for yesterday?”
“Oh shit. I mean darn. My alarm didn’t go off. I was supposed to be up hours ago,” I say.
“Okay, I won’t keep you. Just wanted to let you know your father called me to see how you’re doing. He said he sent you some messages that went unanswered,” Granny Mae says in that tone of hers that shows disapproval.
“I was going to get back to him. I was just taking a break.”
“You can’t take a break from a father. He loves you, Cole. No matter what or how many mistakes he’s made, you are his flesh and blood. You need to forgive the man,” she says.
“He hasn’t ever asked for forgiveness. He’s never explained himself. Hell, he didn’t even tell me he was getting married when he showed up with Amber,” I state. “But I don’t want to talk about it. I’m having fun here just relaxing and hanging out with friends.”
“Any prospects for a girlfriend out there?” she asks.
“Granny Mae,” I say chiding her playfully.
“Oh come on. You know I can’t help myself,” she says.
“Would it make you feel better to know I’ve made friends that are girls? I mean just friendship but I’ve never done that before. It’s a different dynamic than with the guys,” I say also, because I get hard-ons from being around Holland. Just thinking of her in that turquoise bikini she had on yesterday makes me want to. . .
Ruthless Player: A College Hockey Romance (Westfall U Series) Page 9
