When Lyla arrives at her new school, Crestwood High, her hopes of a new beginning are quickly challenged by the schools walking one-night stand. Lean, killer jawline, captain of the ice hockey team, and rude as all hell, Jack Hughes is everything Ly...
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It was four in the afternoon, and I was currently organising retail stock in the main ticketing booth at The Rink. Stella had come with me today, waiting around for the pubic session so that she could skate with Ashton while he worked, but mostly, so she could watch him practice.
I didn't understand the appeal, I mean, I get it, she thought Ashton was cute—but it was just practice. I'd seen the boys do mock hockey games a number of times since working here, and honestly, they mostly mucked around. There was commotion on the ice, Ashton letting out one of his signature giggles, Stella blushed. Hard. Okay, now I see the appeal. She liked Ashton in that way. I knew they were close friends, closer than most in the group, but I didn't think her affection for the boy ran that deep. Now I could see it clear as day, Stella had a thing for Ashton, and it wasn't a little crush. She couldn't take her eyes off of him.
I was just now piecing it all together. She's been talking my ear off about the curly haired boy all afternoon, I'd learnt so much about the Australian boy, I figured I almost knew him as well as she did. Apparently, he wasn't just a hockey player, but a drummer, and he worked at KFC. Good on you, Ashton.
I was so caught up in watching the boys fumble over each other on the ice, I hadn't noticed the deep blue gaze of Jack Hughes staring right at me. We hadn't spoken a word to each other in almost a week, and it has been peaceful. I had seen him in passing, of course. During class, at our lockers that stood side by side, at The Rink during work, and during practice. I never stayed late enough to see if he would be true to his word and keep an eye on me while I skated. I needed space from the brunette boy, since our fight on Monday morning. It was now Saturday afternoon, and honestly, I wasn't sure if I missed him, or if I was just coming down with something and my mind was playing tricks on me, either way, he was staring at me, and I found myself not being able to look away.
From the blue of his eyes to the way his lips were entirely too kissable, it was probably no secret that Jack had me enraptured, but he was a dick, and I would never go through with admitting feelings. Hell no. His ego was already the size of a small country, I didn't need him finding out I thought he was attractive in any way, shape, or form.
What I did need, was a drink of water.
I peeled my gaze from him, ending our staring battle, and reaching for my bottle. A tanned and manicured hand reached out, stopping me.
"You and Hughes," Stella grinned wildly. "Fess up!"
I rolled my eyes, giving her a look. "There's nothing to tell! Jack and I can't stand each other."
"More like, Jack and I can't stop staring at each other," she corrected. "I saw that, missy, and it's not the first time it's happened. . . Today!"
I chewed on my bottom lip, deep in thought. She was right, it wasn't the first time Jack and I had been caught flat out just looking at each other today, or this week. He just kept on looking at me, and he didn't look away, it's like he wanted me to look back, and he wasn't afraid to show it. It was confusing.
