In Your Wildest Dreams (Wildcat Hockey, #4)(50)

The night as I remember it after that was filled with a lot more dancing and fun with Grace and Everly. Ash and I didn’t have any more moments alone, and I’m trying to decide if I’m thankful or sad about that.

Thankful. Definitely thankful. That kiss was incredible, but it would be dumb to get involved.

It was a one-time thing that I will replay for eternity.

“I have to go back today, anyway. I promised my mom I’d go shopping with her this afternoon.”

“What time do you have to leave?”

“Soon. I probably should be on the road already.”

“Well you have to eat, so that’s enough time to tell me everything.”

I flop back onto my mattress. “I don’t know what happened. We were outside talking and then…he kissed me.”

She lets out a little squeal.

“Are you really excited about this?” Her reaction surprises me. Ash is like a brother to her and she knows my relationship with Gabe was messy. Even if my ex weren’t working with the Wildcats, there are a lot of reasons she might not be on board with me getting involved with someone she cares about.

“Of course. I love you and I love Ash.”

“Yeah, but isn’t it weird or something?”

“No.” She laughs. “Why would it be weird?”

“He’s your brother’s teammate.”

She doesn’t blink, totally unfazed.

“Grace liked him.”

“Months ago. And, I don’t really think he’s even her type. We were just spending so much time with him that it was easy and convenient. Plus, Ash is so damn charming it’s hard not to crush on him.”

“I thought you said he was like a brother.”

“To me, yeah, but I see how girls are around him.” She pulls on my arm to make me sit up. “Tell me what’s really worrying you. Do you not like him? Are you going to break his heart? Am I going to have to kick your ass?”

“Me break his heart? You’re not serious. He’s…Ash Kelly.”

“He’s just a stinky boy who happens to play hockey really well.”

“And kiss really well,” I mutter under my breath.

She catches it and smiles. “So you do like him?”

“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I liked kissing him.”

“So your lips like him. That seems promising.”

“Every part of me likes him,” I say honestly. “But it was one kiss. He knows it’s as bad of an idea as I do.”

“You’re not a bad idea. He likes you too.”

I don’t know what to think. But I’m going to be gone for a couple of weeks, so I don’t have to figure anything out today.

I put the rest of the muffin on my nightstand. “I should shower and pack. What are you going to do all break?”

“Sleep in, hang with Grace until she goes to Hawaii, go to some hockey games. My mom is coming up on Christmas Day and then I might go with Ty and Piper to visit her family the day after. When will you be back?”

“I’m not sure. I’m scheduled to work on the third, so I’ll be back by then.”

Everly scrambles to her feet. “Be right back.”

While she’s gone, I swing my feet over the side of the bed and get up. Ugh. I need a shower.

Last night was fun. Next time I need to drink less and remember to do my skincare routine before bed, but nonetheless, I’m really happy I went out with Everly and Grace.

I missed this so much. Going out with friends and then spending the next day talking about it and laughing at all the dumb stuff we did. Except the dumb stuff in my past was never quite as exciting as kissing a hot hockey player.

Everly comes back into my room as I’m pulling out my suitcase from the closet. She’s carrying a red giftbag with white ribbons hanging off the handle.

“Merry Christmas.”

The back of my eyes sting with the threat of tears as she hands over the present. In true Everly fashion, the outside of the present is picture-perfect. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”

“I know. I wanted to. Open it.”

I remove the white tissue paper until I pull out a flat, rectangular wrapped item. “You could be a professional gift wrapper.”

She snorts. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist.”

I tear the smooth paper and unfold it until I reveal a wooden picture frame. Me, Grace, and Everly have our faces squished together. The Wildcat hockey arena is the background. I barely remember taking the photo at the game we went to last week because I was nervous about seeing Ash. But despite that, I look happy. I am happy.

I run my finger over the bottom of the frame. Our names and the date are painted in pretty lettering. “Did you make this?”

“I bought the frame, but yeah, I painted it.”

“I love it.” I hold it to my chest. “Seriously. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I have a little something for you too.” I set the picture down on my nightstand and open the first drawer where I stashed Everly and Grace’s gifts. I wasn’t sure if we’d do this. I had just planned on leaving them on the kitchen counter before I left for home.

“It’s just something silly.”