“It’s been a while. Maybe a six, maybe a seven.” I shrugged.

He disappeared into the hallway without another word. I almost didn’t notice with how entranced I was in the space.

Part of me wondered what his angle was. Out of all the girls he could possibly set his sights on, why me? It wasn’t like I was some standout girl on campus—-just another face in the crowd, blending in without much effort. Maybe some people wondered if I got in on a scholarship if they didn’t know my name, and that was fine by me.

I thought back to the first time I saw him—or thought I did. He was goading on that fight in his front yard like some typical bad boy movie cliche. I didn’t think he truly noticed me, but with those looks he gave me, it was confirmation enough. Then, the campus wide back to school bash where he lurked in the shadows until I stumbled outside. The cigarette he gave me led to me willingly getting on the back of his bike for a night out.

It wasn’t like me to do that. Not to mention Garrett. Two men vying for my attention? Wild. One of them asked me to be their girlfriend, yet I was out with the other one.

So unlike me.

But Kelly encouraged adventure and hot guys.

I just didn’t think a hot guy would include the notorious campus playboy, Brent Vaughn. He was a use her and lose her type of guy.

The lights flicked on with a loud hum and my thoughts dissipated.

“Miss me?” His voice came from behind, dripping with the same charm that he wielded like a weapon.

I grabbed the skates from him forcefully and plopped down on a bench to try them on. No way was I giving him the satisfaction of a response. He was far too cocky in his confidence. He played the cool guy routine way too hard—there was no way girls fell for it.

If they did...ew.

“Let’s see what you’ve got.” He stepped out onto the smooth ice, gliding backward with an ease that felt more like a taunt.

I took my time easing onto the ice and found my footing as if it was only yesterday I was on the ice last. Despite bouncing from hobby to hobby, I always went back to skating. Sitting still was never really my thing.

The sound of the blades slicing the ice felt like a lullaby from home. It reminded me of Mom. She always encouraged me to try anything that caught my eye and even joined in on some lessons despite her complete lack of coordination.