02

02

Bella Reyes

“You know how I'm always hanging out with the hockey guys, right?”

I chuckled. “Yeah. I've actually been meaning to ask you why you haven't considered playing hockey yourself.” He gave me a look that instantly made me nervous. “I mean, you're always around them, watching their games, plus you have the build for it. I was just curious.”

“Yeah, I do. I know that.” Tyler slumped back into the couch with a heavy sigh.

“Is that making you uncomfortable?”

“What?”

“The couch.” I laughed. “It's pretty old now. I don't have the money to replace it yet since my mom cut off my allowance.”

“No, Bella, stop… doing that. You know how much I hate it when you do that.”

My chest tightened. “Do what?” I shook my head.

“Just stop with the hockey talk.”

Oh.

He massaged his temples. “You know I love hockey, and I'd give anything in the world to be on the ice. You know it's literally my dream to play, and I have the talent for it, yeah. But then you just casually bring it up like…” He sighed again.

“Like what?” My brow furrowed, my heart rate speeding up. “Like what, Tyler?”

He stood up from the couch so suddenly that I flinched, pulling back a little. “Like…” Tyler shoved his fingers deep into his hair and let out another frustrated breath. “Never mind,” he rasped. “Are you going to help me with that favor or not?” He turned toward me, and I froze, stopping my attempt to inch further away from him.

I hated whenever Tyler got mad. It broke a little piece of my heart, but I genuinely couldn't figure out what had just triggered him. I had never really brought up hockey with him before. Well, technically, he never stopped talking about hockey himself, even though I barely understood any of it. But we had never talked about why he didn't play for the school team if he adored the sport so much. Seeing him this worked up left a knot in my chest, and I had no idea what to say or do to fix the mood.

The movie we had put on kept playing low in the background, the screen flickering just enough for me to watch his expression shift. “Of course. I'd do anything for you, Tyler.” I lowered my eyes for a second before looking back up at him. “You just haven't told me what you need help with yet.”

Tyler sat back down, resting his elbows on his thighs while clenching his jaw. I rubbed the palms of my hands together, unsure of how to navigate the tension. I had really hoped we would have a sweet, quiet night together, especially since my roommate was out and I had the whole room to myself. I had wanted us to make the most of the evening, watch a movie together, share some popcorn, and maybe make out. He was my boyfriend, after all. It wasn't crazy to want to cuddle up to him and trace the lines of his arms.

Tyler and I hadn't crossed that intimate line yet, but I loved him enough to want to. From the moment he asked me to be his girlfriend, I knew I would eventually want to take that next step with him. And tonight, even though I had clearly misread his mood, I had secretly hoped we would get closer. But clearly…

I sighed softly, reaching out to touch his forearm. “Tyler, talk to me.”

He shifted away from my touch, sending a fresh spike of worry through me. “Please, just tell me what's wrong. If it makes you feel any better, I'll never talk to you about hockey ever again.”

His jaw relaxed slightly, and he let out a long breath. “You know how I'm always hanging around those arrogant hockey players?”

I made sure not to interrupt him this time. “Yes.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose like it physically hurt to explain, making me even more anxious. Then his lips parted, and I held my breath.

“So, I took on a job for one of them. Technically, not directly for him, but whatever. It doesn't matter how I got it. The point is, the job was to keep an eye on some rich brat. Basically babysitting an arrogant, grown man, and…”

My pulse spiked uncomfortably. “And what?”

“I ended up getting into an argument with him, and things…”

“What?” I gasped. “You fought him? Why, Tyler?”

I didn't think he had a mean streak like that in him.

He glanced at my shocked face and quickly looked away. “Stop making a huge deal out of it. It wasn't that serious. The guy was just being an asshole… whatever, forget it.” He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I accidentally left my laptop at the guy's place, and I need you to help me pick it up. I have a huge project due this week, and if I miss the deadline, I'm completely screwed. I just need you to swing by and get it for me tonight. Please.”

My mind registered his request. Why had he built it up like some massive ordeal when he could have just explained that from the start?

Before his eyes could drift back to mine, I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I can totally do that.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” I nodded quickly. “Just text me the address.”

“Right now?” His eyes widened in genuine surprise. “You're okay with going right away?”

I furrowed my brows at how shocked he sounded. “Yeah, of course. It's just picking up a laptop. I'll go get it, and then I'll come straight back so we can finish our movie night.” I offered him a small smile, and he finally mirrored it.

“You're the absolute best, Bella.” He immediately grabbed his phone off the table. “I'll send you the address right now.”

I nodded, reaching over to pick up my own phone from the side table as it lit up.

“Sent.” He beamed.