Juicy Rebound (IceCats Book 1) Read online

  His laughter drops off, and there is so much emotion in his voice as he whispers, “I miss you.”

  We hang up after telling each other we love the other. I hold my phone in my fingertips as I look out at the ocean. I was dreading that call, but it actually went better than I’d thought. Ryan doesn’t apologize easily, so he must have felt bad. It was all avoidable like he said, but we Adler-Justices might be a little stubborn. My phone dings with a text, and it’s from Sofia.

  Sofia: Hey! Thank you! I can’t wait to see you. Pick whatever dress you want as long as it’s red. I love you!

  A small smile sits on my lips. Shit, I’m going home in a matter of months. I haven’t talked to or seen Uncle Shea or my mom in over a year. While mending things with Ryan was easy enough, my mom will be totally different. I need to prepare for that. Before I can even wrap my head around it, Chandler’s number catches my eye. I stare at it for a long time, and then for some odd reason, I input it into my phone.

  Not sure why, but I want to.

  Chapter Three

  Chandler

  At the ding of the bell over the door, Amelia looks my way.

  “You’re so dumb,” Nico says beside me. “She isn’t into you.”

  “Shut it,” I reply as a grin spreads across my lips. I’ve been thinking about her all night. I tossed and turned with memories of Amelia and me in college. They were short and sweet memories, but they were unforgettable for sure. I can still see her in the tight dress she wore to one of our parties. Feel her ass against my groin as she giggled and spoke softly in my ear while Ryan was distracted by his soon-to-be wife. We talked a lot on SnapChat and things like that, but it was always superficial. We never really got to see what could happen between us, and I feel like I have the chance now.

  I gotta jump on that.

  Amelia’s eyes brighten a bit, or at least I think they do, as she meets my gaze. Her hair is down in curls today, and the short flowy red dress she wears gives me a perfect view of her legs. I’ve always loved her legs. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” I say as I come to the counter.

  Nico leans over me. “What’s up? Can I get a mocha latte and a Danish? I’ll be over there. I need it to go, please.” He hooks his thumb to the spot we sat yesterday before he steps back.

  She looks offended. “Hello to you too.”

  He scoffs. “You don’t want me. I’m not wasting my time.” Nico looks at me. “You should do the same.”

  I ignore him as he walks away. My gaze moves along her face, and while her eyes seem brighter, she doesn’t look happy to see me. Before I can ask how she’s doing, she says, “He might be right.”

  “He’s not,” I say simply, lacing my fingers together as I rest my elbows on the counter. “You okay?”

  She looks at the iPad, and while I know I haven’t seen her in years, I can tell something is wrong. She inhales deeply and lets it out as a heavy sigh. “Just a rough day.”

  “Any way I can make it better?”

  She shakes her head, her eyes on the iPad. “Nope. I really didn’t think you’d come in.”

  “Why?”

  “Why would you?”

  “’Cause I wanted to see you,” I say, and she looks up. “Remember? I need my cup of joe and my shot of the most gorgeous girl in the world.”

  She doesn’t want to smile, I can see her struggle, but her lips curve a bit. “I didn’t think you meant it.”

  I draw in my brows. “One thing about me, Am, is I mean what I say.”

  Our gazes stay locked, and I swear, staring into her blue eyes is like staring up at the most magnificent clear-sky day. The kind where there’s a nice breeze and birds are chirping. The sun kisses your skin, and you just feel good. She makes me feel good.

  I clear my throat, and she immediately looks away again. Moment over. “So, you look real pretty today. I like that dress.”

  She’s fighting her grin. “Thanks. I didn’t want to put on pants.”

  I chuckle. “That’s totally legit.”

  She looks up at me through her lashes as she moves to the coffee machine. “Do you have practice today?”

  “On my way there.”

  “Nice.”

  “Yeah. If you’d like, I can get you some tickets. Come as my guest.”

  She shrugs as she sets a paper cup of coffee in front of me. The back of her hand brushes mine, and she quickly tucks it into her apron. “I’m really busy.”

  “You love hockey. You can make time.”

  She bites her lip. “Yeah…I don’t know.”

  “I just want to hang out. Catch up. We can be friends, Amelia,” I say, but even I know that’s not true. I want more. What more, I have no clue, but I have to know this girl. I lost the chance so long ago, and I want it back now.

  Her lips quirk as she sets another cup in front of me before she gets a Danish out of the case. “Maybe.”

  “So, you won’t go out with me tonight?”

  She shakes her head. “I’m actually doing inventory tonight.”

  I eye her. “I think you might be lying to me.”

  “Maybe.”

  When she licks her lips, I smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I grab my coffee and then Nico’s, but as I turn, she says, “I like your tattoos.” I look over my shoulder at her, and she shrugs, indifferent. “And the beard suits you.”

  My heart races in my chest as a slow grin spreads over my lips. “I’m supposed to shave today, but I might not now.”

  She scrunches up her face. “Why?”

  “’Cause you like it.” She narrows her eyes, and I tip my chin up at her. “Hope your day gets better.”

  When she doesn’t say anything, I join Nico at the door and walk out as he shakes his head. “Totally wasting your time.”

  “Nope, she’s worth every second.”

  He takes his stuff, unconvinced, just as my phone rings. I reach into my pocket, and a bigger grin covers my face when I see who it is. “Ryan Justice, this must be important if you’re calling me.”

  My best friend laughs. “I call you.”

  “Rarely. Too obsessed with your girl.”

  “Hey, just ’cause you married a crazy one doesn’t mean it isn’t okay to be obsessed with a good one.” I look back at Perk Me Up, and I find Amelia still watching me. Her hip is propped against the counter as she chews on the end of a pen. When she notices that I see her, she looks away. I smile. Ryan isn’t wrong.

  “I hear you. What’s up?” I ask as I get into my truck, starting it up. I glance over at Nico, and he’s already inhaled his Danish. That thing had no chance at all.

  “Listen, I need a best friend favor.”

  I perk my brow as I drive off. “That sounds serious.”

  “Yeah, so, my sister is in Molten. Over on Beach Haven. I think maybe down the street from you.”

  I blink, unsure where this is going. “Oh?” I feign surprise.

  “Yeah, you remember Amelia, don’t you?”

  How could I forget her? “Yeah.”

  “We have a bit of family drama going on, and I just need to know she’s okay. I don’t know where she is working, but I’m going to—”

  “Actually, I just saw her,” I say, and I brace for impact.

  “Where?”

  “At a coffee shop. Perk Me Up.”

  I’m met with silence before he lets out a long sigh. “Hm, that’s odd.”

  “She seems to like it.”

  “Does she look okay?”

  Beautiful. “Yeah, I guess.”

  “Okay, that’s good. Listen, do me a favor. Keep an eye on her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. You two were cool. Get her to hang out, make sure she is okay. I’m worried she’s up to something she shouldn’t be, and I don’t like that she won’t come home.”

  Pretty sure his definition of hang out and mine are way different. “Maybe she just wants a new start?”

  “Or she’s hiding s