Taming the Ice #21 Ace Andrews

Chapter 2-Gut Feeling

Ari

Loud music pulsed around me. My gaze darted through the dark room as I looked towards the dozens of bodies that swayed back and forth all around us. I didn’t want to be here, but Pete insisted we make an “appearance”.

I thought that meant popping in for an hour and then going back home to get some sleep before class tomorrow.

“Yo, Pete! Over here! Take some shots with us!” One of the guys from the hockey team yelled out, making me shrink back into the couch I was lucky enough to snag when we first got here. I didn’t plan on leaving it for the rest of the night either.

“You want in on this babe?” Pete asked, his hand sliding up and down my thigh as I tried not to stiffen. I don’t know when exactly I started having this reaction to him, but it’s been happening a lot more lately.

“You go ahead, I’m still working on this.” I lifted my still full cup of beer, showing it to him. I hated drinking…well, I used to not mind it, but after doing it a lot more lately, I just feel tired. And truthfully the more I drink, the more I fear I might eventually end up like her. That thought alone was enough to make my stomach sour.

“You good?” Pete suddenly asked, that small spark of hope I first felt when we were together began to stir inside of me as I looked up at him longingly. Did he see how uncomfortable I was? Did he realize this isn’t me? I’m not the partying type of girl…at least, I didn’t used to be before I met him.

I liked reading books and cozying up on the couch or sketching on my drawing pad and listening to soft music. Did he forget all the things I told him about when we first started talking? Because this girl that I am now…this isn’t me.

“Actually–”

“Cassidy! You made it!” A girl behind me practically screamed in my ear, making me shrink back as I noticed Pete’s demeanour change immediately.

The way he seemed to perk up caused my mouth to clamp shut as he turned his head, looking towards Cassidy Young. My gaze followed his slowly, landing on the gorgeous blonde haired blue eyed beauty now walking towards us.

She was the complete opposite of me in every single way possible…

I used to think we were in the same league. I mean, we were friends at one point. But with the way Pete is looking at her right now, I felt like a mere speck compared to her.

“Hey guys!” Her sickeningly sweet voice filled the room as I tried to push this unwanted jealousy down. I watched as she made a beeline straight for Pete. The tight skirt and crop top she wore showed off her sun kissed skin and navel piercing that Pete’s eyes seemed to be drawn to.

That’s when she leaned in to give him a hug. The fact that Cassidy didn’t even acknowledge my existence made it that much worse. But instead of watching her flirt with my boyfriend, I opened up my phone and tried to focus on something else. I didn’t want to be that girl. At least, I was trying not to be that girl.

Pulling up my texts, I clicked on my best friend, Elodie’s name, looking back at the few messages I haven’t even responded to yet.

El: Omg, I totally thought of you when I saw this. We should try it out soon!

Attached to it was a new boba place that opened up a few weeks ago.

El: Are you guys all settled in your new place? Maybe Beckett and I can come by sometime?

El: I miss you Ari… I know you are probably super busy and stuff but, just know I’m here for you.

I felt the guilt start to pour through me. I missed her too…a lot. But I just couldn’t see her. Not now. At least not until things get better.

I don’t want to put my s**t on her. She has been through enough and now that her and Beckett are together, she is actually happy for once. Like, really happy.

She thinks I’m happy too, but the moment Elodie sees me, I know for a fact she will see right through my bullshit. Maybe that’s the biggest reason why I’m avoiding her. It was my choice to go back to Pete and now that we are living together, I feel like I have to stick with my decision.

I felt my phone vibrate, making me realize I got another text.

Ace: Isn’t it past your bedtime?

I felt a small smile pull at my lips. Seeing Ace’s name pop up caused a feeling I couldn’t quite decipher to rise up as I began to type a response.

Me: Who said I have a bedtime?

Ace: Daddy the stallion Ace Andrews did ;) You are clearly falling asleep in your beer right now.

Me: Oh god, how can you even call yourself that? I mean, it’s one thing if you were given the nickname, but I’m pretty sure you made it up yourself…

I glanced up, my gaze landing on Ace’s large form as I realized he was now leaning against the wall right across from me. It was hard not to stare with the way he was looking right now.

His messy dark hair was pushed back like he had been running his fingers through it all night. His olive skin shimmered beneath the dim lighting as the white shirt he wore clung to his muscular chest for dear life.

Ace was attractive. Like really really attractive. But he was also a man w***e.

Letting my eyes flick to his face, I couldn’t help but admire his roman shaped nose and the way his square jaw seemed to be cut from stone. He was like one of those statues of a Greek god you would find in a museum.

But the moment our gazes locked, I felt something I probably shouldn’t have and quickly looked back down at my phone, reading his response.

Ace: What does it matter where it came from? It’s the fact that it stuck that counts.

Suddenly a large hand came sliding up my thigh. The realization that Pete was hovering above me set in as I blinked up at him.

“Who are you texting?” He questioned suspiciously. Wait, was he seriously mad right now? Wasn’t Cassidy just feeling him up right in front of me?

“You’re best friend. He said I should go to bed.” I stated, flipping the phone around so he could see it. I had nothing to hide.

Pete instantly relaxed, relief flooding through him as he didn’t even bother to read through all of the texts.

“Go to bed? The party is just starting.” He laughed, his hand wandering even higher until he was gripping my upper thigh and squeezed.

“Unless you want to take it back to our place?” He asked darkly, the way he said it made a shiver run through me.

That’s all Pete seemed to want, and yet, I still couldn’t give it to him…I mean, not all the way at least. Not until I can fully trust him again.

After learning Pete had been sleeping around behind my back, I told him we had to take this slow if he wanted another chance. I didn’t want to just rush into things and get lost in that physical side of our relationship…again. Okay, maybe me moving in with him wasn’t exactly taking things slow, but it was the first real sign of commitment he had ever given me and I clung to it desperately.

“Pete.” I whispered, looking around nervously, just in case someone else was listening. I knew he wasn’t just talking about a blow job. He wanted the full thing. He always asks for s*x when he drinks.

“Come on babe, it’s been weeks.” He mumbled while leaning into me, his mouth dragging across my jaw before settling on my throat. “Haven’t I been punished long enough?”

“Punished? You think that’s why I’m not having s*x with you? Because I’m trying to punish you?” I was shocked. Is that what he’s seriously saying right now?

I pushed on Pete’s chest, trying to pry him off of me as he looked down at me surprised.

Waiting for him to answer my question, I could see that cold side of him start to surface.

“I mean, it’s starting to feel that way. What more do you want from me Ari? I freaking moved in with you to prove I’m committed. You’re the one that’s still holding on to this s**t,” he scoffed, his eyes dragging away from me before looking across the room towards the group of girls that were dancing a few feet away.

I felt my stomach twist into knots. The way he made me feel like I was making a bigger deal about this than I should be caused my heart to ache as I started to wonder if maybe he was right. What more do I want from him? I love Pete…at least, I think I do. He is the only guy I’ve felt truly seen by. The way he was when we first started talking was like a dream come true…and now, he seemed nothing like that person I first fell for.

“Go then, since you clearly don’t want to be here.” He added, doubling down as I felt my hand reach out as he started to pull away.

“Wait, you’re not coming with me?” I rushed, feeling my heart sink at the thought.

“I’m just going to stay a little longer, make sure the guys get home safe.” He informed me, his gaze still locked onto those girls.

“Pete, please. I don’t want to go home by myself.” God I hated this version of me. I hated how desperate I sounded. How needy I’ve become…but this is what I’ve been reduced to.

Pete finally looked towards me, his cold eyed gaze meeting mine as they looked emotionless. “I won’t be long. I can call you an Uber–”

“I can take her back.” A deep voice cut through the loud music, making my head tilt back as my gaze landed on the guy now standing behind the couch, hovering above me.

Ace.

“Oh perfect, thanks dude. I owe you one,” Pete stood, smiling towards his best friend happily like he was doing him the biggest favor ever.

“I will see you at home, okay babe?” Pete bent down, kissing me on the forehead before turning to a group of guys that were now calling him over.

I just watched, realizing Cassidy was standing along with them, as I felt that usual sinking feeling I got whenever Pete said he had to practice late or was studying with some friends. But he wouldn’t do that to me again, right?

“Come on Princess, let’s get you home,” Ace stated, his nickname for me causing my eyes to roll as I let out a sigh and stood up.

“I’m not a princess,” I mumbled, my feet carrying me towards the door. Ace followed not far behind as I tried not to spiral. Cassidy’s laughter was the last thing I heard as I knew exactly who it was that made her laugh.

But he wouldn’t do that to me…not again…right?