##Chapter 11: CassidyBook One: Stay"Sorry, I'm still trying to get the hang of it. Remind me to ask you for some helpful tips. You seem to be a real pro at it."My belly dips as he grins at me. I almost wince, realizing that this banter is totally counterproductive to what I need to happen.He shifts his stance. "For one, you're supposed to stay out of sight. You know, hide in the bushes, peek around corners, wear disguises, follow discreetly from a distance. That kind of thing. Maybe we can get together later and I can give you a stalker one-oh-one crash course. Stalking for dummies or something like that. Totally free of charge, of course."Dimples.Again with those damn dimples.If he's trying to wear me down, those dimples are doing an excellent job. He must realize it because he flashes them at me every chance he gets.I blink, attempting to shake myself free of the thick fog that always seems to descend when he's near. "No, I don't think that'll be necessary. You've given me qu
##Chapter 12: ColeBook One: Stay"What's your problem, dude? We won!" Austin shouts from across the table in the noisy bar. "Fucking act like it."Before I can respond, his attention becomes ensnared by the curvy blonde perched on his lap. I'm surprised he even noticed me sitting across from him in the first place.With a grunt, I nurse my beer instead of replying, because what am I supposed to say to that?That I'm stuck on a gorgeous chick with the most beautiful ebony-colored hair I've ever seen. Or the biggest, clearest blue eyes I've had the sad misfortune of gazing into.Fuck.I'd get the shit kicked out of me if I said something like that.And you know what?I'd totally deserve it.Hell, I probably deserve it for even thinking along those lines.I'm so screwed.Even worse than that?I'm not sure if there's anything I can do to salvage whatever Cassidy and I have going between us. Maybe I've only known her for a week, but she's all I think about. That's not a good sign.She'd j
##Chapter 13: CassidyBook One: Stay"Where'd you disappear to last night? I thought we were going to hang out at the bar after the game."Even though Brooklyn looks as though she didn't get a wink of sleep last night, her voice is chipper and brimming with curiosity.I glance up from the bowl of oatmeal I'm trailing my spoon through as we sit in the cafeteria with its walls of floor to ceiling windows. Brilliant sunshine pours down on us. Even this early in the morning, students are bustling past with trays full of food before their days get underway."I decided to head home after the game instead.""Well, you missed an awesome time last night. We had a blast." She grins before digging into her scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit. She waggles her perfectly plucked brows before dropping her voice. "And what happened after the bar was even more fun, if you know what I mean."I roll my eyes because yeah, I know exactly what she means. Instead of taking the bait, I clear my throat. "Austin s
##Chapter 14: CassidyBook One: StayIt's not quite seven in the morning as I run through the sleeping streets of the small-town Western University calls home. The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, washing everything in a soft pink glow. The air is crisp, the leaves overhead vibrant in their orange, red, and yellow colors.After the hockey game last week, I made the decision to slowly start incorporating exercise back into my routine again. In high school, I'd spent a ton of time working out and skating. After failing out last year, that had been another thing that had fallen by the wayside. I've decided to run three times a week. Okay, so maybe it's more of a jogging/speed walking type of thing but still...I'm out there, doing it.I'm pretty sure that counts for something. Not working out six days a week for the last nine months has taken a toll on my waistline. I used to be muscular and toned all over. Now, not so much. I'm a lot softer than I once was.One side benefi
##Chapter 15: CassidyBook One: StayWith our arms linked, Brooklyn and I get absorbed into a herd of students heading to the same party. My brows rise as I stare up at the large Victorian that looms in front of us. It looks as if it's bursting at the seams with people. Even though it's only nine o'clock on a Friday night, drunken revelers are spilling out onto the darkened lawn, plastic beer cups in hand, laughing and hollering as music pulses from inside.I give Brooklyn at bit of side-eye. "Jeez. It looks like the entire campus is here.""Didn't you see the flyers plastered all over school? I think it's a," she uses her fingers to make air quotes "fundraiser."I can only imagine what will be bought with the money they make tonight.Probably more red plastic cups and beer.It takes effort to push through the throng of people and make our way inside the house. My gaze darts around, overwhelmed by the sheer number of partiers crammed inside the living room. Every square inch of space i
##Chapter 16: CassidyBook One: StayFor the next couple of hours, we listen to the band. They're a local group who play at a lot of bars around town. They also perform exclusively at the hockey parties, since the lead singer knows one of Cole's teammates. Before I realize it, I'm dancing with Cole, Austin, and Brooklyn. After a while, Alex joins in. In a shocking twist, he turns out to be smooth on his feet.A few drinks later, he sidles up to me like a puppy dog with its tail tucked between his legs and apologizes for grabbing me a couple of weeks ago. Even though I'm pleasantly surprised by the olive branch, I can't help but wonder if Cole put him up to it.Once we've exhausted ourselves from dancing, we stand near the front of the makeshift stage, listening as the band finishes up their last set. By now, the crowd has thinned, and the atmosphere is mellower. I stifle a yawn. As awesome as tonight has been, it feels like it's time to head home.My gaze coasts over the crowd, searchi
##Chapter 17: CassidyBook One: StayI'm probably pushing the boundaries of what I can handle without having a small-or god forbid, huge-freak-out. I don't want Cole to see me like that. He's already witnessed enough.As I stand motionless, I realize that everything has quieted downstairs. My gaze slides from his to the queen-sized bed. My nerves ratchet up a couple hundred notches. I've spent the last nine months pushing people away and yet, somehow, Cole has managed to sneak past all my defenses.The last thing I want to do is put myself in a situation that ends badly. I force my gaze back to Cole who silently watches me.It's as if he can read my thoughts, which is disconcerting on an entirely different level."I could pile pillows in the middle of the bed like a wall if that would make you feel better." He pauses. "Or I could sleep in the chair. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."His earnest gaze holds mine before he offers a lopsided smile. "I promise, nothing will happen. We
##Chapter 18: CassidyBook One: StayMy brows are knit tightly together as I glance suspiciously around before asking, "What are we doing here?"It's a few minutes before five o'clock in the morning, and the ice arena is closed. The lights are off, the concession stand is locked up tight, there's not even a maintenance guy on duty to question our presence.Even though this isn't the first time I've posed the question, Cole remains tight-lipped. The only thing he said is that it's a surprise.The first wave of questions fell from my lips as we stood outside the arena, and I realized it wasn't open. That's when Cole had produced a key. I'm not going to lie, it had struck me as a little bit sketchy. The last thing I need is a police record to go along with the other crap I put my parents through. They'd probably disown me.Officially.But I trust Cole.I do.He doesn't strike me as a guy who engages in criminal activity. Right now, I can only hope I'm not wrong about that. Then again, he