Collide: A Hockey Romance

SUMMER SHOULD HAVE just punched me in the face because every word out of her mouth was salt on open wounds. For some reason when I’m around her everything stops being logical and clear-cut. Instead, it blurs into a turbulent storm.

She wants to see other people.

Why the fuck did I agree to that? I couldn’t exactly throw a fit and demand we become exclusive. Her panic when I told her I know what I want, was enough for me to reel in the caveman act. I’m clinging onto her maybe like a rope from a cliff. But if I’ve learned anything about Summer, it’s that she’ll set her own path. Pushing her into something would only hurt me in the long run.

Yeah. I’m thinking about the long run now.

No ice time means I can bury my feelings under a bench press.

When Kian enters the weight room, he holds up a neon green helmet that has a dozen modifications. “Ta-da!”

“What is that contraption?” Dylan drops his weight to look.

“It’s protective headgear. Got it custom-made after that brain dysfunction seminar.”

“Doesn’t seem like you’ve made much use of it,” jokes Cole.

Kian aims a sharp eye at him. “Watch it, Carter.”

Cole’s shoulders slump, the joke not holding up in a group of seniors. I would have found it funny if I wasn’t sulking.

I zone out when Kian explains his helmet, and I don’t realize I’m simmering until Dylan stands in front of me.

He tilts his head in observation. “You’re a mess.”

“Thanks,” I say dryly.

“All this over some girl?”

I’m hoping my middle finger conveys my thoughts on him boiling Summer down to some girl.

“Jeez, I thought I’d never see the day you were off your game. You’re Aiden fucking Crawford, man. There isn’t a girl on campus who doesn’t have you as her hall pass.”

His useless pep talk only reminds me of Summer’s sordid words. “Keep running your mouth and see what happens.”

He raises his hands in defense. “And moody too. I’ll run to the store and get you some tampons. What kind do you like?”

“You’ll need them when I make your nose bleed.”

“Heavy flow it is,” he snickers. “I’m kidding, man, I can see why you’re so bent out of shape. If it makes you feel any better, I’d consider monogamy for her too.”

His words are comical because monogamy for Dylan is as repellent as bug spray to a mosquito.

“I mean she’s smokin—”

“Fair warning,” I say. “I will punch you in the face if you finish that sentence.”

He barks out a laugh, going back to lifting his weights.

Kian approaches. “Not to make you feel worse, but she’s going on a date,” he says gently like I’m a fragile toddler getting news that my favorite blanket has gone missing.

The flare of heat in my chest can’t be healthy. Everything in me wants to ignore him, but curiosity is a dangerous emotion.

“With whom?”

“Some accounting major.”

That’s a stake to the heart. Her five-year plan is nearing reality, now that I’m not disrupting it. Fuck, what I would do to disrupt all her complicated plans and keep her mindlessly in bed with me.

“How do you know that?”

“I overheard Amara when I was studying at her dorm,” he says.

Unlike me, Kian’s been spending time with Summer because of exams. Would it be crazy if I transferred into her class? Yes.

“What are you going to do?” This time all the guys crowd me. Even Cole and Sebastian approach, probably aware of everything because of Kian’s big mouth. Though they’re well acquainted with Summer’s presence in my bedroom over the past few weeks.

“Nothing.”

Curious faces fall, and they stare at me like I’ve gone crazy. “Your girl is going on a date with another guy, and you’re going to do nothing?” Cole asks incredulously.

Kian starts, “If I were to give my two cents—”

“Don’t,” we all say. His face contorts with shock.

“I have more experience with complicated relationships than any of you,” he defends.

“Your stalker doesn’t count as a complicated relationship, Ishida. That was just complicated. Period,” says Eli.

“Okay, but what I’ve learned is—”

“Don’t duplicate house keys and give them to someone you just met?” I offer.

“Don’t leave your car in the driveway for someone to siphon gas from it?” Dylan adds.

The guys shake with laughter. I’m sure we could provide a dozen more examples of things Tabitha did to him, but he pouts. “You know what? You don’t deserve my wisdom.”

I groan when he does that wounded puppy thing with his face. “Sorry buddy, we’re joking. What did you want to say?”

“I don’t want to tell you now.”

“Fine with me.” Dylan stands and the rest of the guys agree.

“Okay, okay.” He blocks them. “Girls are like buttons—”

Coach clears his throat, cutting him off. “Ishida, what have I told you about gossiping in the weight room?”

“That it fosters healthy connections among growing boys?” He smiles, white teeth on display.

The glare Kilner sends his way is sharp enough to make everyone stand straighter. He’s got that angry vein in his forehead that usually pops when Kian’s involved. “One more word from you, and I’ll make sure you never see that ice again.”

Despite the threat, Kian opens his mouth to speak, but Eli elbows him with a sharp look.

“Coach, what would you do if the girl you want is going out with someone else?” Cole asks.

I shoot him an irritated look. The last thing I need is Kilner in my business. Though, he is happily married with four kids, so he must know a whole lot more than I do.

Coach eyes me. “Shower girl?”

“Summer,” I supply.

His brows knit, and his small smile is almost undetectable. “Only a matter of time with you two,” he mutters. “You know her better than anyone else does. But I know she’s got a good head on her shoulders and she thinks hard before committing to something—or someone. Still, you gotta let people come to their own decisions, even if you think you know what’s best.”

I consider his words. While I want to stop Summer from going on that date, I know I was right in what I said to her. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let her forget my existence in her life.