32. Blaine
Chapter thirty-tw o
Blaine
M emories from three years ago stir, playing in my head like a movie.
“Why the long face?” An unfamiliar sultry voice coos, startling me.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump. I just got here.” The bright-eyed, blonde hums. Her radiant face and intense green eyes are as unrecognizable as her siren-like voice.
“No worries,” I murmur. “I just didn’t know anyone else was inside. The party’s out there—in case you missed it.”
I’ve been avoiding going out to the party with the team. A sense of unease sits in my gut. I’m not one of them. Sure, one of the freshmen I was with most of the day while visiting the school invited me, but I don’t belong out there. I’m not a Wyvern, not yet anyways.
Whenever my mind thinks of the possibility of finally playing college hockey and escaping my life, peace floods my senses. I really hope to be a Wyvern.
When I graduate next year, I can finally escape my deranged family. That fills me with more joy than I’ve felt in years. Well, except for when my skates hit the ice and my mind is focused on only one thing—the game.
I swear my mother and her new husband—I guess I really should stop calling him new after eight years, but I refuse to call him my stepfather—will throw money at anything if it means not having to spend actual time with me or my sister.
Even though my mother claims they love us all the same, she and her new husband have their own kids now.
Works for me.
I’ll take their money.
“But you didn’t answer my question?” The alluring voice pulls me back to WMU’s campus. She brushes her curly golden locks behind her hair, strutting over to stand opposite of me behind the counter.
“Hmmm?” I genuinely forgot what she asked, getting lost in my own thoughts.
“You don’t seem to be having a good time.” In one swift movement, she swipes my hat, placing it backward on her head.
“No, I mean,” I fumble for words, lost in the striking green eyes that just hat-napped me, “it’s not like that. I just don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“Don’t come to hockey parties often?” she asks, cocking an eyebrow at me.
“No. Can I have my hat back?” I run my fingers through my disheveled hair, knowing it won’t help much.
“Me either. They suck honestly. Where’s your girlfriend?” She inquires as she places the hat forwards on her head, instead of handing it over.
“Doesn’t exist,” I grumble nervously.
“Lucky me.” A sly grin slides across her angelic face.
“What’s that?” She points at the beer in my hand, clearly knowing alcohol is inside the red solo cup.
Willingly passing her my cup, I hope the alcohol distracts her so I can swipe my hat back.
I don’t care how hot this girl is, she makes my blood boil with irritation .
“Got anything other than beer you can share with me?” She winces, taking a sip.
“If you go join the party, I’m sure there’s plenty of whatever you want out back.” I lean over the counter and snatch my hat back.
“Hey, that was a cheap shot!” she shouts after taking another drink of my disgustingly lukewarm beer that I’ve been sipping on for the last hour. “And I don’t want to go outside. Hockey parties aren’t my thing.”
“Two things you should know about me, mystery girl. One, if there’s an opportunity, I’ll always take the open shot. Two, I don’t let anyone take my hat.”
“Typical hockey player.” She rolls her eyes at me as I readjust my hat back on its rightful place atop my head.
“I don’t play for the Wyverns,” I correct her, but curiosity takes over me. “If you don’t want to go outside to the party, why are you even here?”
“Great question,” she mumbles. Sadness and confusion cloud her face for a flicker of a second.
“Keep the beer.” I turn to head back outside to reluctantly rejoin the party.
“You’re just going to leave me here?” She whines loudly, seeking attention. “That’s not very nice.”
A hollowness starts to linger in my chest. This stranger saying I’m not nice hits me in a sore spot.
College will be a fresh start for me, even if technically I haven’t started yet.
It’s not official I’ll come to West, but I don’t want anything to ruin my chances of making sure I’m not pegged as the bad boy or asshole like I was in high school.
“Would you care to join me, m’lady?” I extend my hand out to her chivalrously.
With unexpected force, especially from such a petite girl, she takes my hand and pulls me to her, our bodies mere inches apart.
“I wouldn’t mind sharing something other than a drink,” her whisper tickles my ear and sends blood rushing to my groin .
It’s been so long since I had that type of release . . . The season hasn’t even started yet and my stress level is consistently rising. With a shake of my head, I try to release the thought. I’m trying to rebuild my reputation.
“Sorry, mystery girl, I’m not that easy.” Putting some distance between us, I decide to try to have an actual conversation. “What’s your name?”
“I never said you were,” She pouts. “I’ve never seen you before, and you said you’re not on the team.”
“That’s accurate,” I respond, deciding not to tell her I’m just visiting campus. If she knew I was just a senior in high school, I doubt she would pay me an ounce of attention. Playing it cool and trying to strike up a conversation again, I tell her my name.
She slowly saunters closer, closing the gap between us, causing heat to rush to my groin. I should back away but no one has turned me on like this in, God, I don’t even know how long.
“Don’t you want to go to the party?” The words fall out of my mouth almost in a slur, distracted by how close this green-eyed flirt is to me.
“Not really.” She shrugs. She brings her lips so close to mine, they almost touch. The warmth of her breath grazes my face. “I would much rather have a party for two.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischievous delight as she leans into me, daring me to make the next move, but I stand my ground. This girl likes to play games. I can play along.
“So, B.” She emphasizes the nickname she just bestowed upon me. “Do I have to steal your hat again for attention. Or are you going to take me home?”
Each word out of her mouth is like a siren’s song, seductive and dangerous.
“Tell me your name.” My voice is a low growl demanding instead of asking her name. This girl plays games; I can play too.
“If I tell you my name, are you going to be my prize?” she croons, wildness flickers in her eyes .
My lack of response doesn’t sit well with her, she pushes her body against me. Her glimmering green eyes look up to meet mine. They are the color of greed, desire, lust.
As I nod agreeing to her terms, she whispers, “It’s Renee.” Each word softly vibrates my lips with how close her mouth still is to mine.
“I live two blocks away,” I quickly lie. I might not live there but the dorm room I’m staying in while I visit is two blocks away. She seals her mouth against mine, greedily opening my mouth with her tongue. My hat lifts from my head just as she breaks our embrace. She puts it on. Again.
Her body presses firmly on mine, my erection growing as she pushes her hips against me. She leans over and whispers seductively in my ear, “If I give you the hat back, will you wear it while you fuck me?”
Stunned into silence by her promiscuous ask, I don’t respond.
A mischievous grin spreads across Renee’s face as she gives me back my cap and yanks me to the front door to leave.
Frantically taking off my sock, I put it on the door handle and locking the dorm room door.
Renee giggles. “I didn’t know people actually did that. I thought it was just in movies.”
Hell, if I know. I’m not even in college yet. My shoulders shrug in response to her.
Renee takes a slight step back from me. “You don’t think anyone will come in, right?” Her eyes are wide with what looks like fear. “We can’t get caught,” she mutters under her breath.
“Would be the first time someone ignored that signal.” Confidence fills me as I nod toward the door acting like I belong on this campus and have girls in my fake dorm room frequently.
Dragging a chair from the desk in the corner, I place it in front of the door to reassure her. Then, double check it’s locked—despite knowing I locked it seconds ago.
“Oh.” A devious smirk slides across her face. “You use that signal often? ”
Shrugging in response again, I discard my shirt in the corner of the room, making sure to put my hat right back on.
“Well, B.” Her hands move seductively across my chest, sending shivers of desire to every nerve ending in my body.
Her lips find mine, kissing me as if she needs me to breathe.
Her hands push against my chest, guiding me toward the back of the room.
With a gentle shove, she pushes me onto the bed while taking her dress off in one swift, seductive motion, “Those girls aren’t me. ”
Just like when I first met her, Renee sucked me back into her web like a venomous spider capturing her prey tonight. But it’ll never happen again. I used her, just like she used me. Nothing more, nothing less.
Now, I need to focus on hockey and being the best fake boyfriend Libby could ever want. Every fiber of my being needs her to say yes to being my fake girlfriend at the Beer Olympics.
I can’t be lured by Renee’s siren song again.