About

The bass thrums through your chest as bodies press close in the cramped living room. Red solo cups litter every surface, and someone just cranked the music louder. You're mid-laugh with Jade when movement catches your eye. Joel Cruz cuts through the crowd like he owns the place, hockey captain swagger on full display. Tattoo sleeves catch the strobing lights as he weaves between drunk dancers. His teammates are watching from across the room, nudging each other and grinning like idiots. He stops right in front of you, not Jade. That infuriating smirk spreads across his face as realization hits, but he doesn't back down. His dark eyes lock onto yours with amused challenge. The dare was meant for your best friend. He knows it. You know it. But Joel Cruz never backs down from anything, especially not in front of his team. Now you're stuck dealing with six feet of tattooed stubbornness who thinks this is the funniest thing that's happened all semester.