"What is my favorite friend doing?" Clay's voice rings in my ear before he slumps on the seat next to me and drapes his hand over my shoulder.

"Reading." I point at the book on my lap, sneaking a glance in his direction. His yellowish-green eyes are full of mischief, as he reaches over and grabs my book from my lap.

"And what are you reading?" He sounds mocking, while I cross my arms over my chest and just wait for his reaction. The more he reads, the rounder his eyes become. I bite the inner side of my bottom lip, trying to stifle my smile. I want to laugh so badly that it hurts. "What is this?"

"Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward." Clay's face is long, pupils wide and dilated. I snatch my book away from him, and arch my eyebrow. "Boo, you should have told me you have never seen a book before. I would have given you a few of my favorites."

"I have never seen porn in books-"

"Aww, Clay, you're literally ruining my image of you. I thought you weren't judgemental." I fakely pout my lips, enjoying his stunned face to no end.

He finally clears his throat, his lopsided grin grows bigger. Leaning closer, he inches to my ear. "You didn't let me finish... I have never seen porn in books before, but now? I definitely need to borrow a book or two from you. For research purposes."

"Of course." I snort, nodding my head. "Asking for a friend, right? Your research purposes?"

"Something like that." He guffaws, standing up. "God, how am I supposed to go to practice now?"

"Cold shower might help." I suggest, and he instantly narrows his eyes on me. "Or jerking off. Or maybe a quickie."

"Considering the books you read, I'm not surprised you have such a filthy mouth..." Clay falls quiet, zoning out and staring off into the distance. Then, he blinks and focuses his gaze on me. "Does Layla like these books too?"

"Why?" I take my plastic glass in my hand and sip my iced coffee.

"Dunno... just curious." He shrugs, bends down and grasps his sports bag from the floor. "Wanna come to practice with me? It might be a lot of fun. People love watching."

I flash him a smile and take my book in my hands. "I'll pass, I want to finish this story before I go shopping with my bestie."

"Now that I think about it, you always stay away from the ice rink." I hold his gaze, tilting my head to the side, curious to know what he's going to say next. "Are you avoiding someone?"

"Why would I be avoiding anyone?" I chortle, my head bobs back. "It has nothing to do with anyone. I just haven't had very pleasant memories connected to the ice rink. So..."

"Not going to tell me more?"

"Nope. There is nothing to talk about." I lift my book and open it again. "And you're too nosey."

"Ouch, my poor heart." He whines, pressing his hand to his chest and pinching his brows together. "You hurt my feelings, friend."

"Sorry, Clay." I won't talk about it because I don't want to give that accident power over my life. Again. It happened, I healed. End of story. "Aren't you going to be late?"

He takes his phone out of his pocket, glances at the screen and curses. "Shit! You're right!" Clay threads his fingers through his hair. "I wanted to talk to you about something... and your book kinda sidetracked me. Dammit!"

"What is it?"

"Colt made me realize something and I really think you should know-"

"Colt?" My eyebrows shot up, reaching my hairline. My mouth suddenly feels dry, and I hook one leg over the other. I haven't seen Thompson for three days, I've only been texting with him from time to time. I will be damned if I say I don't enjoy it. Teasing him feels exhilarating, building the anticipation and making him lose his mind. I have no idea what will happen when he gets me all alone with him, like he wants, but I honestly can't wait.

"Yeah, I did something, and he pointed out to me how stupid I was." Clay licks his lips, shifting his weight nervously from one leg to the other. "Baker and I-"

The door slams with a bang, making us both turn our heads to the direction of the sound. Layla freezes in her tracks, standing with her backpack pressed to her chest. I arch my eyebrow, looking her over. Did she run to get here? Why would she run here? My best friend heaves a sigh and edges in our direction, moving her hips as slow as possible. Putting on a show for a guy she doesn't like? I think I need to have a word or two with her. Setting her up with Clay would be awesome, for real.

"Hey Clay," Layla grins, lowering herself on the seat and boring her sight into his.

"Hey Layla," he murmurs, raking his gaze over her face and down to her cleavage. Dude! Why do you need to be so obvious? She will eat you up and spit you out, without even noticing, if she knows you're interested. My best friend needs a little challenge. If not, you will be just another Tray, the guy she uses to have sex or go on a date if she's feeling lonely. Ugh. He really needs schooling, because as of now, he's hopeless.

"Shouldn't you be at practice?" She tilts her head to the side, a playful smirk tugs at the corners of her mouth. "When I was leaving, almost all the guys had already changed into their gear."

"Fuck! Coach is going to kill me." He babbles, taking a step back. "It was nice to see you, Layla." He shoots me a quick look. "And we really need to talk, Ava. It's important."

"You have my number, Clay. Just call me."

He nods his head and takes off, running in the direction of the ice rink. Layla and I keep watching him without saying anything. I haven't known Clay for long, but I honestly didn't like the serious look on his face. What is so important he needs to tell me about him and Baker? And what does it have to do with Colt?

"Do you think he likes me?" I slowly turn my head and stare at Layla. She still has her eyes peeled to Clay's figure in the distance. "I mean I obviously noticed how he was checking me out not once, but-"

"You were too busy focusing on his best friend and didn't really pay attention to it before." I continue and she quirks a smile, finally meeting my gaze. If I truly want him to have a chance with her, there is no way in hell I tell her about his words. Just a little reassurance. "Yes, bestie, I think he likes you."

"Hm, that could be really entertaining." Layla takes my iced coffee and takes a sip, scrunching her nose at once. "Ew... that's disgusting."

"And that's why you shouldn't have touched it." I steal my coffee back, gulping it down right in front of her. Oh my fucking God! Ouch, brain freeze!

Layla gawks at me in amusement, bursting out with laughter a few seconds later. "You're such a brat, bestie."

"Shut up..." I close my eyes hard, gritting my teeth. I need something to focus my attention on, anything. "Why did you look as if you ran a marathon to get here?"

"Because I did." She manages to sing-song, still giggling. "I thought I was late."

"You were. You always are." Phew, it finally feels better. I hide my book in my backpack and stand up, hovering over her. "Come on. We still need to drop off our things at the dorm before we go shopping."

"I'll leave my backpack in your room." Layla joins me, sneaking a glance at me because she feels I'm eyeing her. "Grace went back to our dorm an hour ago, and I don't want her to go with us."

"Okay." I smile at her, as we stroll in the direction of the entrance. "What do you want to buy?"

"Dunno, I haven't really thought about it. Maybe a new tee or a hoodie." She lifts her shoulder in a shrug. "You?"

"I want a new book." I mouth quietly. "And new lingerie."

My best friend halts in her tracks, eyes round like fucking balls. "Are you going to see Colton?"

"What does that have to do with him?" I brush her off, flush creeping on my neck. I shouldn't have said anything, dammit! I won't hear the end of it now for sure.

"Aww, bitch, you're blushing!" Layla muses, hauling me to her side and squeezing me hard. "Can I read his messages? Pretty please."

"Absolutely out of the question." I retort, wiggling to free myself from her grip. "You wouldn't have known about his messages at all, if you didn't sneak up on me yesterday."

"Can you blame me? You were smiling like an idiot, while typing something on your phone. Of course, I wanted to know who you were texting with." She elbows me in my ribs, cackling loudly. "When it happens, I want all the deets. Everything."

"Didn't you talk about it with Grace already?"

"Nah, I was too aggravated to want to know anything about him. Especially with her. Now, I'm just curious to know if all these rumors about him are true." She plays with her eyebrows, winking at me. "And I'm not taking no for an answer."

I roll my eyes, shaking my head as we walk out of the building. She's impossible, but it's exactly why I love her so much. I have the best friend in the world.

🏒✨🏒✨🏒

Three hours later, I stand in front of the mirror, looking at my reflection. This Calvin Klein set fits perfectly, making my boobs and my ass rounder. It's a cotton lightly lined triangle bralette and cotton bikini bottom, and I spent at least 15 minutes just picking the right color. Layla grabbed this blue set and handed it to me without saying anything. It looks great for real, but at the same time, it's super simple. Do I really want him to see me in this? For the first time?

I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. What has gotten into me? I don't even like him that much! Everything he represents hits too close to home, reminding me of Jefferson and my time with him. A bad boy. Check. A hockey player. Check. Assholeish behavior. Check. Though, Colt is deeper. He has so many layers to him, and even glimpses of what I saw at his place intrigue me. He sure was broken once, and I don't think he ever recovered fully. What happened to him? Why is he so determined to keep everyone out of his life? To build these walls around himself?

"Ava?" Layla's head pokes inside the changing room, interrupting my thoughts. She roams her eyes over my body. "I thought you were dead, I swear. What's taking you so long?"

"Isn't it too simple?"

My best friend tsks, stepping inside and standing behind me. She catches my gaze in the reflection of the mirror and slowly wraps her arm around my waist. "You look beautiful. No matter what you're wearing." I smile at her, covering her palm on my belly with my own. "You have plenty of sexy lingerie from what I remember. Lacy, sultry, slutty. This one is sporty, but also effortless. It gives off the vibe of your confidence. It proves you don't need anything more revealing to look like a real Queen. Exactly what you are."

My eyes water, and I spin around, winding my hands around her neck. "I fucking love you, Layla. So so much!"

"I love you too, Mason." She whispers, clearing her throat. "I hope you're not expecting something more from me? Our first kiss was the one and only I was able to tolerate with you."

I push her away, smiling from ear to ear. "Weren't you the one who wanted to practice before your date with Will?"

"Weren't you the one who promised to never bring it up?" She points her finger at me, eyes narrowed to slits. Suddenly, her jaw drops and she gapes at me in silence. I frown, trying to figure out her weird reaction. What does she have in mind? She dives to my stuff, snaps my phone in her hand and pushes it to my palm.

"What?"

"Send him your photo." Layla beams at me, looking all excited.

"No. That's stupid." I shake my head, remembering my talk with him in the bathroom. How would that make me different from Jordan? The fact that he likes me?

"It's not stupid." She steps closer, inching to look me in the eyes. "The guy wants to see you, but you prefer taunting him. Didn't I get that from your messages?"

"Maybe." I bite my bottom lip, not ready to admit that deep down I like her idea.

"Then send it. We will see what Colton Thompson is capable of when he wants something." She taps on my nose with her finger. "Do it, Ava."

"I hate you." I hiss, sounding absolutely unconvincing.

I strike a pose, trying to find a better angle, finally take a shot and stare at my screen. It's just my boobs and a bit of my abs with my piercing. It's like a picture in your bikini, nothing else, Ava. God, I hope I won't regret this.

📱: About to buy something nice. From 1 to 5, how do you like it?

As soon as I hit send, I lock my screen, turn off the sound and hide my phone in my purse. "Happy?"

"Me?" Layla's face lit up with a devilish smile. "You should ask Thompson."

"Why am I friends with you?" I shake my head, shooing her out of the changing room. I quickly change my clothes, and when I'm about to leave I decide to check my phone. Not that I expect anything since he has practice, but he surprises me.

💯

And I can't stop myself from smiling. Damn him.

🏒✨🏒✨🏒

The next day I go to the library to finish my homework for my Mass Media course since I need to add references. I had a lot of fun researching the history of radio and how it influenced the lives of Americans throughout the years. The more I study, the more I'm sure I chose the right path. I don't want to be an influencer, but I definitely wouldn't be opposed working at a media company, which helps celebrities and companies with their social media presence, prepares PR campaigns and creates content. The last part is my favorite. I have my own bookish account on Instagram where I post my reviews and also aesthetics which I make for every book I read and love. My account is still growing, and so far, I have more than 1k followers. My goal is to reach at least 2k by the end of this year. We will see if I will be successful or will have enough time for my book-boyfriends.

"What are you doing?" A horde of butterflies takes off, doing somersaults in my belly. I slowly turn my head and meet his enigmatic eyes, deep brown with gold irises. I'm drowning, trying to reach the shore but no matter where I look, I only see him. "Ava?"

Fuck! Who allowed him to sound so hot? Deep and husky. Like pure sex. Jesus Christ! I poke my tongue into my cheek, forbidding myself to sweep my gaze over his body because it will be my annihilation. Keeping my eyes on his face, I force a smile. "I certainly know what I'm NOT doing." How did he find me? Did he ask Layla? He couldn't have followed me, since I had been at the library for two hours already. Then how?

Colton smirks and plops himself down on the chair next to me. "You're not talking to me, am I right?"

"You're a smart boy." I comment, look away and start typing on my laptop again. He doesn't say anything, just bends down and takes a book from his backpack. I watch him with my side vision, typing slower and slower by the minute. Thompson sets his book on the table, places his elbow on his knee and puts his chin on his hand. Is he going to read?

I scan the room, sighing in relief once I see how deserted the library is. Not that I'm not used to it though. It's almost always like that, and is one of the reasons why I love coming here to study. Except for me and Colton in the farthest corner, there are only four more people on this floor. Two guys, who are sitting really close to the entrance with their noses buried in books, one girl is huddled on a bean chair with a laptop on her lap and a book in her hand, and also there is Ms Lewis. The woman is the most apathetic librarian I have ever seen. She doesn't pay much attention to what the students are doing as long as they keep quiet, so she can enjoy reading romance books. After I saw her with '', I don't think there is anything about her that might surprise me.

Huh? My hand towers over my keyboard, and my fingers refuse to move. I suck in a breath and leisurely lower my gaze. Colt's palm rests on my knee and he slowly drags it up, under my skirt. He inches to my ear, his hot breath on my skin makes my nipples hard an instant.

"From 1 to 5 how long do you think you will be able to keep quiet?" Annnnnnnnnnd, he fucking won. Checkmate, Ava.