TEM

by and I find myself run

stant jabs about my b

-ass bitch. I don't know if it was the shock on my face th

when I told him I didn't have a

I've gotten used to him. Used to the big mouth, the offh

chill that bleeds under your skin and settles in your bones

mentioned the smell. The sharp bite of wet conc

crowd, someone spills beer and the sour tang drifts through the crowd and I feel lik

el like a complete moron as I shift in my seat, trying to keep warm

't know what hockey is even about except that it moves too

him about coming. And so, here I am-just a hoodie, jeans, and zero common sense-freezing my ass off becaus

kates into the ice. and suddenly, it's like the ga

fast, faster than someone his size should be moving. His presence is weighty and im

de, sticks clash. Luke is everywhere at the same time

s body, shoves a guy off balance, a

catching himself a

s he plays with an edge like he's daring you to stop

Luke is slammed into the boards so hard the glass rattles. A soun

think he might fall-but Luke doesn't hesitate. He surges

, gloves off, he swings. Luke smashes his fist into

p when blood is splattered across the ice. The refs dive in, pulling them apart.

. People are on their feet, s

*•*•*•

g my already numb hands into my pockets as deep

the roar of the crowd ringing in my ears, t

d the whole thing from the stands, watched him fight, score, take

ack to the dorm. I'm focused on getting home, on thawing out

ampus. He's jogging towards me, still in his underlayer. his perfect hair, pulled into a bun, is damp with sweat, stray lock

" he says a little out of breath " and you're comin

be around Luke's cockiness right now. "uh...

es with a raised

lly wounded him. In an instant, his arm hooks around

of soap and sweat stinging my nose. I twist, but his grip is solid, like he'

le bitch!, I told y

huffs in annoyance before

me anyway." then he

y? You look

ine. Ju

ar's warm and th