The Hockey Star's Chasing Game

want to get away. I break free from his grasp and run back to the main room. Luckily, Isla immediately notices something is wrong and jumps up without waiting for an explanation.Once outside, I tell her the short version of what just happened, whereupon Isla launches into some not-so-nice insults about Tate.Because I'm so exhausted from the whole day, a few tears start to run down my cheek.Isla immediately pulls me into her arms and says comfortingly in my ear: "He's just an asshole."Of course she's right, but I still feel like shit. I think I should have known somehow.We're almost at the dorm when a voice suddenly calls out from the side. "Twice in one day."I look over at Asher, who's standing in front of a bar, holding his cell phone. At least he seems to be alone. He grins at me in his typical Asher way, which I've always had a weakness for.However, his grin falters when he looks at my face. I don't know what I look like, but it can't be good.Concerned, he asks me, "Is everything okay, Emmy?"I nod and feel Isla's hand resting calmly on my arm.Since I don't say anything to his question, he follows up with slightly narrowed eyes: "Did someone do something to you?""It's just a bad day. Everything's

ment.For me, however, the first thing I need is a present for her. Luckily, Isla promised to help me find one and drove with me to Detroit.I have absolutely no idea what to give Gianna. She's quite demanding, so I don't even dare to try certain things. They probably wouldn't meet her standards anyway.As I walk through the shops with Isla, she says to me, "I can't believe you're siblings."I make a face, and she bursts out laughing. "Sorry, but you guys are really so different."This time I just shrug. She's right that we're very different, but I'm sure I can always rely on her.Gianna is the only one in my family who knows about my crush on Asher. I confessed it to her two years ago. It hurt me that she still threw herself at him at every opportunity afterward, but I know she doesn't mean any harm. I think she sometimes doesn't even realize what she's doing.After wandering through the shops for about two hou

u're so reluctant, Emmy."I run my hand over my face in resignation. I can't get out of this. There's no reason I want to give my mother why I'd rather take the bus for almost ten hours than the four-hour drive with Asher."I don't want to impose myself," I make one last weak attempt, which my mother immediately stops."You're not doing that. Asher will probably be happy to have some company on the long car ride."I doubt that, at least as far as my company is concerne