Page 39 of Rival Darling
“I didn’t say that. Dating him would be a terrible idea.”
“What? But you think kissing him would be a good one?”
“Uh, Vi…”
“Because I’m not kissing anyone tonight.”
“Vi…”
“Also, I’m not just done with guys who play hockey; I’m done with any guys who have big egos.”
“Violet…”
“And I bet Reed Darling has one of the biggest around!”
For a moment, the world went silent, and then a voice rumbled behind me. “I hope you’re talking about my big heart there, Sunshine.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as I realized it was Reed. We’d only met twice, but I instantly recognized his deep tone.
“Didn’t realize I’d made such a big impression.”
I officially wanted to die. I also wanted to kill Mia for not trying harder to warn me Reed was coming. A true friend would have tackled me to the ground if that’s what it took to shut me up. As I opened my eyes, I found her looking over my shoulder at Reed, a sparkle of mischief in her gaze. She might be intimidated by the guy, but right now, it appeared like she was trying not to laugh. Traitor.
“Oh, look, there’s Nicole,” she said. “I’ll be back in a sec…”
I gaped at her, my eyes narrowing with disbelief. How could she have bailed on me? Especially when I’d just embarrassed myself so thoroughly. She was meant to be whisking me away, saving me from the Devil. Not abandoning me with him just when I needed her the most.
I had no choice but to face Reed, and I reluctantly turned to him, my dread growing a little more with each slow movement. I couldn’t believe he’d overheard me talking about him. Again. I wasn’t sure how much he’d heard, but at least this time, I could be grateful I hadn’t been calling him a pig. Not that saying he had a big ego was much better.
“Hi,” he said once I was facing him. I half expected to find a look of disappointment or annoyance on his face. But instead, he seemed amused. “So, if it wasn’t my big heart you were talking about, was it another part of me?”
My eyes widened as I realized what he was inferring, and I quickly started to stutter. “No. I?—"
“Because, honestly, that’s one rumor about me I’m okay with.”
“Reed! I was talking about your ego. And, by the sounds of it, I was right.”
He grinned, allowing the dimple on his cheek to pop. It was only on one cheek, which somehow made its impact more devastating. “Okay, that’s fair. At least give me a chance to clear my name.”
I hesitated. I got the feeling that once you were drawn into Reed Darling’s orbit there would be no escaping it. Like getting sucked into a black hole that would eventually spit you back out with a broken heart and a bunch of emotional scars. He was too intense. Too good-looking. And, despite his bad reputation, I imagined that girls who got too close to Reed Darling inevitably fell for him and suffered the consequences. Spending more time with Reed, even as a friend, could only lead to disaster.
“Look, Reed, I’m sure you’re a great guy.”
“Uh-oh,” he replied, somehow still managing to smile.
I did my best to power on. “But I already told you I’ve sworn off hockey players. In fact, I have a very long-standing no-jock rule and, this time, I’m making no exceptions. Besides, from what I hear, hockey isn’t the only reason I should be staying away from you.”
“Mm, but surely you’ve changed your mind since meeting me?”
I folded my arms over my chest. “I thought you were trying to prove you didn’t have a big ego?”
“Nah, I just wanted to spend more time with you. You were right. I have a big ego.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Big ego or not, Reed could certainly be charming. Then again, Jeremy had been too.
“So, you can’t even be friends with a hockey player?” he asked.
I tilted my head to the side as I studied him. I didn’t think guys like Reed were capable of being friends with girls, and I was all too aware of that fact after what happened with Jeremy and Heather. “Why would you want to be friends with me? It’s not like we have anything in common.”