Taming the Ice #21 Ace Andrews

Chapter 5-I Need a Plan

Ari

I pushed through the cafe doors. My shift didn’t start for another hour but there was no way in hell I was going to stick around the apartment waiting for Pete to wake up. I needed to come up with a plan…and fast.

After Pete laid everything out on the table, he proceeded to pull me into bed with him and eventually passed out. Every part of my body where he touched felt like it was crawling with ants. I was disgusted. Who all had he been touching just tonight alone? I kept going through our entire relationship, wondering if those gut feelings were exactly what I thought they were as I played out every single scenario in my head.

By the end of it, I came to the conclusion that I was a damn fool.

How did I let this happen not just once, but twice now. Then I started to realize that everyone else probably knew too. I mean, there was no way the girls he had been sleeping with weren’t talking about it. Was I the laughing stock on campus? Is that what those lingering stares and quiet whispers were always about?

“Ugh,” I groaned, letting my head hang forwards as I placed my palms flat on the counter in front of me. “What am I going to do?”

All the money I managed to save over the past few months went towards the security deposit for the apartment with Pete. Okay, maybe it didn’t all go towards the security deposit. There might’ve been a few other purchases involving clothes, shoes and makeup that I’ve collected along the way. But I’m a stress buyer…and lately, the stress has been unreal. Getting nice things for myself makes me forget about all of the other s**t that seems to be constantly going on around me.

Maybe I can pick up some more shifts here at the cafe. Right now I only have afternoon classes so my mornings are mostly free. But I know the owner, Nina just hired two new baristas for the evening shifts, so that might not be an option at the moment.

“Wow, you’re here early. Boyfriend out of town or something?” Lisa, one of the managers, teased. Yeah, most days I might come in a little later than I should. But that’s usually Pete’s fault which Lisa seemed to guess.

“No, I just wanted to get a head start on everything. I’m sure we’ll be slammed today with people trying to nurse their hang overs,” I replied cheerfully, slipping on that bubbly persona people expected me to have.

“I like to hear it. We’re going to need that positive attitude considering Gregory just called in, so it’s good you got here early,” She added while making her way to the back fridge.

Usually that type of news would elicit some type of groan from me, but today, I welcomed it. I needed the distraction and a busy day at work was the perfect thing to do just that.

After washing my hands and slipping on my apron, I got to work. Lisa has been working here since Nina opened up the place. She takes her job very seriously and doesn’t like socializing much when it comes to work. She’s strictly business, which I don’t mind, especially on days like this.

So once we got to work, time seemed to fly by.

Before I knew it, three hours had already passed. We were swamped. Dozens of students filed in, seeking their hangover cures in the form of coffee as Lisa and I pushed through.

“Hey, why don’t you go take a break before the next rush comes through,” Lisa offered as I wiped down one of the tables a group of girls had just left.

“Are you sure? I still need to restock the bar.” I glanced towards the practically empty counter space where you would find straws, napkins, sugar packets, and other condiments.

“I got it. Go on,” She stated while nodding towards the back.

“Okay, I’ll only be a few minutes. If more people come in, just let me know.”

Walking back towards the break area, I felt like my feet were in quicksand. The fact that I had been going without a single break for three hours was setting in as I plopped down on the small couch we had in the back before pulling out my phone.

I’d been trying to avoid it…but the small vibrations I felt throughout the morning was enough of a hint on what to expect.

Turning on the screen, I saw 7 missed calls and 9 texts. They weren’t all from Pete, but the majority were.

Funny how he texts me only when I’m trying to avoid him. It doesn’t feel good to be ignored, does it?

Letting out a long sigh, I opened up the chat, seeing a few texts from Elodie first before finally going to Pete’s.

Elodie: Hey girl, miss you. Want to meet up for lunch before class?

Elodie: Oh wait, you might be working today. We have to get together soon though…I miss you.

The guilt I felt from those texts just piled on with everything else. I was being such a shitty friend…I knew it…Elodie probably knew it. But right now, I just didn’t know if I could face her, especially not after what Pete said last night.

Speaking of the devil…

Pete: Hey.

Pete: Where did you go?

Pete: You’re not mad at me are you?

No Pete, I’m not mad…I’m freaking livid.

Pete: This is going to work out the best for both of us babe. You’ll see. I’m going to be an even better boyfriend now and spoil the f**k out of you.

Pete: Can you at least text me back? You didn’t have to leave without saying goodbye.

That’s when he must’ve started to blow up my phone with calls.

Pete: You’re going to ignore me now? I’m getting a lot of mixed f*****g signals here Ari. You told me you were cool with this.

Of course he forgot I had to work today. Typical…

But the last text was the icing on the cake.

Pete: I’m going to practice. We need to talk about this tonight. Maybe over dinner? We can go to that sushi place you like. xo

I scoffed. The nerve of this guy. Seriously? He wants to talk about this over sushi like we are on some freaking date.

Before I could even think of a reply, Lisa called out to me, pulling my attention away from the dumpster fire that was now my life.

“Ari! Someone’s here to see you!”

Oh god, he didn’t come to my work, did he?

After shoving my phone back into my apron, I jumped up from the couch, feeling like my heart was about to burst from my chest.

He better not try and make a scene or something. When has he ever come and visited me at work? I can’t even recall the last time. Unless he comes here with his team mates, but it’s a little early for practice to be over.

Striding towards the front of the cafe, every step I took had my nerves going haywire. I wasn’t good at confrontation. At least not when it came to my own s**t. Standing up for other people, yeah, I could do that…but this…it made me want to puke.

I rounded the corner, my eyes scanning the practically empty cafe when they landed on a broad back facing me from across the counter. The number 21 stood out brightly against the dark blue sweatshirt as relief instantly flooded through me.

Ace…

But what was he doing here?

I stepped closer, watching as he slowly turned around to face me. Those gray eyes locking onto mine as my stomach twisted into knots.

“Ari.” His deep voice rumbled from his chest. The way he said my name caused goosebumps to prickle across my skin as I searched Ace’s handsome face carefully…that’s when my stomach dropped.

Oh god…he knew.

I’m not sure how I knew, but the pity in his eyes and that slight frown on his lips was a big enough clue.

Pete freaking told him…

That prick! He was probably bragging about it to all of his friends. Ugh! I hate him…I freaking hate him so much.

“H-hey. What’s up?” I managed to say, swallowing down the anger that was starting to boil up inside of me.

Was I just some joke to all of them? Did he want to see if it was true? That I really was some i***t that was sticking by Pete’s side, letting him use me any and every way he wanted?

“Are you…I mean, how are you doing?” He began, this awkwardness coming between us as I tried to play it off like everything was fine.

Then it hit me…wait, did Pete send him here to spy on me? That had to be it. He sent his best friend to do his bidding because he couldn’t face me on his own.

“I’m great.” I chirped, my voice coming out bubbly and carefree as I gave Ace a big ass smile.

I watched as his brow furrowed in confusion. His eyes scanned my face intently as he seemed to be studying my every move.

“Do you want me to make something for you? You usually drink espresso, right?” I began, turning away from him as I started to walk towards the espresso machine on the counter behind me.

But before I could take another step forward, I felt a strong hand reach out, grabbing my wrist and stopping me in my tracks.

“Ari. Are you really okay?” His words came out much deeper. The soft tone of his voice took me by surprise as I felt them reach into my soul, almost cracking me in two and forcing those feelings to come flooding out.

But he didn’t really care. How could he? Pete was Ace’s best friend. He was just as bad as Pete was when it came to girls. They probably high fived and s**t once Pete told him.

I took a deep breath, collecting myself like I always had to do in the past before putting on that mask. Turning my head, I went to face him, those gray eyes seeming to be even more stormier than usual as I peered into them, trying to prove my point even more.

“I’m fine Ace. Really. There’s nothing for you…or Pete…to worry about.” I stated, letting him know that I knew exactly why he was here right now. “So you can go ahead and tell him whatever it is that you came here to find out–”

“What makes you think I’m here for Pete?”

My eyes blinked rapidly, what he said caused my head to jerk back in surprise as I stared up at him in confusion. If he wasn’t here because of Pete, then why else was he here?

We just stood there, looking at one another as I felt my heart start to race. The fact that his large hand was still wrapped around my wrist didn’t fully register until the heat from his palm began to creep up my arm.

My lips parted. The question as to why he was here was on the tip of my tongue as I watched his eyes flick down to my lips before darting back up.

What the hell was that?

The air around us felt like it was charged with electricity. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end as warmth flooded through my body before settling between my legs. The reaction I was having came as a complete surprise as a brief memory from the past flashed through me.

I felt like this with Ace once before. It wasn’t the first time Ace had gotten a reaction out of me. But last time, I didn’t know how to process it exactly.

It was when we were all supposed to go to the movies. Pete actually set the whole thing up…but by the end of the night, he cancelled and had to help his cousin with car troubles. After knowing what I do now…I doubt it was his f*****g cousin at all. Probably some girl he was hooking up with.

Ace said he would still go with me. The entire time I kept checking my phone to see if Pete was going to reach out to me but he never did. And that’s when Ace yanked the phone away from me, making it so I had to watch the movie.

By the end of the night Ace and I had somehow gotten into a situation just like this one. His hand was gripping mine as he started to pull me towards the concession stand, determined to get an ice cream before the place closed. I felt my stomach flip as the same warmth I’m feeling now practically knocked me on my ass.

I never felt anything like it before. I mean, I hardly knew Ace. So why the hell was I having a reaction to him like that? I chalked it up to feeling vulnerable and alone because of what Pete did that night…but now I see it. There's an attraction here. An attraction I’ve been trying so damn hard to avoid this entire time out of respect for Pete.

But maybe that’s the answer to all of this…

I started to think what it is that I could do to make Pete know exactly what it feels like to be hurt and betrayed. Who is the one person Pete loves more than he loves himself? Ace Andrews…

Okay, maybe not more…but he’s up there. Pete worships the ground Ace walks on. They are like brothers.

But the question is…would Ace even go for it?

Slipping my tongue out, I wet my bottom lip, watching as Ace’s eyes followed my movement’s intently. The way his Adam's apple bobbed up and down caused butterflies to flood through me as his grip on my wrist seemed to tighten.

“Are you okay Ace?” I whispered the words, the delicate tone of my voice making his eyes dart to my own before a seductive smile pulled at his lip, revealing his perfectly white teeth and making my stomach flip.

“As long as you're okay, then I’m okay.” He leaned in towards me, his elbow coming down onto the counter top as heat crept up my neck. “But you’re not okay, are you Princess? In fact, you’re pretty f*****g pissed, aren’t you?”

My face dropped. The fact that he called me out made my eyelashes flutter as I tried to think of what to say next. Why did he have to be so damn good at this? Did he seriously see right through me or was he bluffing?

“What makes you think that?” I laughed awkwardly, trying to tug my arm free as the urge to run away and hide began to kick in.

Ace just stared at me. The way his eyes seemed to be peering right through me had my own gaze darting away as I finally managed to free my wrist from his grasp.

“Just a hunch.” Ace finally added before straightening his back and stepping away from the counter.

My plan to seduce him and get revenge on Pete went completely out the window as I realized just exactly how intimidating Ace Andrews really was. There was no way he would go for this…and I was in no way confident enough to even try.

Just as I was about to make some type of excuse to run away from Ace, the door opened as a group of girls came walking in.

“Well, I better get back to work.” I rushed, thanking god for the distraction as I watched Ace nod in understanding.

“Sure thing Princess. I’ll be seeing you around.”

I was left with those words ringing through my ears. My eyes glued to Ace’s muscular back as he turned and went to walk out of the cafe. Of course the girls that just walked in all burst into giggles and whispers as they stared after him just like I was.

Oh god, I’m no better than the puck bunnies…but who can blame me?

There is no way I can throw myself at Ace with the way that just went…I don’t think I can handle another rejection.

Looks like I need to come up with a new plan…