"the art of eye contact"

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I hop out of my car and shut the door, walking to the entrance of Sterling's hockey rink.

The smell of popcorn, cold, and sweat invades my nostrils.

To be honest, I'm not sure where to go or what to do right now. I don't even know why Sterling needed me to meet him here, but it's different than usual which is kinda fun.

I spot the guys skating around on the ice and I walk into the stands, taking a seat in a plastic blue chair.

I pull out a book while I wait for Sterling to finish practice and I begin reading yet another beautifully constructed love story.

"Delaney?" I hear a familiar voice ask.

I turn around and see Theo not wearing skates or any of his equipment, just workout clothes.

"Hey Theo! What're you doing?" I question, confused on what he's doing not with the team.

"I have a shoulder injury so I had to do physio today. I'm finished and I've been waiting for the boys to come out but I think coach has them staying overtime today," he explains.

"Oh, so then it's a great day for me to be here waiting for Sterling to finish then."

Theo chuckles at my misfortune and takes a seat next to me.

"I see we have a romance lover on our hands," he glances down at the book I'm holding.

I nod at his observation, "You like to read too?"

"Of course."

The two of us sit together, talking about our favourite books while we wait for the team.

I smile to myself, grateful I'm not alone and that Sterling picks great friends.

I notice him look down at his phone for the third time and I remember Sterling's words from the other day, "Who's the girl?" I ask knowingly.

An almost unnoticeable blush coats his face and I know I've caught him.

"Can you keep a secret? I don't need the boys giving me shit for this yet."

"Always," I reassure him.

"You probably already know this anyway, but Aspen."

My jaw drops.

To the floor.

I can't believe she hasn't told me yet. I'm going to give her hell tonight about this.

"Like... My aspen?"

"Your Aspen, yes."

Holy crap.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize it works.

"Oh my god, I'm a match maker!" I beam.

"Well, we're just friends right now," he clarifies, but his face says otherwise.

"This is so exciting, Theo."

I gush over the new information my brain can barely process and I don't even realize when the boys get off the ice and finish practice.

"I'm going to get going, Delaney," Theo gets up from his seat, "but make sure to send me that list of books you recommend," he says as he walks away.

I open my book and start to read again. My hands go numb from the cold and I grow impatient.

Where the fuck is he?

"Sorry I kept you waiting for so long, Laney," Sterling startles me when he suddenly speaks behind me.

I turn around and look up at him. His face is still a little red and flushed from practice and his hair is damp from his shower.

"That's okay, darling, but you owe me because I sat here for half a fucking hour."

"I saw Theo kept you company."

"He did, and I know a secret, but my lips are sealed."

"Oh yeah?" Sterling mocks, mischief evident in his eyes.

"Yeah, but my lips are sealed pretty boy," my mouth works faster than my brain.

"Pretty boy, huh?" God, he looks so smug... and hot.

No Delaney. Stop it.

"I thought it could be another nickname for you. I know sometimes people like you who aren't blessed in the looks department can use some more confidence," I try and recover from my compliment.

"Hilarious."

"I try."

He looks me in the eyes and a crooked grin paints his face.

This whole eye contact thing he keeps doing is going to drive me crazy.

I see his expression flicker and he breaks eye contact, looking down at the book in my hands. "What book?"

I hide the book behind my back, "I don't think you would know it, considering you're illiterate and all."

"Wow, someone's getting ready to star in her own comedy show."

He leans down placing both his arms on either side of me, trapping me in front of him.

Quicker than a blink, he reaches behind me and seizes the book. "Aw Laney, you little romantic."

"Some of us have feelings, darling." I take the book back, grabbing it out of his hands.

"Holy fuck," he flinches, "your hands are freezing."

"Who's fault is that? It's like the fucking arctic in here."

He cups my hands in his and I immediately feel his body heat thaw me. Electricity runs through my veins and I don't miss how fast my heart is pounding.

Fuck, what is he doing to me?

We stay like that for a couple minutes.

He talks to me about why coach extended their training and I listen, basking in his warmth and presence.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I get back from my tutoring session and I open the door, instantly hearing the voices of my friends.

Theo's words flood my brain and I grow excited.

This should be fun.

I move down the hallway and sit on the couch between Aspen and Beth.

"So, Aspen" I begin, "got anything new to tell us?" I continue.

Her blue eyes look at me quizzically, "I don't think so, no?"

"Nothing about a certain brunette?"

The rest of the girls stare at the two of us, clearly not knowing what's going on either.

"A certain brunette with grey eyes?" I add on information.

Her mouth gapes open, "HE TOLD YOU?"

"I'd like to think I found out and he filled in some details."

"Ok, someone has to explain whatever you two are talking about," Beth desperately asks for clarification.

"I'm talking to Theo." Aspen admits.

I giggle as the other 3 girls scream.

"We started talking after we met at the game."

"That long and you didn't say anything?" Harper shrieks.

"Calm your tits, it's only been a few weeks."

"Well have the two of you fucked yet?" I laugh at Jemma's surprising bluntness and use of profanity.

Aspen takes the pillow beside her and covers her face with it, sinking down into the couch.

Friends my ass, Theo.

Beth and I jump up and down screaming at the top of our lungs while Jemma and Harper sit there speechless.

Harper takes the lead on the questions,

"Was it good?"

"How big is he?"

"When?"

"Was he your best?"

"How many times?"

"Are you going to do it again?"

I slightly cringe at the conversation seeing I now consider Theo a good friend. A good friend who's dick size does not interest me.

I laugh along with my best friends as I listen to the intimate details of Aspen's sex life.

While still dodging the unneeded details about the more intimate parts of their night, I learn about Theo and Aspen and their somewhat complicated relationship. Friends who had a mostly drunken one night stand that are now denying any feelings and sticking to the fact that they are still just friends.

We'll see about that.

Guys I typed this when my hands were freezing, hence the inspiration for the chapter. But I swear I could barely even move my fingers to write because they were so cold.

I knew what I was going to do in this chapter but I had the hardest time starting it. I literally wrote 4 different versions and hated them all.

Anyways... I started to explore a few new friendships with this chapter; Theo and Aspen and Theo and Delaney. If everything goes as expected and I finish this book, I'm planning on making Theo and Aspen's POV part of this series.

Thank you guys for everything. (Especially everyone commenting and voting <333)

Question of the chapter: How did you guys find this book? (Tikok, recommended, with the tags, etc)

Stay safe and healthy :)