Siobhan started to descend the stairs, a fresh drink in her hand.

"Sorry about that," she said. "I keep telling everyone solo cups only, but do they listen? Noooo. I swear, someday I'm going to replace everything in this house with plastic."

Then her eyes landed on Chase and me. She came to a halt, halfway down the staircase, a knowing smile on her face.

"You know, I just remembered that I was supposed to go..."

Chase grinned. "It's okay. We were just coming up."

"Right," I said.

Before I could move, he grabbed my hand, curling his warm, strong fingers around mine.

"Come on," he said. "I'll introduce you to everyone."

*

Several hours and two more broken glasses later, Shiv and I were curled up on the living room sectional chatting while the guys played beer pong in the basement. A few other people were scattered around the living room, chatting and drinking, half-watching an NBA game on TV.

"So, you just transferred schools this year?" I asked.

"Yeah." Her blue-green eyes darted around the room to check for eavesdroppers. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "After I broke up with my ex, he went totally off the rails. He kept showing up at my dorm and the school wouldn't do anything about it. Eventually, transferring seemed like the only option."

I could kind of relate, though at least Luke wasn't quite on that level. If he showed up for another couples' night at my house, though, I was going to whack him with a frying pan.

"That's awful." I gave her a sympathetic look.

"But it's also embarrassing," Shiv added quietly, taking a sip of her gin and tonic. She pursed her dark magenta lips. "Like, how bad was my judgement that I dated someone so crazy? That's why I tell most people I transferred schools because I decided to switch programs."

"His behavior isn't your fault," I said. "Sometimes people have a side to them that they hide at first."

But I wondered if that was the case with Luke, or whether I'd just ignored the red flags from the start.

She shrugged, dropping her gaze. I felt bad for her; starting over like that would have to be difficult, especially in a brand-new city. If I didn't have Zara and Noelle, I would basically be adrift socially right now, too. Heck, I still kind of was.

"How has it been at Boyd so far? I hear good things about it."

"A little tough. Most of orientation stuff is geared to freshman. But sophomore year, they pretty much expect you to be settled in already."

"It's still early in the semester," I said. "I'm sure it'll get better once you start doing more group projects and that kind of thing."

"I hope so." She sighed. "I met Dallas over the summer, at the gym of all places. But it's been hard to meet other girls. Most of the guys on the team don't have girlfriends, either."

"We should go for lunch sometime."

"Yeah?" Siobhan's face brightened. "I'd love that."

"James," Chase's voice rang out. It was low, commanding, and gruff.

Siobhan froze and we exchanged a questioning look. I'd never heard him use that tone before, especially not toward me. Heavy steps echoed from in the hallway. He barreled into the room, eyes zeroing in on me as he closed the distance between us.

"Sorry, Shiv, I need to borrow her for a sec."

"No worries," she said, standing up. "I'm going to go beat Dal at some beer pong."

Chase took me by the elbow, ushering me through an archway into the dark, empty dining room. He shoved his phone into my hands and leaned against the table, watching me expectantly.

I looked up at him, scanning his face. "What is it?"

"Are you aware of what fuckface is saying about you?" He nodded at the lit-up screen, jaw tight.

Brow furrowed, I studied the display. Then I blinked slowly, processing what I'd just read. It was a screenshot of a text Luke sent someone, claiming that he was still hooking up with me on the side. Specifically, calling me his "side piece."

That lying asshole.

My teeth set on edge. "Where did you get this?"

"Not everyone on our two teams is enemies," he said. "And not everyone on your team likes their captain."

"Like who?"

He shrugged. "Palmer, Reed. I played minor hockey with them. And they can't stand Morrison."

"Oh," I said. "I had no idea."

"It's not exactly something they can broadcast if they want any ice time. But that dumb shit put this in a group text with almost the entire team, minus your brother, so in this case he won't know who ratted on him."

The entire team? Resentment started to smolder within me, threatening to ignite.

Then I caught myself. No. Nope. Nuh-uh.

I wasn't going to let Luke rile me up and ruin my night—especially not when I was with Chase. Pressing my lips together, I exhaled forcefully through my nose, expelling thoughts of Luke from my brain. Begone, demon.

I glanced up at Chase and handed him the phone back. "For a minute there, I thought you were mad at me."

"No." His brow creased, tone softening. "I'm mad at that."

Chase looked down again, glowering at the display. The cords in his neck were tight, his breath uneven. Thinly-restrained power and strength radiated off him like a predatory animal ready to attack.

He looked ten times bigger when he was angry.

"Why do you think he would write that?" He gripped the navy blue phone so tightly it looked like he was about to crush it in his bare hand at any moment.

"Would I be standing here if it were true?"

"I know it's not true, James. That's why I'm so pissed." He was still holding my elbow loosely with his other hand, like he'd forgotten about it. "Morrison is spreading bullshit because he's got a problem with me."

Trashing my reputation did fit Luke's usual MO—never mind that I was his friend's sister; he was all about revenge over reason, spite over smarts.

Though it was an odd move given that he was still with Sophie. Did he want her to think he was cheating? Did she not mind if he was? I had so many questions but on the other hand, I wasn't all that interested in the answers.

"He is," I agreed. "But who cares what he says?"

Chase's jaw ticked, his grip on my arm tightening a notch. "I care."

"Why? He's a loser anyway." I should have been mad, probably. Should have been sad. But I didn't want to wage war against Luke; I wanted him to go away. Permanently.

My lips parted in surprise as Chase's hand slid from my elbow, coming to rest on my lower back. He pulled me closer, turning me to face him. Behind the anger in his eyes was something softer—tenderness, mingled with desire.

"Because he's messing with you."

"It's only messing with me if I let it bother me," I said. "Besides, anyone who actually matters would know that's a complete lie."

Maybe I should have been more upset, but it was more ridiculous than anything. Especially when I had pages worth of late-night texts from Luke over the past month asking if he could come over to "talk," followed by my responses repeatedly shooting him down.

I had no shortage of receipts proving that post was bullshit, but I didn't feel the need to prove it in the first place.

Plus, I was more than a little distracted at the moment. Chase's hand was still on my back, his scent enveloping me. The closeness of our bodies was exponentially more exciting, both physically and emotionally, than any text messages ever could be.

"Still." He shook his head, gaze dropping back to his phone. His face clouded over, like he was going to rain down his wrath on the next person unfortunate enough to cross him. "I'm going to flatten him on the ice."

I gently touched his chest. "Carter."

Chase lifted his head. Our eyes locked and something clicked into place inside of me. His expression relaxed, shifting from murderous into a sullen pout.

"You can if you want to. But I'm fine," I said, flattening my palms against his black t-shirt. His heart pounded beneath the fabric against my hands. "Really."

Besides, if happiness was the best revenge, then I was one hundred percent winning right now.

"I still don't like it," Chase grumbled. Locking his phone, he slid it into his back pocket. Then he pivoted both of our bodies, coming to stand in front of me with the dining table at my back.

My breath snagged as his hands came to rest on my sides, large fingers spanning my hips. He drew in a breath and ducked his head to catch my gaze.

"I'm sorry," he said, voice gentle. "Didn't mean to lose my shit. Believe it or not, I hardly ever do."

I braced my hands on his biceps, stroking gently with my thumbs. His muscles were taut beneath the warmth of his smooth skin.

"It's okay."

His dark eyes scanned my face. "Do you want to get back to the party?"

Did I? Not really. A dark, quiet room with him was infinitely more appealing. Especially with the way things were heading right now.

I shrugged, biting back a smile. "I'm not in a big rush."

Chase's expression shifted, turning hungry, predatory.

"Me neither."

His fingers dug into my skin as pulled me up against him. He leaned in until our mouths were almost touching. Almost. Then he lingered, teasing. Waiting for me to close the space between us. I tilted my head and our lips came together, instantly melting into a deep kiss.

Reaching up, his hand caressed my jaw, sliding around to grip the roots of my hair. He secured my head in place as his mouth moved against mine, deepening the kiss even more. A whimper escaped from the back of my throat as a wave of desire crashed over me.

He drew in a jagged breath, grabbing the backs of my thighs and sitting me up on the tabletop. Then he nudged my knees apart, positioning himself between my legs as I pressed my fingers into the muscles of his back, pulling his body tighter against mine.

I took his bottom lip between my teeth and a low rumble emanated from his chest. He pressed up against me as heat pooled between my legs, wanting and needing.

In the background, laughter spilled out from in the living room, snapping me back into the present. I'd all but forgotten where we even were.

We broke apart, both of us breathless. My heart roared in my ears.

He shook his head, voice husky. "You're killing me, James."

"Why's that?" I whispered.

Chase lowered his head, planting a row of kisses down on my neck. "Because I don't want to stop. But if I keep kissing you," he murmured against my skin, "I'm not going to be fit to be around other people for a good, long while."

He pulled back and reached over, smoothing my hair with a playful grin.

"Later, it'll be a different story."

*

After some distraction in the form of our impromptu makeout session, food and video games, Chase's mood improved significantly. But I really did end up kicking his ass at NHL again—and Dallas's.

Chase and Tyler thought it was hilarious. Siobhan was stifling giggles, or at least attempting to. And Dallas was furious, which only added to everyone else's amusement.

"Ooh, want some cream for that burn?" Tyler laughed, taking a swig of his beer. "She just schooled you both."

"How?" Dallas threw the white game controller onto the empty leather armchair beside him, slapping his leg. He turned to me and Chase, gesturing. "Like, what just happened?"

Chase shrugged, giving me a lazy grin. "I'm pretty sure she's a wizard."

"That's what happens when you grow up with three older brothers."

"Rematch," Dallas declared, reaching over and grabbing the controller. He navigated back into the main menu, opening the settings. "The game is rigged," he muttered. "Something's wrong with it."

From the armchair, Siobhan rolled her eyes, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "It's a good thing you're pretty, Dal."

"It's okay to lose sometimes, Ward," said Tyler.

Dallas shook his head. "I never lose."

"Actually, I'm getting tired." I stifled a yawn, wondering if Chase was going to come to bed when I did or stay up with his friends.

Chase shot me a glance. "Want to call it a night?"

"I think so."

He set the game controller down on the glass coffee table, standing up and stretching his arms. His black t-shirt hiked up, revealing a sliver of washboard stomach that I did my best to ignore. Though after being pressed up against him kissing earlier, I already knew his abs were spec-tac-u-lar.

"Yeah," he said. "I'm good, too. Let's go."

I pushed off from the couch and stood up, weaving around the couches with Chase following behind.

"Later, losers," he said to the guys as we headed up the staircase. "See ya, Shiv."

"This isn't over, James," Dallas called. "I want a rematch tomorrow."

Chase laughed, rumbling low and deep in his chest. We started to climb the stairs and he put a warm hand on my lower back, leaning in to murmur in my ear.

"You do know Ward is going to stay up all night playing now?"

A tingle ran down my spine and goosebumps popped up along my arms, but I tried to act normal. Keyword, tried.

"You're saying he's a sore loser?" I said under my breath. "Gee, couldn't tell."

"It's not personal," he said. "And it's not because you're a girl, either. It's just that no one else ever beats him. Which is what makes it so great."

Chase let his hand linger on my back as we continued down the hall. I was dying inside in the best possible way. He followed me into his room, closing the door behind us.

As soon as it clicked shut, I was hit with a whack ton of nerves. Suddenly I was jittery—skittish in a way I wasn't usually with him. Sure, there was always a hefty dose of sexual tension between us, but most of the time it manifested in teasing and banter, play-fighting and flirting.

Right now, it was manifesting in me being coiled tighter than a spring.

After that kiss earlier, everything felt different.

He walked over to the nightstand, switching on the lamp and bathing the room in dim yellow light. Then he turned away from me, grabbing some clothes from the wide dresser beneath the flatscreen TV.

I threw my bag on the bed, rifling through its contents. I had a clean tank top, underwear, shorts, and best of all, a toothbrush. After spending the night with Chase under disastrous circumstances before, being able to brush my teeth this time was a huge relief.

Hygiene was important, after all. Not because I would be kissing him again or anything. But, you know...just in case.

Okay, even I knew we were about to kiss again. That's why my nerves were sky high and I was practically vibrating.

"I know I lost our bet, but you can still grab a shirt." Chase nodded to the tall dresser beside him. "If you want."

I noticed he didn't say "need."

Was it bad if I wanted to sleep in one of his shirts even though I had my own?

Probably.

And yet, I was totally going to do it.

"Speaking of that," he said. "Since you won, are you going to collect?"

"I haven't thought of anything yet."

He grinned. "I could give you some ideas."

Heat spread through my body and I was certain my cheeks were the reddest they had ever been. He winked at me and went into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. I perched on the edge of the bed, trying to catch my breath.

The good news was, I definitely wasn't tired anymore. The bad news was, I was so keyed up that I might not ever sleep again.

And I had no idea what, if anything, was about to happen.

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Also, is there anything better than a good kiss?