Blocked (Boston Terriers Hockey #3) - Jacob Chance Page 0,39
change now.”
“Did you see the guys checking her out?”
Unfortunately, it was impossible not to notice. “Yeah, I might have.”
“I’m going to need to figure out a way to protect her from the wolves.”
“Don’t stress out about it until you have a reason to,” I advise.
“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s grab another beer and forget Maddie’s here.”
Like that’s going to happen.
“Sure, man,” I agree.
We spend the rest of the night hanging out with our closest friends, most of whom live in this frat and play sports. But my eyes never stray from Maddie for too long whenever she’s in sight. Having her at the same school as me is definitely going to complicate my life in ways I don’t need.
When she ghosted me and went to U.N.H., it broke my heart to know that I was the reason behind it all. Instead of looking forward to returning to school, it made me want to take a semester off. If it wasn’t for my dad and his sage advice, I would’ve sat at home in my room and fallen into a depression.
Once I was back at school, I was able to fool myself into thinking that my feelings for her weren’t as strong as I’d thought. However, having her around will be a constant reminder of how I’m only fooling myself. Maddie Winters, the girl I want more than anything, is the one person I can never have.
I set my tray down on the table and sink down onto a chair with a muffled groan. I’m still sore from hockey practice yesterday and we have another one this afternoon. Picking up my sandwich, my eyes bounce around the large cafeteria, coming to an immediate halt on Maddie. In line getting her lunch, she smiles at one of the food service ladies and replies to something she said. That’s Maddie for you. She always has a kind or friendly word to offer a complete stranger. This is my junior year and I don’t know if I’ve ever said more than thank you to any of them. Maddie’s been here a couple of weeks and probably knows them all by name.
She pays for her meal and starts to walk toward an empty table. I shout to gain her attention and gesture her over. She hesitates for a second, her face revealing every bit of uneasiness she’s feeling before she continues my way.
I hate that she’s conflicted about talking to me, but after the way our relationship ended, I’m not surprised.
Since that memorable summer, she’s barely spoken to me at all. And on occasion I’ve had to play the older brother role for Marshall. Sometimes it seems as though I’m stuck there.
“Hey.” I smile. “Want to have lunch with me?”
She arches her brow questioningly. “Why do you want me to sit with you?”
“Do I need a reason other than the fact that we’re friends?”
“We’re not friends.”
“Sure we are. Sit down, please.”
She lowers to the seat across from me. “I guess you and I have different definitions of friendship.”
“How so?” I slip a french fry into my mouth.
“My friends don’t tell me what to do or try to control me.” She flicks a quick glance my way before biting into her cheeseburger.
“I look out for my friends and make sure they’re safe,” I retort. “If telling them not to do something keeps them from harm, then I don’t see a problem.”
“You should try being more diplomatic about it instead of steamrolling the person.”
My brows press together. “I didn’t steamroll you.”
“Telling me I need a babysitter wasn’t exactly subtle or necessary.”
She may have a point. I shouldn’t have said that to her, but I wasn’t expecting to see her at the party, and then there she was—gorgeous and too innocent for that environment. It threw me for a loop and I reacted poorly.
“I’m sorry for saying that. I shouldn’t have. You’re an adult.” I place my palm on her forearm and she stares at my large hand before her eyes swing up to meet mine. Her blue eyes are clear as a cloudless sky, and I get caught up in the varying shades, losing my focus for a few seconds.
“Thank you.” Her voice is husky, as if she noticed her effect on me. She clears her throat. “I hope you mean it, though, and you aren’t just apologizing to keep this newfound peace between us.”
“I do mean it.”
“If we’re going to bump into each other, we should probably be cordial. Do you think you can stop trying to