“Completely. Reagan’s my neighbor and friend. I’m not cool with people treating my friends like shit.”

She gawks some more, as if she can’t believe I’m really turning her away.

“Whatever.” She adjusts her dress, pulling the hem down to cover more of her bare thighs. “This party sucks anyway.” She mutters something about hockey players being stupid, which feels appropriate after I said one word to her most of the night. Leah huffs all the way to the door and slams it shut behind her.

The rest of the room doesn’t even bat an eye. Girls running in and out of here, sadly it’s not an uncommon occurrence.

“Well, that was interesting.” I rub at my thigh with two fingers.

Reagan’s large brown eyes go between the door and me, then her shoulders slump forward and she giggles. “Did that just happen?”

“I think so.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare off your date.”

“Eh, it’s okay. You wouldn’t believe how bony her ass was. I think I’m going to have a bruise on my leg.”

“Somehow, I think you’ll survive.”

“Probably. I definitely need a drink though. Want something?”

Her eyes fall to her lap. “Sure.”

In the kitchen, I pour Reagan a glass of wine and grab myself a beer. She’s reverted back to looking timid and unsure, quiet. Now I know she has some fight in her, I want to see it again.

“You were scrappy back there.”

“Mean girls are the worst. Old wounds, I guess.”

I can’t imagine why anyone would be mean to Reagan. Aside from generally being one that hangs back out of the center of attention, she’s just so sweet and good. She has a way about her that makes people want to be friends with her. I know that’s how it was for me. The second I saw her, I wanted to talk to her and find out more about her. Being ridiculously hot probably had something to do with that too, if I’m honest.

Two years later, and I don’t know as much about her as I should for the amount of times we’ve hung out.

Leaning against the counter, I scan the living room. Guys from the team and the group of girls that tend to follow are piled into the tight space watching the Coyotes play Vegas. I’ve never dated from the jersey chaser pool, and now I’m remembering why. They outnumber us and more than one seems to have noticed that Leah left.

“Since you scared off my date, I think you’re going to need to stick with me.”