Chapter 6 #2
“He’s your boyfriend’s best friend,” she says beside me and stands, shouting and cheering when he knocks another guy into the wall.
Now, she makes me look bad.
Luca catches sight of us, and as quickly as his eyes land on me, they’re back on the ice, following the puck, chasing after it. As swiftly as he snatches it from the Wolverines, they knock it away from him.
It’s a long game, with zero score in the first period and lots of racing back and forth on the ice, chasing the puck.
The buzzer sounds for the end of the first period, and as the guys start skating off the ice toward the locker room, Luca strolls up to the plexiglass and gives me a wave.
“You came,” he says, breathing heavily. He’s covered in sweat and glances at his buddies, a few are waiting for him.
“I wanted to support you,” I say. It’s true, he deserves that much. It sucks knowing his father disapproves of his choice to play hockey. If we’re getting married, I want him to realize that I’ll always support his decisions, no matter what.
“I’m glad you’re here. Maybe you’ll be my good luck charm.” He offers a crooked grin and then hurries off the ice with the rest of teammates waiting around.
“See, aren’t you glad you bought a Narwhals jersey?” Kensley asks, nudging me. “Now you have something to wear at every game.”
“Every game,” I repeat. I hadn’t really thought about attending all of his games, but it would be fun, especially with Zeke. I’d have to get Zeke those cute baby headphones to block out the noise from the crowd, but I’ll bet he’d love to watch Luca play hockey.
The players return onto the ice, and Luca is unstoppable. He manages to steal the puck and races down to the goal without almost anyone on him.
He shoots and scores.
Excitement bubbles through the arena as he turns to look at me.
I’m on my feet clapping and cheering, wanting him to know that I’m his biggest fan.
“Louder,” Kensley chides into my ear. “He can’t hear you.”
She’s probably right, but I feel like I’m already screaming over the crowd.
The Narwhals beat the Wolverines, and as the game ends, Luca skates over to us. “Wait for us. We’ll be done in thirty.”
“Okay, sure.”
He skates to the locker room, and Kensley and I hang out while the fans begin to disperse.
It takes closer to an hour for Luca to return, but he’s beaming with excitement, and I’m incredibly happy for him. He comes out of the locker room but wanders through the stands, making his way to our aisle.
“You did great!” I say as he throws his arms around me. He pulls me into a hug, and for a moment, I can’t tell if he’s happy to see me or this is all an act because we’re being forced to marry.
For me, it’s never an act.
“Thanks. I’m really glad you showed up tonight. Thanks for bringing her,” he says to Kensley.
“It was all Harper’s idea,” Kensley says. “But I may have had something to do with these.” She points at our Narwhal’s jerseys.
Luca pulls me close against him, his breath mingling with mine before he goes in for the kill. His lips taste sweet and smell uniquely of sandalwood and amber. His hair is still damp from the recent shower, and a few drops find their way onto my skin.
I lean into him, my tongue seeking entrance into his mouth, momentarily forgetting that Kensley is standing beside us, and the world seems to melt away.
His fingers clench my jersey, keeping me tight and close. I swear I can feel his heart drumming through his chest.
Kensley clears her throat. “Should I just head home?” she asks.
I don’t want to break apart the kiss because I don’t know when Luca will kiss me again, touch me like he actually means it.
And I don’t know whether he means it. I suspect he’s faking our relationship in the same way he faked it with our parents.
There are feelings involved. I know he still cares for me, but he’s grown more distant lately, and it hurts me to wonder if I’ll ever truly have his heart.
“No,” Luca rasps, his breathing heavy as he pulls back from the kiss, ending our tirade.
I wish it had lasted longer. I could go all night just kissing him.
“The guys are meeting up at the house after the game. You’re welcome to join us, Kensley,” he says and takes my hand, intertwining our fingers together.
He brings our joined hands up to his lips, kissing my palm. Butterflies flutter inside my stomach, and I lean on my tiptoes, stealing another taste of his lips.
Because with Luca, one kiss isn’t enough. I’ve been craving him since the night we fell into bed together, weeks ago.
But those couple of weeks feel like months, years ago even, as I feel the urge to climb into bed with him again.
He smiles and kisses my cheek. “Are you girls riding with me?”
“If you’ve got room for both of us,” Kensley says.
“There’s always room for the love of my life and her best friend.”
He’s still acting, and damn, my heart falls for it every time.
Heading into his house, most of his teammates are celebrating the win. There’s beer being passed around, and Ashton is on the couch with Nova.
“Don’t let her drink!” Luca points at Nova.
“Oh, come on, I’m the same age as Harper now. You can’t boss me around anymore.”
“You’re still under twenty-one. Don’t you have school tomorrow?” Luca glares at her.
“Teacher institute day, whatever that means. I get the day off. Dad knows I’m crashing with you.”
“Wonderful,” Luca answers cooly. “I’m going to grab us drinks, be right back.” He drops a quick kiss on my cheek and hurries away.
He’s probably glad to get rid of me for a while. I anticipate he’ll be gone longer than just a few minutes.
Kensley nudges me and whispers in my ear. “Do you know who that girl is?”
“His little sister,” I say. Knowing who she is, there’s no longer any jealousy on my part. Turns out she’s fun to hang out with.
“Harper!” Nova’s eyes widen and she hurries off the sofa, coming over toward me. She throws her arms around me in a huge embrace.
I kind of have to admit that it feels nice. And the best part is it’s genuine, unlike Luca’s affection toward me.
I introduce Nova and Kensley. “Nova will be joining us next semester on campus,” I say.
“That’s great,” Kensley says. “Do you know what dorm you’re moving into yet?”
“No dorm. Luca’s mom pulled some strings, and we get to move into a property on campus, some house across town.”
“What?” Kensley glances at me. “You didn’t mention that you were ditching Quinn. How could you have forgotten to tell me that?”
I laugh under my breath. “I mentioned Zeke living with me, it’s not going to be in the dorms.”
“Oh, right.” Kensley pauses and nods. Her attention is back on Nova. “So, are you and Ashton—”
Does Kensley have a crush on Ashton?
Nova glances back at him on the couch and smiles. There’s something there —a smile that I hadn’t seen before. “We’re not, we’re just friends, but I mean, he’s Ashton Rinaldi,” she says with so much conviction that it’s hard to ignore.
“Got it,” Kensley says with a smile. “You like him.”
Her eyes widen in horror. “Shh! You can’t go saying stuff like that around here. You’ll get Luca riled up—”
“Sorry!” Kensley is quick to apologize. “I won’t say anything. Promise.” She locks her lips and pretends to throw away the key.
“Thanks,” Nova says and exhales heavily. She glances back at Ashton, and there’s definitely something that crosses her features.
Longing?
Desire?
Did something happen between the two of them?
Ashton has never mentioned it, but from what I’ve heard from Luca, he sleeps his way through campus, especially the freshman class and any girls who flirt with him about hockey.
But he never sleeps with the same girl twice, which has me worried for Nova.
If she actually likes him, I don’t want her to get her heart broken.
“Just be careful with him,” I say, keeping my voice low.
Over the crowd, it’s doubtful anyone else hears me, and I can tell that Nova is struggling to hear my warning.
“You don’t have to worry about me. Gosh, you and Luca are so much alike,” Nova says with a nervous laugh. “Are you going to be my next big, great protector? And to think I was about to ask you how you’re doing and tell you that I missed you this weekend.”
“I’m good, and I missed you too.” It would have made dinner a hell of a lot easier had Nova and her parents been there. Perhaps they could have been the buffer that we desperately needed.
I pull her in for another hug and whisper into her ear, “I need someone in my corner.” Nova is the only one I can undoubtedly trust.
Not that I don’t trust Kensley—she’s my best friend—but I can’t go telling her about what happened at Luca’s parents’ house.
I can’t speak of the missing little boy who I found locked in the basement or that his parents are mafia.
At least Nova knows all of it. She’s someone I can confide in and trust that she won’t get me killed.
At least, I don’t think that she has any reason to hate me.
Nova pulls back and smiles genuinely. She squeezes my arm. “You’ve got me, sis. I’m not going anywhere.”
Kensley watches with rapt curiosity, and then Luca saunters back, two beers in hand, offering me one.
“You offer Harper a beer but not me? We’re the same age, jackass.” Nova glares at Luca, and I swear she’s about ready to start a fight with him.
I hand her my beer. “Take it.”
“Harper!” Luca growls at me, and I shove her toward the sofa. “Go hang out with Ashton; keep him company. He looks lonely.”
Nova willingly takes the beer bottle but pretends to glare at Ashton and then back at me. “Seriously? Like I don’t see enough of him all evening.”
But from the looks and the conversation earlier, I genuinely suspect she’s as good at faking not liking Ashton as Luca is as good at faking liking me.
Luca is still scowling at me. “I can’t believe you gave her that beer.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry for much longer,” I say.
“Why’s that?” he asks and steps closer, invading my personal space. He brushes a strand of hair out of my eyes.
“Next semester, Nova and I will be living here, with Zeke.”