As the second intermission started, Siobhan and I made our way up the stairs, heading into the concourse to stretch our legs. And, hopefully, to regain feeling in our lower halves. In addition to being cold, the arena seats were rock hard and my butt had gone numb. We might as well have been sitting on the ice surface down below.

She sighed. "Maybe the third will be better."

"I hope so." I wasn't sure either of us really believed it, but it was possible that Chase decimating Luke would be good for the Falcons' morale. Or Chase's morale, at least. I pointed to the pink sign at the far end of the hallway. "I just need run to the bathroom quickly."

"Okay," she said. "I'm going to hit the concession for a hot chocolate. I'm going to turn into Elsa soon if I don't get something to warm me up. Do you want me to get you one, too?"

"That would be great, thanks." It would pale in comparison to the hot chocolate from End of the World with Chase, but Shiv was right—the arena's chill had seeped into my bones. At this point, I'd have drunk plain hot water just for the warmth factor. Next time I was at Northview, I would have to remember to bring a blanket.

When I turned the corner to exit the women's bathroom, my gaze landed on Amelia and Jillian standing outside. Icy dread flooded my entire body faster than I could blink. Couldn't escape them at home, couldn't escape them at the arena.

Then I noticed that they were wearing short skirts with bare legs, which struck me as highly impractical given the venue. Heck, even my outfit wasn't cutting it, and I was in jeans with a flannel button-up shirt beneath my puffy coat.

Jillian's eyes flickered over to me and she nudged Amelia, leaning in to say something under her breath, burgundy-painted lips moving silently. I was just in the process of walking around them when Amelia turned, glowering at me with heavily made-up eyes.

"I'm sure you'll be happy to know that your boyfriend just injured Luke."

She wasn't entirely wrong. It's not like I was broken up about Luke leaving the game.

Pivoting a quarter turn, I came to a stop and straightened my shoulders. While it may have been two on one, at least I had height on my side. Now that we were face to face, I was more perplexed than ever by their nightclub-esque makeup and outfits, but I didn't care enough to ask.

"And?" I gave a one-shoulder shrug. "Refs saw the whole thing. He'll do his time in the sin bin for it."

Nothing more could be done, anyway; it was too late to review the call. I supposed the Bulldogs could try to make Chase answer for it during the third period. Operative word being "try," as so far they hadn't been all that successful in actually hitting him—aside from a single cheap shot from behind. I was going to take that up with Derek later.

Amelia jutted her delicate chin, eyes flashing with anger. "Well, he might be out for more than just this game, thanks to Carter."

"Oh." I kept my tone flat, face impassive. Was I supposed to care? Luke could retire for all it mattered to me. In fact, I'd welcome it. Then I wouldn't have to see his face any more at games.

My gaze traveled behind them, searching for Shiv in the crowd. Maybe I could text her.

"He was gunning for Luke. It was a super dirty hit," Jillian added, voice dripping with contempt.

Cue record screech. I'd seen a million dirty things on the ice tonight and the majority of them had come from the Bulldogs.

I leveled them with a steely glare. "You're joking, right? Did you see Paul take a run at Chase? The only difference between Chase's hit and the one Paul attempted was that Paul missed."

Amelia's face darkened, because I'd struck a nerve by bringing Perfect Paul into the argument. In her eyes, he could do no wrong. Probably because was second in line for the throne after King Luke.

Plus, the fact that Paul had taken himself out by mistake was more than a little embarrassing.

"Totally different," she snapped. "Everyone knows Carter's cheap."

As Amelia finished her sentence, Siobhan walked up holding a cardboard tray containing our drinks and overheard the last part of our conversation.

She bristled, glaring at Amelia. "What's your problem?"

"What's yours?" Jillian butted in, putting a hand on her hip.

Shiv raised a sculpted eyebrow, wielding a disdainful "you're beneath me" look in a way that would rattle even the most confident person. Being knockout gorgeous like she was always helped with the intimidation factor, too.

"Chase is my friend. And hockey is a contact sport," she said, like they were the dumbest people on earth. "Put on your big girl panties and get over it."

A bark of laughter escaped my mouth and I tried to disguise it as a cough, clearing my throat. Jillian opened her mouth to respond, quickly closing it again. Amelia narrowed her eyes as she tried to formulate a retort. A beat passed and background chatter from people milling around filled the silence between the four of us.

"Well, this has been unpleasant," I said cheerily. "See you later."

I wasn't interested in whatever comebacks they were eventually going to offer, as I knew they would just be more digs aimed at Chase.

Shiv and I turned, beginning to weave back through the crowded concourse. She handed me a hot chocolate from the tray and removed the other one, tossing the tray into the blue recycling bin beside her.

"Sorry for butting in," she said, making an apologetic face. "Who was that, anyway?"

"Um, no one important. Just my roommates."

They'd be no one soon enough. Practically counting down the days until they were.

"No wonder you want to move out," Shiv muttered. Then she spun to face me, her turquoise eyes wide. "Oh my god. Wait, did I just make life miserable for you? Holy shit, I have such a big mouth."

"Can't be much worse than it already was." If anything, putting them in their place lately had seemed to help keep them in check. A few months ago, I probably would have let them run me over and cried every night. "Let's just hope we find a place soon, or we'll both be living with the guys."

*

Halfway through the third period, it was starting to look like there might actually be hope. Chase got a shorthanded goal, assisted by Dallas. The energy in the arena shifted...until the line changed. Then the defense completely fell apart and they immediately let in another goal for the Bulldogs.

From over on the bench, Chase shook his head, clearly frustrated.

For the remaining ten minutes, the Falcons made an admirable effort to make a comeback. Chase was practically killing himself trying. But it wasn't enough, and the clock ran out with a score of 5-3 Bulldogs.

My heart dropped. Damn.

To be fair, they had been on a long winning streak until now—losing eventually was unavoidable. But the timing wasn't great. I hoped this wasn't going to ruin Chase's mood for us hanging out later.

Or doing other things later.

I wasn't sure what those things might be, yet.

As people filtered out of their seats, I let Shiv know I was going to see my brother quickly and shot Chase a text saying the same. Then I waited by the visitor dressing room, not particularly caring who I might run into. But I didn't see anyone, anyway, because Derek was one of the first out for a change.

"B?" Derek shot me a confused smile as he emerged from the hallway. "What are you doing here?"

My irritation ramped up a notch. Of course he wouldn't know, because we had barely spoken in weeks.

"I was here with a friend watching Chase."

He frowned. "Carter?"

"Yes, Carter. And what the hell was that with him, anyway?" I gave him a little shove. He stumbled backward, clearly not expecting it.

Regaining his footing, he shot me a look. "What are you talking about?"

"Hitting Chase from behind." I gestured angrily. "That was dirty."

"Refs didn't seem to think so." Derek shrugged, but there was guilt on his face. I knew that he knew he'd been wrong.

"You and I both know they miss stuff all the time," I said.

"Why are you so upset about the other team?"

Other team? I didn't play for the freaking Bulldogs, but okay.

"Why are you starting shit with Chase just to impress Luke?"

"I'm not," he said. "It's part of the game."

I stamped my foot. "Bullshit, Derek. You never make hits like that." I could count the number of times Derek had made an overly aggressive hit on one hand. You couldn't even try to tell me it hadn't been personal. It definitely was.

"I still don't understand why you're hanging out with Carter." Derek shook his head. "Are you cheering against us now, too?"

"Maybe I am." I drew in a breath, exhaling heavily. "Just don't, okay? If you're not going to take my side, the least you could do is stay the hell out of it altogether."

Spinning on my heel, I turned and walked away. I navigated around the throngs of people crowding the arena lobby, impatiently side-stepping anyone in my way. The confrontation with Derek had soured my mood; now the noise and bustle of the crowd was wearing on my last nerve and I was eager to get out of here.

In the distance, my eyes landed on Chase, standing with a group of people. I couldn't make out who else he was with, but he was grinning, appearing largely unfazed by their loss.

My stomach fluttered, emotions softening at the sight of him. And other, more primal parts of me started to respond as I drank in his broad shoulders and tall frame, clad in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. Six feet and three inches of beautiful, muscular male and he was all mine. I was more than a little happy to be going home with him.

Though I wasn't entirely sure what was going to happen when we got there. I had been mulling that one over for a few days now, torn between brain and body and heart.

But my mood soured again as I emerged through a small clearing to discover a pretty brunette to Chase's right, hanging off of him. Or trying to, anyway.

She laughed, tilting her head back to showcase dazzlingly white teeth framed by bright red-lips. Don't get me wrong, of course Chase was funny, but she was clearly playing it up. Then she leaned in, placing her hand on his forearm.

I stiffened. Whoever this girl was, she was way too comfortable with touching him, in a way that made me deeply uncomfortable. Chase withdrew his arm and took a step back, looking about as uncomfortable as I felt.

But she didn't appear to be taking the hint. At all.

My chest tightened, heart starting to speed. I tamped down on a movie reel of flashbacks from my former life that began to play through my head. This was not the same. He was not the same. I did trust him, as difficult as it was.

Despite that, I had the nearly overwhelming urge to turn and walk the other way.

With no small amount of trepidation, my feet continued to propel me forward. Finally, I came to stand beside Chase, gently touching his firm shoulder.

"Hi," I said.

He swiveled to face me and his eyes lit up. "Hey, baby." Ducking down, he gave me a quick peck on the lips and put his arm around my waist, pulling me against him. His familiar scent enveloped me, firm body warming mine, and the turmoil within me started gradually to calm.

Chase nodded to the girl. "This is Kristen. Kristen, this is James. My Bailey. I mean, Bailey, my—" he faltered, brow creasing. "Girlfriend?"

He immediately looked sheepish, which made me break out into a ridiculous, goofy grin. I probably looked like I belonged in a toothpaste commercial. But Chase was rarely anything other than confident and completely self-assured, which made his slip especially endearing.

Not to mention, girlfriend did have a nice ring to it.

As my eyes landed on Kristen, my smile went from real to fake. I was sure it didn't reach my eyes, but I could pretend to be polite, at least. "Nice to meet you."

"You too." She smiled back at me, but it didn't reach her eyes either. I had a feeling I was going to have to get used to that.

*

As we walked up to Chase's truck, he reached past me, opening the passenger side door. Then his hands landed on my waist and my entire body thrummed in response to the contact, warmth flooding my veins.

He leaned closer, mouth finding mine, and I closed my eyes as my lips parted against his. The kiss was soft and brief but loaded with promises about later.

We pulled apart and I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows teasingly.

"Did you just give yourself a promotion back there?"

He looked at me like he didn't know what to say. I think it was a first for Chase. Immediately I felt bad, because I thought he would have bantered back with me.

"I didn't—"

"I'm just messing with you, Carter," I said softly. "I like it. I mean...if you like it."

He grinned, squeezing my waist. "I definitely like it."

A rush ran through me, excitement mingled with desire. We stood in silence for a moment, both smiling.

"Movie night?" I asked.

"Sounds perfect."

We both knew we weren't going to be watching a movie. At least, not first.

Girlfriend?! Is that adorable or what?

I mean, maybe they're just going to cuddle. But... probably not.

One other note, because I don't think I made this clear as far as ages for:

Shiv - sophomore

Bailey, Chase, Dallas, Tyler - juniors

Derek, Luke - seniors

Derek is 15 months older than Bailey