Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Irritation ignites inside me.
This guy has some serious nerve.
I’m barely aware that Fallyn’s jaw has become unhinged as her gaze bounces between the two of us.
Refusing to back down, I shake my head.
Now it’s a matter of principle.
“No thanks.” I point toward the crowded table in the back that buzzes with puck bunnies hoping to get lucky and slant him a cool look. “You seem to have your hands full. My advice is to stick with the groupies. You wouldn’t know what to do with a girl like me.”
A roguish grin slides across his face that makes him look even hotter. “Is that so?”
I lift my chin a notch. “Yup. Accept defeat gracefully while you still have the chance.”
“Oh, I think we’re way past that now. Don’t you, firecracker?”
“Firecracker?” A gurgle of laughter escapes from me as my eyes narrow. “Do the cutesy names actually work for you? Is it so you don’t have to remember someone’s name in the morning?”
His blue eyes flash like lightning in a bottle.
It’s almost mesmerizing.
Before the situation can escalate any further, Fallyn picks up her loaded tray and turns to Colby. “Hey, look—I have your shots. Why don’t you follow me to your table?”
He continues to pin me in place with the heat of his gaze. I can’t tell if he’s ignoring Fallyn or if his focus is so great that her voice isn’t able to penetrate it.
It’s been a while since I’ve had anyone stare at me so intently. Even with the dim lighting in the bar, I have to force myself not to squirm beneath his scrutiny. It’s the first time since stepping foot on campus that I’ve felt unnerved. I shake away the panic that floods my system and remind myself that I couldn’t look more different.
My hair is no longer lavender in hue, and it’s shoulder length. I’ve changed it back to its original rich, caramel color and chopped off about ten inches.
After all these months of living in plain sight, I’ve gradually lowered my guard.
My hand rises automatically before I realize that there isn’t a ball cap to tug over the upper portion of my face. Air gets clogged in my throat as I steel myself for what will happen next.
Just as the atmosphere turns oppressive and I’m seconds away from bolting out the back door, Fallyn taps him on the shoulder to reclaim his attention. The fear holding me paralyzed dissolves when he glances at the waitress.
“Here’s the shots you ordered,” Fallyn presses. “Ready to head back?”
Colby’s gaze returns to me. “Yup. Let’s go.”
With one final look that skewers me to the core, he swings away, moving through the thick press of bodies with the ease of a king walking among his loyal subjects. People scurry out of his way.
Just as a relieved breath leaks from my lungs, he twists back around and recaptures my gaze.
“This isn’t over, firecracker.”
Even though I’m rattled, I force a smile. “Actually, it is. You’ve just been hit in the head with a hockey puck too many times to realize it.” With a tip of my beer bottle, I turn and dismiss him.
Taunting this guy is a terrible idea and yet, I can’t seem to help myself.
It’s almost a surprise when he whips around and follows Fallyn instead of making his way back to me.
The only thing I can say with absolute certainty after that explosive encounter is that avoiding Colby McNichols for the foreseeable future is now at the top of my to-do list.
2
COLBY
I throw another glance over my shoulder and stare at the girl who just shot me down in a blaze of glory. She and Carina have resumed their convo. Ford’s girlfriend looks as if she’s doing her best not to burst out laughing.
My guess is that she’s enjoying this.
It goes without saying that I’ll never hear the end of it.
Unable to help myself, my attention returns to the gorgeous girl with caramel colored hair as I silently will her to turn and meet my gaze.
She doesn’t.
Her disinterest is palpable.
I nod toward the bar and fire off the question before I can think better of it. “Who’s the girl?”
“Her name is Britt.” Fallyn’s dark brows draw together. “She transferred to Western last semester.”
My gaze slices to the chick who just trampled my ego without a second thought. “Hmmm. I don’t think I’ve seen her around. Pretty sure I’d remember if I had.”
There’s no two ways about it.
I would definitely remember.
Even though Fallyn is carrying a tray loaded down with shots, she twists around and pokes me in the chest with her finger. “Do me a favor and stay away from Britt. She’s not one of your puck bunnies.”
I flash a grin before nipping one of the glasses off her tray and lifting it to my lips. “Sorry, can’t make any promises.”