BLAZE: Enemies to Lovers College Hockey Romance by Eddie Cleveland (ebook reader macos .txt) 📕

“What the fuck, man?” I yank it back from him.

“Not here, not now. I know you were just waiting for Prissy to leave, but this isn’t the time or place, man.”

Griz walks over to us. “Yeah, besides if you want to ride home with me, it’d be nice if you didn’t smell like some weak-ass skunk. Just save it for later, Blaze.” He frowns at me, and that’s enough. Maybe it’s because he’s so big, but Griz just has this Dad-like quality that none of us like disappointing.

“Fine.” I sigh. I slide the joint and lighter back in my pocket.

Griz cups his hands around his mouth and yells, “Everyone who needs a lift back to Hector House, get on the bus!” He waves his hand at his Escalade.

“We’ll meet you guys there,” Gucci yells back while getting into Etta’s Prius.

The rest of us are stuck cramming in Griz’s vehicle. I’m grateful for the free ride back to our place, but it’s got a bit of a prom limo vibe in here. Hattie is sitting with Griz up front. Even if she wasn’t dressed up, she’d stand out with her long red hair. Griz is a big beast of a man, and they make a great couple. She’s pretty tall too, and Griz likes a girl with some serious curves. Who doesn’t?

Kaylee went the opposite direction of the dressing up thing. Her dark hair is in a messy bun. She’s wearing her signature yoga pants and short winter coat. There’s no way she didn’t combine them on purpose because of how much it makes her ass stick out. Player eats it up. That girl knows exactly what she’s doing. He’s got love in his eyes and his arm around her.

I guess that makes Canuck and I that cringey couple. The ones who feel too awkward to go to prom alone so they go together as friends.

The couples are having separate conversations with each other. I look out the window, barely listening when Canuck pulls out his phone and starts having a conversation that’s impossible to ignore.

“Camille! Yeah, we’re back. It was a long drive back and I’m beat, but…” He listens. “Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. I am calling you. I didn’t forget… pfft. You can’t kick my ass… listen, that was one time and I was like, eleven. Mmhmm, whatever. Listen, we won our game.”

I can hear the muffled shrieks before he even lifts the phone from his ear. Now the entire car can hear them.

“Tell her about your shut-out, Canuck,” Player says over his shoulder.

There’s more screaming. So much more.

“Uh, yeah, she heard you.” Canuck laughs, still holding the phone out. Once the squeals stop, he holds it back to his ear again.

“Yeah, for real. Yeah? Well, thanks. That means a lot.” He softens. “I know, I’ll be home in a month though. We’ll catch up for lost time then. I miss you too. Bye.”

Griz pulls onto our road, and Hector House is in sight. It’s not long before we’re parked in the driveway and dragging our gear inside with us. Canuck slings his hockey bag over his shoulder and Kaylee smiles over at him.

“What did she say?”

“Camille? She told me she’s proud.” He looks down and smiles.

I miss Prissy.

I’m not sure why the thought just stormed into my mind, but I can’t seem to shake it once it barges in.

“Awww.” Hattie tilts her head. “You guys must be pretty close.

“Yeah, she’s a cool girl. We’ve been friends now since sixth grade. I think it was grade six?” He frowns and squints like he’s doing some mental math. “Yeah, I was eleven, so grade six. Anyway, she got transferred to my school halfway through the year and we’ve pretty much been friends ever since.”

Finally, they stop blocking the back end of the Escalade so I can grab my own bag instead of getting stuck listening to Canuck’s life story in the freezing fucking cold. Everyone gets inside, and it’s pretty loud until all the boots are off, coats are hung and bags are dropped.

We automatically shuffle into the kitchen. It’s the one place we spend the most time.

“Is Camille pretty?” Kaylee asks. She and Hattie both watch Canuck closely.

He shrugs. “Yeah, she’s hot, but she’d probably kick my ass if she knew I was talking about her looks.” He laughs. “Camille is scrappy. The only reason she transferred to my school is because she got kicked out of a bunch of others for fighting.” Canuck shakes his head like he’s telling an adorable story about baby farm animals or something.

The look shared between Hattie and Kaylee isn’t lost on him.

“We’re not like that.” Canuck shakes his head much faster now for an entirely different reason. “It’s never been like that with us.”

“Uh huh.” Hattie smiles knowingly at Griz.

“I used to say the same thing.” Kaylee squeezes Players hand. “What do you think, Noah?” Kaylee asks him.

“I think I’m too hungry to give a crap about Canucks Canadian chick. Let’s get some food.” Player goes to the fridge and pops it open, immediately deflating. “Oh, yeah, I forgot I need groceries. Damn there’s not a lot here. Uh, it looks like another omelette.”

“I’d rather starve.” Kaylee sighs. “Let me take a look.” She joins him and starts rummaging around.

Hattie and Griz are busy buttering up the heated skillet on the stove. They’ve got some thick slices of cheese in their sandwiches that they’re getting ready to melt.

I grab myself a granola bar and rip it open with my teeth.

Kaylee pulls out a carrot, an onion and peers back inside the fridge.

“If you think I’m going to eat salad...” Player starts.

“Relax. Everyone is well aware of how much you hate salad.” She drops the stuff on the counter and opens the cupboard, pulling out a can of corn and a box of rice. “I’m making stir fried rice. Actually, I’ll use your eggs too. Can you grab them for me, Noah?”

Player is happy to grab the carton for her. Griz and