Page 177 of On the Breakaway

My stomach does that stupid fluttering thing again. As if sensing it, Grayson glances toward the crowd.

Toward me.

The look is so brief that nobody around us would ever notice it. Hell, most people would think he’s just scanning the stands. But I notice the way his mouth lifts into the tiniest hint of a smile, my entire body warming in response. His eyes linger for another heartbeat before he turns back toward his teammates.

There’s no wave or gesture, but in that moment, we’re connected. Even if the thousands of people surrounding us don’t know it. For the first time, I catch a small part of myself wishing he had waved. Or that I had worn his jersey. Or that we stopped hiding altogether.

It doesn’t sound so bad.

A sudden squeal pulls me from my thoughts.

“Sloane!”

I look up just in time to see a woman launch herself at Sloane.

Sloane laughs as she catches her in a hug. “Katie.”

My stomach immediately drops.

Grayson’s sister.

The one Grayson seemed extremely concerned about me meeting. The one who is currently sitting down directly beside me after Sloane scoots over to make room.

I force myself not to look nervous because, as far as I know, Katie has no real idea who I am. She’s never met me or seen me, and will have absolutely no idea that I’m sleeping with her brother.

Sloane motions to Wesley and Harper, introducing them, and then shifts to me. “And this is Avery.”

As soon as my name leaves Sloane’s mouth, I know that I’m fucked. Katie’s eyes widen before she recovers, and a knowing smirk flashes across her face.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

My pulse spikes. “You too.”

Nobody else notices because Harper’s back to being distracted by her phone, and Wesley is watching the ice.

I’d never had a serious relationship until Damon, and in our entire year together, I’d never once met anyone in his family. And on top of it all, I know the pedestal that Grayson puts his family on.

What the hell am I supposed to do right now?

Luckily, Katie doesn’t draw attention to the fact that I’m quite literally frozen in my seat.

Instead, she charms Harper by talking about the kids in her class and comparing them to her own children. She manages to chat up Wesley about soccer, and then she launches into a story about her sister with Sloane. I’m not sure if anyone notices how she doesn’t try to talk to me once.

Other than the occasional glance in my direction, I may as well not be here at all.

I take the opportunity to focus on the ice, watching the Blades skate circles around the Yeti, but fail to capitalize, leaving the scoreboard empty by the end of the first period.

Harper stands. “I need a bathroom break.”

“Same,” Sloane says.

Wesley groans. “I’ll go get more snacks.”

The three of them gather their things and start filing out of the row. Every part of me wants to run away with them, but I force myself to stay put.

“We’ll be back before puck drop,” Harper promises.

Then they’re gone. The noise of the area seems twice as loud, but it’s only because I’m hyperaware of Katie sitting next to me. She watches the crowd for a moment, then she takes a sip of her drink.