SIN-BIN (Sinners on the Ice #1)

by Anastasija White

I don’t think love at first sight exists, but I believe in annoyed at first sight, and Colton is exactly that. He’s obnoxious and self-centered, and I’ll gladly keep my distance. He’s bad news.

“But Thompson is another level.” “I have no idea who you’re referring to.” “Colton. Colton Thompson. He’s a heartthrob.” “He’s an asshole, and my hand stung after I slapped him across his stupid face.” I’m so proud of myself. My best friend halts in her tracks, looking at me with her eyes wide open. “You slapped Colton? Like really slapped him?” Her voice is high-pitched, and I frown.

“Which girl?” “From last night. The freshman.” “The one that I fucked? Or the one that fucked you up?” Involuntarily, I grit my teeth and press my palm to my cheek. It freaking stung for an hour last night,

“Why is it always about sex with you?” “Because I’m young, dumb, and broke,” he says. “Can I come hang with you?” “Are you suggesting we Netflix and chill together?” I snort, hearing silence in return. Then he murmurs, “Sorry, man, you’re not my type, like at all. I hope you understand.”

“Is she hot?” My best friend’s gaze darkens. That’s not what amazes me though. Drake’s reaction is interesting, to say the least. “She is,” he rasps, narrowing his eyes. “But she’s off-limits.” “That’s ridiculous. I totally get it when it’s your sister, but her best friend?” “Her best friend is also off-limits. That’s final.”

A wild guess crosses my mind, but I keep my mouth shut. It’s too early to draw any conclusions. For starters, I need to see the girl and Drake together. Somehow, I’m sure I’m right.

“Well, a little introduction won’t hurt, right?” Layla chimes. “Even if you already met.” “Meaning?” her brother asks, furrowing his brow. “It’s not the first time I’ve met your sister’s best friend.” Clay’s eyes travel down her body. “This beauty refused to tell me her name. Right, Ava?” “Circumstances, you know?” The girl smirks, and my best friend snorts. He’s loving their interaction, how she responds to him, while I feel annoyance spilling into my veins.

“Why?” Drake asks, locking eyes with her. At that second, it hits me. I’m so right. It gives me an ace up my sleeve, because I’m one hundred percent sure Layla doesn’t have a clue about her brother and her best friend. My body warms up, and I almost grin from satisfaction. You chose the wrong guy to piss off, girl. “Does it matter?” She tilts her head to the side, narrowing her eyes on Benson. “Nope,” he utters, taking a sip of his beer.

Layla looks at Clay and me then back. “Be nice. She’s precious.” “And gorgeous,” Clay purrs.

She takes a deep breath and turns to face her best friend. “I want to dance.” “Um…oh, well, let’s go dance then.” Layla takes her hand, and a second later they both disappear from view. “Looks like you’re free to do whatever you want.” Clay claps Benson on his back. “Your babysitting hours are over.” “You don’t know her.” Drake shakes his head, then he runs his palm over his face. “I pissed her off.” “And?” “And I better go and find more beer.”

“Are you planning his murder?” I ask, and Drake spins to look at me. “I can lend you a hand, if you want it.” “No,” he laughs. “Just observing.”

“Looking at you, I thought you were planning the best way to kill him,” I remark, and Benson only shakes his head. “Definitely not.” He sighs and then adds, “I wasn’t even looking at her.” “No?” I frown, watching the crowd with more attentiveness, and a moment later I know what he means. The freshman is dancing near Layla.

I grab her palm roughly, and she tenses. Her eyes open, and her pupils dilate. “Get off the table.” The girl snatches her palm away; her face contorts in anger. “No.” “What do you mean, no?” Is she fucking serious? “No means no,” she retorts, ready to turn away from me.

We stare at each other in silence for a good minute. Her skin is smooth and soft under my calloused palms. Her chest rises and falls, the goosebumps visible on her exposed stomach. Up close, her eyes look emerald green, framed by thick black eyelashes. She has a birthmark on her right cheek, and I almost smile staring at it. What the fuck is wrong with me? I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder. I trudge straight to the front door. My palm rests on her ass, keeping her skirt down.

“Does your sister know you fucked her best friend?” “Fuck off, Thompson,” Benson hisses, slamming the door behind him. I stare at it for a few seconds, thoughts swirling in my head. I was right about them, his answer didn’t leave me any doubts. Strangely? I don’t feel excited anymore.

Apparently, she must’ve grabbed it. I guess I hadn’t locked it when I shoved it in my pocket before carrying her out. The girl left a message for me. I stare at the screen for a few seconds. Then I burst out laughing, squeeze it back into my jeans, and make a beeline for the kitchen. It’s time to bring the guys the beer I promised. Her silly text is on my mind. Duck you. Autocorrect changed her message, making it completely opposite from what she intended it to be. She’s funny though.

“Do you want to date someone from the team?” He cocks an eyebrow at me, and I shake my head. “It’s not about dating. Or anything. I want to be free to do whatever I want.” I lick my lips nervously. “With whoever I want.” Drake holds my gaze, not saying anything at first. Then he just nods. “Okay. I’ll make sure to let guys know you’re available.”

I clear my throat, and tear my gaze away from her chest. “Do you really think I’m stupid?” “I barely know you,” she murmurs, taking another step down, “but something tells me that yes, you’re stupid.”

“What are you hiding then?” She cocks an eyebrow. “Why are you sneaking away this early? Don’t you like cuddles?” “That’s none of your business,” I bark, gritting my teeth. She breaks into laughter. “I have places I need to be.”

I hold her gaze. My breath quickens as I fidget in place. Then the realization hits me: I want her, and that makes me aggravated. I won’t touch her. The feeling of her skin still lingers on my palms. I remember how soft it was. I swallow the lump in my throat, confused by my own emotions. It’s not right. Any of it.

There’s something about her—I don’t even know how to explain it. I feel different when she’s around, and I don’t remember ever experiencing anything like it.

“So you just spent the night with the guy, alone in his room, and nothing happened?” “I don’t even know why I’m having this conversation with you. I don’t owe you anything, but I’ll say it once more, just for Drake’s sake.” She steps closer, looking up at me. “If you think that a girl can’t spend a night alone with a guy without something happening between them, then that’s who you are. You measure people against yourself, and not everyone is like you. Remember that. I’ve known Drake since I was a toddler. I’ve spent night after night at his place. I’ve hung out with his sister and him alone more than once. He’s family.”

“Energetic.” My best friend takes a sip of her soda, casting her gaze to the side. “Energetic?” I repeat, putting my fork on my plate. “It sounds like…I don’t even know, like you’re talking about an old man who surprisingly had enough energy to fuck you.”

I take my packet of M&Ms and put it on the table. It’s my favorite flavor, with peanuts, but I also love the milk chocolate ones. Nothing beats a classic, in my eyes. I plop one candy into my mouth and meet Clay’s amused gaze. “What?” “Colt!” he bellows, and my brows instantly pinch together. “Come over for a sec.”

“What do you want, Rodgers? Aren’t you going to sit with us?” “Soon.” Clay’s face lights up with a lopsided grin. “We still need to wait for Benson and Moore. There’s no harm in spending a few minutes in pleasant company.” “Questionable,” I mutter under my breath, and Layla laughs. “Aw, sweetie, you break my heart.” Clay presses a hand to his chest. He’s kind of adorable.

“Here.” Clay reaches over to my M&Ms, snatches the pack, and extends it to his friend. “Aren’t these your favorite?”

“Hey. Those are mine!” I shriek. He meets my eyes, a stupid smirk on his lips. “Not anymore.” With that, he goes back to his friends. What the actual fuck? “What was that?” Layla’s voice is full of amusement as her gaze stays glued to Colton. “Thompson loves M&Ms,” Clay explains, looking between us. “A cabinet in his apartment is packed with them. He’s more into the ones with milk chocolate, but he likes the peanut ones too. The classic.”

My best friend tsks. “Why didn’t I know that?” “Because you’re not his friend,” Clay says just as the door opens.

Now I feel stupid. If I’m right, and they slept together, how could he be okay with her dating someone from the team? Or even just fucking someone from the team? If she were mine, I’d never share her.

“She’s just what? As far as I know, Clay was there with you, and he doesn’t have any problems with Ava. Only you.” Only me. She doesn’t affect Clay the way she affects me.

“Your best friend asked my best friend on a date.” My brows furrow, and my jaw drops. I don’t know what surprises me the most: Clay’s invitation, or his fixation on this girl. Oh, look who’s talking, Mr. Boner in His Jeans. “Cool.”

What was the point of hooking up with Amy if I’m hornier than I was? Maybe because you chose the wrong girl, idiot? I hate my life and that girl. She’s the reason I feel like a fool.

“What happened?” His voice is quieter than I expect. He stops just behind my back, and goosebumps spread across my skin. “Nothing.” “Why did she throw her drink on you? It didn’t look like an accident.” He sounds strange. Almost like he cares.

“She knows I have no friends here.” “Meaning?” “No one wants to talk to me. Or even notice me. People act like I don’t exist.” I shut my eyes because my voice is trembling. Then I take a deep breath and look at him through the mirror. “That’s my life now.” “Why?” “Because they think you hate me, and no one wants to be on your bad side.” “My bad side?”

“Wait…” he mumbles, frowning. “They’re doing this to you because of me?” I turn off the faucet and examine my T-shirt. Nothing can save it. Its place is in the trash. “Are you seriously that dense?”

“Yes, Thompson, they’re doing this to me because of you.” “That’s bullshit. I never asked⁠—” “You sure are an idiot,” I snap, anger consuming me.

“Because I haven’t told him,” I counter, grabbing my backpack from the floor. The door opens, and a girl rushes inside, stopping in her tracks as soon as her eyes land on Colton and me. Her jaw drops as she gapes at us in silence. “Get out,” he orders her. Then he returns his attention to me. She doesn’t exist to him anymore.

Opening the door, I saunter out of the stall and halt in my tracks. His bomber jacket is lying on the countertop. Did he leave it for me? I hesitate, not sure if I should go for it. Then I brush my doubts aside and put his bomber on.

“If you meet a girl you like, one who causes your heartbeat to speed up, who is constantly on your mind, day and night; one who stirs such strong emotions within you that it is hard to control yourself. If you meet a girl like that, promise me you will bring her here and introduce her to me.”

I do love hockey…but I hate the ice and all the memories it brings.

The emotions she causes me are stronger than anything I’ve ever experienced, and that speaks volumes. “Yeah,” I murmur, taking another step in her direction and wrapping my arm around her waist. She gasps at the contact of my skin against hers. “Stay with me.”

“What’s the matter with you?” she demands, her hands dangling at her sides. “Why are you acting so nice to me?” “Because I’m nice.” I sway to the music a little, urging her to move with me. “Nice? Not the word I would use to describe you.” Her green eyes are dark and full of mischief. “Handsome? Hot? Well-built?” “Annoying,” she corrects me.

“I can easily change your mind.” I wink at her. “And I think you’re lying.” “I’m not.” She stomps her foot. “I don’t like you.” “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” I laugh. Then I go for it—my hand slides down and cups her butt. It’s the biggest mistake, because my dick instantly hardens. I grab her arm and turn her around, her back pressed to my chest. “I can be slow, as you said that day, but I’m not an idiot. You like me.” “I hate you,” she hisses,

“How many times have you dreamt about me?” I whisper in her ear, feeling her body tense up against mine. God, she’s so tiny in comparison to me, and it ignites an unfamiliar desire. I want to keep her safe. “Zero.” Her answer is curt. “Unlike you. Your hard dick poking into my ass kinda says a lot.” “I appreciate beauty when I see it.” My hand covers her belly,

“What are you playing at?” “Nothing,” I mumble, not sure I understand her reaction. “I just apologized to you.” “I heard that.” She puts her palm on my chest, and my heart starts pounding so hard that it echoes in my ears. She feels it too, as her eyes go wide. “Why are you… Do you really like me?” The girl sounds so surprised, and I feel uneasy. Does she think I’m such an ass that I can’t have feelings like a normal person? Shit. I’m a fucking idiot.

She takes a step back, putting more distance between us. “I need to give you your bomber. Can I⁠—” “I don’t care. You can keep it.” I wheel around, not letting her finish.

“Hey,” I say, and she looks up, focusing her gaze on my face. “Hey,” Grace echoes. “Why didn’t you come back to me?” “You and Colton were having a moment.” A smile stretches across her lips. “He has the hots for you.”

“Hey.” An arm wraps around my wrist, stopping me. I know it’s Thompson without even looking. “What happened?” “Nothing,”

“Are you going to tell me, or should I guess?” he asks, and I chuckle, still crying. “Dancing with you turned out to be a big mistake.”

Colton says softly, his long fingers tracing my jawline. “I don’t like seeing you so upset.”