After skating we go to an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. It’s the only way to go with hockey players; unlimited options and no cut-off point is the best.

Lily and I end up being invited back to Waters’ place, which means no sex until later. And I’m okay with that. It’s a good day, even if it’s not the naked kind.

I pull into Waters’ driveway. We’ve managed to get here first, so we have to wait for them to show up. I play with the lock of Lily’s hair that’s flipping out instead of curling under. It always seems to do that. “Can I ask you something?”

“The answer is no. Sunny and I have never experimented with each other,” she says immediately.

I choke on a cough. “Where the hell did that come from?”

“Now you’re imagining it, aren’t you?”

I laugh. “There’s no right answer to that, Lily.”

“Maybe you like the idea of me and Violet better. Her boobs are huge, and we’re closer to the same height.”

“Jesus.”

“Sorry. I’ll stop. You had a question.”

“Does that mean you’ve thought about experimenting with Sunny?”

“Ew. No way. She’s my best friend. Violet maybe, because of her boobs. Okay. Question. Shoot.”

It takes me a few seconds to remember it. It’s a decent segue anyway. “You ever have a thing for Waters?”

“Alex?”

“Yeah. Like when you were a teenager—you ever crush on him? You know, hook up with your bestie’s brother or whatever?” I try to come off as casual, but I’m pretty damn sure I fail, based on Lily’s expression.

“Did I ever have a crush on Alex? Oh my God, no! He was such a dork in high school. I mean, he was always really nice, but so, so nerdy. I can’t even tell you. Why?”

I shrug. “Just curious.”

“Just curious? Is this because of the skating thing?”

“You guys seemed to know how each other moves. I figured maybe you knew more about that than just what he was like on the ice.”

“I grew up with him, and Sunny’s my best friend. I never would have gone behind her back like that.”

I nod like I get it. Mostly I’m relieved. And I recognize that’s not necessarily a good thing—much like the jealousy this afternoon when they were on the ice. It means I’m getting attached. Comfortable. I’m not exactly sure why that’s happened.

I told her to tell me if things got too intense, but I have no idea what to do with myself.

Chapter 24

Slap Shot to The Heart

LILY

I’ve spent the majority of my time in Chicago with Randy, apart from the actual holiday and the hours during which he has practice or training sessions. We have such a great time together. And not just the sex, which is still so, so amazing. But this week we’ve spent as much time in a group as we did alone. He and Sunny get along great. Violet’s almost stopped thrusting when she says his name, and him and Alex and Darren and Miller are hilarious to be around. I’m still trying to figure out Lance.

It’s New Year’s Eve. Sunny and I are sitting in her living room, painting our toenails. Charlene and Violet are putting on blue eye shadow and acting like assholes.

“Alex says he can get you an interview for a coaching position, if you want it,” Sunny says.

I stop painting and sit back, wiggling my toes. I’ve been thinking about this all week. I want desperately to take her up on the offer; I’m worried it’s for the wrong reasons.

“Your mom’ll be fine without you. It’s only an hour-and-a-half flight. You can go back anytime you want.”

“I know.” Sunny’s right. This Tim-Tom guy actually seems decent, apart from the shirtlessness. He owns a small gym, he’s nice to her, and she’s happy—happier than she’s been in a long time. She met his family at Christmas. There’s talk about her moving in with him. I know she’ll say it’s okay for me to tag along, but it’s time to get out.

“Then what’s holding you back? Not the messages from Benji, I hope.”

“Your douchey ex?” Violet asks.

“Yeah, that’s the ex, and no, he’s definitely not a factor in the decision.” Benji has sent several texts and left a couple of voice mails over the past week. I sent one text back, because I’m not a total cold-hearted bitch, but I don’t miss being with him. I still have to give him his things back, though at this point I’m not sure I care about mine. It’d be easy enough to drop his junk off at his house and be done with it. I’ve already got closure.

“Okay. Good. Just checking.” Sunny draws a tiny little champagne flute on her big toe in silver. She’s incredible at painting pictures on nails.

“Can you fix mine when you’re done?” Violet lifts a foot. There’s nail polish everywhere but on her toenails, it seems.

“Of course. Do you want it to match the crazy you’re putting on your face?” Sunny asks.

“Yes! I can’t wait to send Alex pictures of what he’s missing tonight.” Violet grins, and she has red lipstick on her teeth. She’s wild at the best of times, but tonight she’s more so than usual, with Alex and the boys being at an away game. We all would have gone, but they’re flying back tomorrow, so we decided to delay the official celebration. Sunny and Alex’s parents also came in for the holiday, and there’s been more wedding talk. Tonight Violet and Charlene decided to re-create the pre-wedding makeup test run Daisy suggested. There are bottles of Aquanet on the table. Sunny says Violet’s not allowed to use them because they’re aerosol and bad for the environment.