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Falling for your best friend was always dangerous, but this was the first time I thought my feelings for Paige might actually kill me.
Technically, that was true. I loved everything about Paige, even her crappy muffins. Apparently, love wasn’t just blind, it also had no sense of taste.
I couldn’t help it that every time she looked at me time seemed to slow, and I was briefly transported to an alternate universe, where my deep and secret feelings for my best friend weren’t completely one-sided.
“At least loud noises can’t kill you,” Reed added. “Maybe your stomach needs to harden up.” Not even my brother was allowed to insult Paige. “Oh, is that why she fed us cement mix?” I scowled at him, but he only smirked in reply.
I could barely admit how I felt about Paige to myself, let alone to anyone else. And those feelings needed to remain buried within me, hidden so deep I could pretend they didn’t exist. I was practically an expert at that now. I’d been doing it since the first time she’d smiled my way in second grade.
She was the human embodiment of sunshine, and what kind of selfish jerk would I be if I dimmed her glow with my dark, stormy clouds?
She was the girl I wanted in my life forever, and even if that was only as a friend, it would have to be enough for me.
It hadn’t turned out as I’d hoped. I’d fallen in poison ivy on the first day and Grayson, the thoughtful idiot that he was, decided I shouldn’t be in pain alone, and had jumped in the ivy too. We’d both spent the whole week itching and rubbing lotion on ourselves.
There was only one person with the ability to make an entire hockey team eat something, despite the fact it tasted gross, and that person was my best friend. Grayson Darling was in trouble. And, unfortunately for him, I was about to move into his house.
“I knew they might not be the best, but I didn’t think they were deadly. How could you not tell me? I thought we were always honest with each other.” “They weren’t deadly.” “Weren’t they?” “I’m alive, aren’t I?” “Well, the cute little mouse we found in my kitchen today definitely isn’t!” He looked like he was struggling not to laugh, but he managed to keep a straight face as he continued. “Your cooking did not kill a mouse. It must have died of natural causes.” “It was surrounded by muffin crumbs.” “Well, has someone conducted an autopsy?” “This isn’t funny, Gray.” “I’d never joke about
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“I think you might be the only person who can put up with him,” Parker continued. “If you don’t marry him, he’s going to end up old and alone.” “Don’t be ridiculous.” “You’re right.” He nodded. “It’s too late—Grayson already acts like he’s in his eighties.” “Parker!” “Paige!” He mimicked me before grinning. “Seriously, when are you going to put him out of his misery and date him already?” I shook my head. “Please don’t say that. You know we’re just friends.” “You sure about that?”
“So, you’re no good at math?” “I’m about as good at math as you are at hockey.” “Hey,” I complained. “I’m not that bad.” “Last time we played down at the lake, you hid behind Grayson the whole time.” “A smart tactic, if you ask me. I love you guys, but you know you’re all terrifying as soon as you step on the ice, right?” Parker beamed with pride. “Besides,” I added. “I like to think I make up for my lack of hockey prowess with knowledge. Most girls at our school go to the games just to watch you guys. They don’t know an icing call from an offside call.” “Sorry, Paige, that doesn’t count.” “It
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All I could think was that I’d happily put up with terrible cooking every night for the rest of my life if it meant I could be with Paige.
“You’ve been in love with her for years.” “No, we’ve been friends for years.” “Friends?” Reed shook his head at me. “You don’t look at her like she’s just a friend.” “Of course I do.” “No, Grayson. You look at her like her like she’s everything.”
“Like, Elliot Ford has a really great ass,” she added, pointing to him. “He’s a useless goalie, though,” I muttered. It seemed Grayson was out there saving his “great ass” at every turn today.
This is practically a medical emergency. You could die with untouched lips if we don’t sort this situation out soon.” She was being far too dramatic. “I’m not going to die with untouched lips.”
Gray: Just wear what you had on at the game. You looked perfect. Me: I was wearing your jersey. Gray: Like I said . . . perfect.
Cammie Darling’s room,” Bonnie said. “It’s not nearly as menacing as I expected. Where’s the coffin she sleeps in each night?” “That’s not very—” “Actually, I keep my coffin in the attic.” I jumped with surprise as Cammie walked through the door behind me. I had no idea she was home. “I like to stay close to my pet bats.”
She scowled at me. But her scowl was just about the least terrifying thing in the world. It only made her look cuter.
My heart was breaking for her, and in my mind I was practically screaming that I wanted her. I’d always wanted her.
I wish I had a guy to light up over.
“My cousin Mia found the photo and set it as my caller ID picture, so it pops up whenever I call her. She said she needs the daily reminder to never settle for a guy that would give her a cold sore.” “That’s pretty solid advice,” I admitted with a grin.
“That’s only because I don’t want to kiss you. If I did, I’d be acting like a total gremlin right now.” She laughed. “A gremlin?” “Yep. Glowing red eyes, pointy horns, sharp claws. You’d be running for the hills.” “Well, maybe some guys are into that sort of thing.”
“Let’s just avoid going near Cammie,” I said as we set out. “Watching her spin is making me feel ill.” “Are you really that bad?” “Only when I breathe.”
He answered my question by spinning around in front of me so he was skating backward while holding both my hands. It was definitely distracting, especially when he gave me a cautious smile. Gray’s smiles were hard-earned, so whenever he looked at me that way it sent a cozy warmth spreading to every point of my body. “Is your pretty face the distraction?” I asked. If it was, then I had to admit, it was seriously working. His smile lifted a little more. “You think I’m pretty?”
“That’s the first time I’ve ever been scared on the ice,” he said. “Really? I guess having a puck flying at you is a little different when you’ve got a helmet on.” “No, it’s a little different when it’s flying at you.” The look in his eyes when they met mine was so intense I felt a lump form in my throat. “I can’t handle the thought of something bad happening to you, Paige.” “Well, nothing bad did happen, thanks to you.”
“Sometimes, when you stop looking ahead and focus on what’s right in front of you, that thing you’ve been looking for all along finds you.”
“Paige Price, are you actually . . . grumpy this morning?” “I’m not grumpy.” “Ha! You totally are.” I cast him a stern look, which only made his smile grow. “This is amazing,” he said. “Who would have thought our little human rainbow was capable of turning into a dark and stormy cloud?” It was far too early for this. “I’m a person, Parker. Not a cloud or a rainbow.” “You’re definitely closer to a rainbow than a person. At least, you usually are.”
I turned to grin at Grayson, but my mouth went dry at the sight of him. He was topless, and his gray sweats hung low across his stomach. His hair was still messy from sleep, and he reached up to run his hand through it. I already knew Gray was gorgeous. And muscular. And toned. Everyone did. But right now he looked like something an ancient Greek sculptor had carved out of stone. Then he gave me a subtle sleepy smile that sweetened his hard features and made my stomach dip in an unusual way.
“I’m going to flirt with you so hard you’ll forget your own name,” I added before stalking off.
But as I looked up at her, I forgot there were any warring feelings within me. I knew she must be nervous, but there was a sense of confidence in her gaze and mischief in the slight tilt of her lips. All I could feel was awe, because damn, my best friend was beautiful when she was going after what she wanted. I just needed to keep working to make sure that thing was me.
“But when I come to games, I’ve only got room for one number on my jersey. And I have always liked the number seven . . .” I grinned up at her, and she returned my smile. She always wore my number to our games. I never wanted that to change. It would kill me to see her supporting someone else.
“Aren’t you going to let me go?” “Never.” “N-never?” she stammered her reply, making me realize how serious I sounded, how intently I’d been looking up at her when I spoke, and how shallow her breathing had become. Had I gone too far? Revealed too much? I considered backing down, but I was tired of doing that. If I wanted to make progress with Paige, I was better off doubling down. I might only get to play this game with her once, so I wasn’t going to half-ass it.
couldn’t stop thinking of how he’d grinned up at me when I’d told him his number was the only one I’d wear. Gray’s smiles were so hard to come by, it always left me on a high when I finally brought one to the surface.
it was clear why people were a little cautious around him. He was such an imposing figure, and his default facial expression was far from welcoming. But the moment his eyes landed on me they started to sparkle, and it was suddenly impossible to fathom how anyone could consider him scary.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked as I approached Grayson’s truck. He responded by opening the passenger door for me. “I want to do everything with you, Pidge.”
“You could wear a paper bag, and I still wouldn’t think you needed a makeover.”
“I think if you wear that dress for a second longer, I’m going to forget we’re just friends.”
Perhaps that’s why I was so in love with her. I was like one of those stone gargoyles perched on the walls of old churches. An impenetrable statue glaring down at the world. But the second Paige shone her light on me, I shed my stony exterior and came to life.
sweets. She grabbed a couple of sour gummy worms and angrily bit off their heads. “You must be pretty pissed if you’re reaching for the hard stuff . . .” Her gaze was piercing as she shoved the rest of the worms in her mouth.
Besides, maybe I prefer watching you like this.” “Like this?” He gave me a confused look and then glanced down at his chest and the “Kiss the Chef” apron strapped around him. “It’s the apron, isn’t it?” I let out a giggle that was shockingly similar to my nervous laugh. I’d never seen Grayson the chef before, but I had to admit, it was a seriously good look on him. And I was way too tempted to do what it said on his apron.
I instinctively followed her from the room. She was like a magnet, and I often felt like she could pull me just about anywhere.
I’d witnessed Paige’s smile thousands of times before, each one more beautiful than the last. But the one that graced her features now outdid them all, as she released a breath, tucked her head against my shoulder, and gazed up at the stars.
This wasn’t just a kiss. I felt it everywhere, from my lips to the depths of my soul. Her kiss marked me in a permanent way, like she’d tattooed her name across my heart.
“No, Pidge. That was my first kiss too.” “But . . . What? Who?” She blinked. “How is that possible?” “Why would I kiss someone else, when I was waiting for you?”
“Next time I see a shooting star, I’m wishing for a million dollars,” I said as we pulled up outside the Darlings’ house. “Do you think it’ll just appear in my hands like you did, or will I have to wait several business days for it to land in my bank account?” Gray smirked and shook his head as he put the truck into park.
I slipped on some snow and released a squeal. It seemed to echo through the entire neighborhood, and even a few birds that were perched on the garden fence took flight. It was lucky Gray was still holding my hand, or I would probably be stretched out on the ground right now. “That’s your stealth mode?” Gray scoffed. “Maybe my spy skills need a little work.” “A little?” “Okay, a lot.”
“Okay, fine, I’d make a terrible spy. But I wasn’t exactly dressed for stealth mode.” I gestured toward his bright red sweatshirt. “I happen to think that’s the perfect outfit for stealth mode,” he replied. “It’s also perfect for you to wear while eating, sleeping, going to school; anything really.” “I get the feeling you like seeing your name on my back . . .” “I’ve always liked it,” he said. “But right now, that word doesn’t begin to cover what I feel.” “So, what word would you use?” “Let’s just say, it makes me want to steal you away for another night and never give you back.” “Well, I
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“Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you. Even if that means ditching hockey and opening Crapcakes.” She laughed. “I didn’t know we’d settled on a name for our crappy bakery. I like it.”
