Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
"So, you and Tolliver Stone, huh?"
Hazel dropped into the space next to me, shot me a sideways glance then bounced her brows.
"It's not like that," I said.
"Oh, really? What's it like?" she asked.
I honestly had no idea how to answer.
After a beat, I said, "We met a couple days ago. He gave me a concussion."
Hazel's eyes went wide in surprise.
"On accident," I added. "Totally an accident. A basketball was involved."
"But he doesn't play basketball," she said slowly.
I nodded. "Trust me, I know."
"This sounds super complicated. Tell me more."
I laughed softly at her enthusiasm. "Well, I also hurt my wrist which means no playing violin and no tour. We're in this weird phase where he feels guilty, and I'm trying to convince him not to. He keeps showing up, wanting to do things for me."
"Sounds awful," she deadpanned.
"It is," I insisted.
"At least you got a ride home out of it."
I nodded. "But I wish he would leave me alone."
Hazel studied my face. "Why? Do you have something against him? Besides the concussion thing, I mean."
"No," I said with a sigh. "I'm just depressed about the tour and my mom."
"Ah, that does suck," she said with sympathy in her gaze.
That look confirmed what I already knew.
She'd heard what I said earlier to Tolliver, and now, she and I were outside sitting on a bench as all the kids filtered out, getting picked up by their parents.
I hadn't seen Tolliver since he dismissed them, but somehow I knew he wouldn't leave me behind.
"This whole summer sucks," I said.
"Maybe Tolliver could make it suck a little less," she said back.
"What do you mean?"
"Use him."
"What?"
Hazel shrugged. "You said it yourself. He feels guilty. I bet he'd do anything you want."
I frowned.
"Isn't there anything you need?" she asked.
"Not really."
"Okay, but you think he's hot, right?"
"I mean, objectively speaking, he's not that hard to look at," I said, feeling my cheeks flush.
"Wow," she said with a laugh. "So, that's a yes."
I scowled in response.
"Well, he obviously thinks you're hot."
My gaze snapped to hers. "What makes you say that?"
"I saw the way he was looking at you in there," she said. "Pretty sure everyone did."
"How was he looking at me?"
"Like he couldn’t wait for practice to end."
Was that true?
"He's usually all about the kids, but his eyes were eating you up the whole time," she added. "Sparks were flying out on that ice."
"Now I know you're joking," I said.
Hazel just shrugged. "Believe what you want. But having a hot, nice guy like Tolliver at your beck and call? I bet most girls would be all over it."
I lifted a brow. "Would you?"
"Oh yeah," she said, surprising me. "I have a ton of things on my to-do list, like moving heavy boxes around my room, taking out the trash, driving me to and from the library, getting me coffee in the morning.
Not to mention, it would be nice to have someone to run ideas by about my writing.
I might even let him hold my book as I read. "
"Tolliver is my unofficial page turner," I said.
"Genius," she replied.
"Thanks."
"But I bet he'd do more if you let him."
No doubt he would.
Did I want that?
"I'll think about it," I said, meeting her gaze. "Thanks, Hazel."
"I didn't do anything," she said.
"Seriously, my cousins are all busy with their own stuff this summer, so I don't really have anyone to talk to."
She lifted a brow. "What about Tolliver?"
"Yeah, but I miss this," I added, gesturing between us. "Having girl friends is vital. You know?"
"I do." Hazel sighed then dug her phone out of her pocket. "Listen, I usually hate these things, but desperate times."
My phone pinged a second later.
I looked at the screen and saw that I'd been added to a group text.
It was called The Society of Awkward Delinquents and Bad Lyricists Underwriting Eulogies and Sorrow.
Also known as the S.A.D. B.L.U.E.S.—the unofficial/official name of our writing group—Hazel came up with it to try and keep people away.
But the attempt failed. She also said she'd been going for Edgar Allen Poe meets Taylor Swift—which I, personally, thought was a success.
"All five of the girls from the group are in there," she went on. "If you need us, we're just a text away."
Water filled my eyes as I read the first message.
Hazel: Hey. Freya's struggling this summer. Decided to make our group a lifeline.
Scotlyn was the first to reply.
Scotlyn: Oh no! I hope everything's okay.
Then Ana...
Ana: Obviously, it's not if we've all been added to the evil that is a group text.
Then Lola replied.
Lola: Hang in there, Freya!
Lola: Also, I hate group texts...but maybe not this one :).
Ana: I guess I agree.
Hazel: You better.
Ana: Whatever's going on, I'm here for you, Freya.
Hazel: See? Was that so hard?
I typed out a quick response.
Me: Thanks, you guys <3. I'm here for you too!
In front of me, Hazel groaned.
Hazel: Ugh, it's so sweet. I think I'm going to be sick.
Ana: Hey, you started this.
Scotlyn: I love this group!
Lola: Me too!!
Me: Me three!!!
Hazel: I regret it already.
"Not really though, right?" I asked.
Hazel merely shrugged, but I thought I saw a grin on her face as she pocketed her phone.
"Looks like your ride's here," she said as Tolliver's black SUV stopped at the curb. He jumped out, rounding the car, and she laughed softly.
"What?" I said.
"You're in so much trouble," she said back.
Before I could respond, Tolliver was there, pulling open the back door.
"Sorry it took so long," he said. "Had to wait until the last kid got picked up."
"No problem," I said then turned to Hazel who was grinning. "See you around."
She nodded. "I hope you find something to make your summer suck less."
I returned her smile and said, "Yeah, I hope you do too."
Tolliver looked between the two of us. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Nothing," we said in unison.
"Okay..." He shot Hazel a puzzled smile. "Next time, don't disrupt my practice, Haze."
She scoffed. "You were plenty distracted without me being there. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever seen you that distracted, Tolliver."
He rolled his eyes and turned to me. "Freya, you ready?"
"Yeah," I said and walked closer to the SUV.
He was still holding the door open, but I stopped in surprise when he offered his other hand palm up to help me inside.
I placed my good hand in his, and as those warm, strong fingers wrapped around mine, my breath caught.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
"Mm hm," I murmured, stepping inside and taking a seat.
His touch lingered, but then as if realizing we were still holding hands, he drew back and cleared his throat. As Tolliver closed the door and went to the driver's side, Elle said, "Well, that was interesting."
She was sitting next to me in the backseat, studying my face, having apparently watched the whole thing.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Freya," I said.
"Yeah, but who are you to Tolliver?"
"No one."
She arched a brow in disbelief. "If that's true, why is my brother so flustered?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but Eli, in the front seat, beat me to it.
"Because she's so pretty," he said.
I scoffed. "I'm really not, Eli. But thanks."
"Welcome, Freya."
Elle was still studying me from her seat. "Are you friends with Hazel Kowalski?" she said next.
I thought about it then said, "Yeah, I guess we are."
She nodded. "She's cool. I guess that means you are too," she said as Tolliver slid into the driver's seat. "I'm Elle."
"I know. Eli says you're his favorite."
Her eyes gleamed. "That's because he's the smart one."
Eli laughed, and Tolliver turned around to face us.
"How's it going back there?" he asked.
"We're fine, Tollie," Elle said, sounding bored. "All the introductions have been made. Can we go now?"
"We have to wait for Hudson." Tolliver threw me an apologetic glance. "He texted to say he's on his way. Freya, you still good to wait?"
I nodded. "Of course."
"Awesome," Elle said, and it was impossible to miss the sarcasm. "Think he'll have a girl attached to his face this time?"
"Let's hope not," Tolliver muttered.
"He's so gross sometimes."
"I like Hudson," Eli said. "He takes me out go-carting."
"That's cool," I said.
"It would be cooler if he wasn't doing it to hit on the girls who work at the park," Elle said.
"He likes hanging out with me," Eli insisted.
"No, I like hanging out with you."
"Hudson does too."
"I'm sure he does," I said. "I've only known you for a little while, but I like you already."
"Thanks, Freya."
He got out and hopped in the backseat with us, and I scooted closer to Elle to make room. His sister gave him a look.
"I thought you called shotgun," she said.
Eli sniffed. "I want to sit by Freya."
"Can't blame him for that," Tolliver said and threw me a smile. "Okay, if Hudson's not here in five minutes, we're leaving without him."
Elle grinned at that. "I'll start the clock."
Literally seconds later, Eli said, "There he is!"
And we all watched as a boy who looked a lot like Tolliver but with a ton more swagger walked towards the SUV, only stopping when he spotted Hazel.
He detoured to her then. I could've sworn I heard Tolliver say, "Just keep walking," but his brother didn't heed the warning.
The window was down, and we were close enough to hear every word that was spoken.
"Hey," he said with a self-assured smile. "You waiting for me?"
Hazel didn't even look up. "Does it look like I'm waiting for you?"
"Kind of."
Hudson shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. The move was a good one, possibly even practiced, with the way his dark strands caught the light, his jaw held at just the right angle to show its sharpness, his biceps seeming to flex, and the look he hit her with from beneath his lashes at the end.
Unfortunately, Hazel missed it all because she was still ignoring him.
"So, you want to hang out sometime?" he asked.
"No thanks," she replied, and he blinked.
"Huh?"
"Did I stutter?"
Elle smothered a laugh at that, lifting her phone and saying, "Oh, this is too good."
I didn't know if she was recording or taking a picture. But I had to admit, watching Hazel ignore the obvious attempts of this playboy, Tolliver's brother or not, was entertaining.
Undeterred, Hudson tilted his head. "Need a ride? There's room in the back. I'll sit with you, so you won't be lonely."
She scoffed.
"Or you could always sit in my lap."
Finally, Hazel lifted her eyes and faced him head on. "That is never going to happen."
His smooth smile was back. "Why not?"
She cocked a hip as he stepped closer.
"I think we could have a lot of fun."
"I know who you are Hudson Stone."
"And?"
Hazel leaned closer. "Never in a million years," she said sweetly. "But thanks for taking time out of your busy playboy schedule to notice me. I'm honored."
Her brother, Kayden, broke away from the group of guys he'd been talking to and called her name from across the parking lot, then Hazel shook her head and walked away. Hudson watched her until she got to the car. He didn't stop looking even as they pulled out of the parking lot.
"You getting in or walking home?" Tolliver said which seemed to snap him out of it.
"Yeah," Hudson said as he slid into the passenger seat and shut the door. "Did you see Hazel Kowalski?"
"Yep."
"She's looking good this summer, right?"
As he pulled onto the road, Tolliver said, "Give it up, Hudson. Haze is never going to go out with you."
"Never say never," he replied.
Elle laughed. "She's too good for you," she said.
"Thanks, sister. You're the best."
"Thank you for that crash and burn. Funniest thing I've seen this week. I got it all on video."
Beside me, Eli chuckled and repeated, "Crash and burn."
"You too, Eli?" Hudson said. "I thought we were on the same team."
"Yeah," Eli said, "but it was funny."
"Damn right it was," Elle said. She and Eli reached across me for a fist-bump then made it explode with a swooshing sound. It was the cutest thing.
"Whatever," Hudson said, turning to face the back. "I wasn't—"
His eyes lit on me, and he smiled slowly.
"Hey, there."
I lifted a brow.
"And who are you?" he said.
"She's Tolliver's friend," Eli said. "And mine too."
Hudson kept staring at me, looking far too interested. "I didn't know Tolliver had a friend," he said.
"It's a new thing," Elle said. "Don't make it weird."
"I would never," Hudson said with mock offense. Then he held out his hand. "I'm Hudson."
"I heard," I said with a laugh and shook his hand.
No tingles raced across my skin, no sparks like the ones I got whenever his older brother touched me. Those must've been Tolliver-specific. The realization should worry me, but I decided to ignore it for now.
"And you are?" he said.
"Freya," I said back.
His eyes flared with something I couldn't place, and he glanced at Tolliver before turning back to me. "So, you're Freya."
"Yep, that's me."
"Pretty name."
"Thanks?" I replied, leaning back. Hudson was still giving me this strange look.
"Unique too," he added. "Don't you think so, Tolliver?"
"Eyes front, Hud," Tolliver said. "She doesn't want you hitting on her."
"Are you sure?"
Hudson's eyes sparkled with mischief as he threw me a wink, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Put your seatbelt on," Tolliver snapped.
With a sigh, Hudson turned around. "Okay Mom, whatever you say. But for the record, that was probably one of the only times I wasn't flirting."
Tolliver grunted.
"Hey Freya, you should come to the evening camp," Hudson said. "If you're not doing anything."
"I don't think—"
"Yeah, you should," Elle said, cutting off whatever Tolliver was about to say. "It's for the older players. But come tomorrow night. They're scrimmaging, so you'll get to see some real hockey."
"Hey," Eli said, "I play real hockey!"
"I know. You're awesome, E."
"The best in his age group," Tolliver added.
"The best squirt in 10U," Hudson said and gave his little brother a fist-bump which seemed to appease Eli.
"Will you come?" Elle asked.
"She's got better things to do," Tolliver said from the driver's seat.
I shot him a glare. "I can answer for myself," I said.
"Yeah, she can," Elle said.
"Yeah," Hudson echoed then laughed when Tolliver smacked him in the stomach.
As Tolliver's eyes caught mine in the rearview mirror, he asked, "Do you really want to go?"
"Will you be playing?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Then I'll be there."
Tolliver's brows furrowed. "Okay then."
"Let's hope you're better at hockey than at basketball," I said which made everyone laugh.
And that was how I got roped into my first hockey game. Scrimmage. Whatever.
Tolliver's eyes were crinkling at the corners, his lips tipped up, so I couldn't regret it.