Free On Thin Ice (The Baltimore Banners Book 8) by Lisa B. Kamps

getting to know her last weekend at Casino Night, thought that maybe she had warmed up to him a little. He'd obviously thought wrong. And hell, it wasn't like he had time for a relationship anyway. He wasn't even looking for one, not when his game had to take top priority, not when—
    "Haskell, what the hell are you doing? Come on, man, get out of my way." Justin nudged him to the side, shooting him a worried look.
    "Sorry." Kenny stepped back to make room for him. "Should you even be playing? You just got cleared. I didn't think you'd want to take any chances."
    "I'm fine. Besides, it was my left arm. I'm right-handed. If I can't throw a couple of bowling balls, I shouldn't be playing hockey."
    Kenny grunted in response then moved back to the plastic bench, wondering how long this farce was going to continue. They were on the second frame of the first game. They were supposed to break for pizza after that, then play a second game.
    Once again, he looked over at the foursome across from him, noticed the way they talked quietly among themselves. Well, three of them were, anyway. Lauren was just half-sitting, half-slouching, her fingers picking at the faded denim of her torn jeans. Her hair fell around her face in loose waves, the ends flipped up in a careless wind-blown style that looked like she had just stepped off the beach. There were even some paler streaks of gold shot-through the darker brown that enhanced the impression—which was completely ridiculous, considering it was cold enough to snow outside.
    And she didn't look like she was enjoying herself. In fact, everything about her, from the thoughtful frown on her face to the way she kept picking at her jeans, sent out the clear message that she'd rather be anywhere except here.
    He knew the feeling.
    She looked up and their eyes met. A jolt of surprise shot through him and he almost looked away, afraid he'd been caught staring. And then she scowled at him, her brows lowering in a frown, her full lips pursing in distaste.
    What the hell was her problem?
    She looked away and said something to the guy she was with. Kenny gritted his teeth and reached for his beer, feigning interest in the half-hearted game. A sudden idea struck him. Half-baked and completely ludicrous, but an idea nonetheless. Kenny pulled the phone from his back pocket and tapped the screen, bringing it to life. He thumbed through his contacts, frowning as he scanned the names. It had to be there, he knew he saved it—
    There it was. He tapped the name then brought up the messaging app, his thumb rapidly moving over the on-screen keyboard.
    Did I do something to piss you off?
    He hit send then looked up, watching Lauren. A few seconds passed before she frowned and reached behind her, pulling her own phone out. Her frown deepened and she quickly glanced at him before typing something. She shoved the phone back in her pocket and turned to the side, facing away from him.
    His phone vibrated in his hand and he looked down to read the message.
    Sry. Wrng nmbr
    Kenny frowned, shot her another look, then typed.
    Really?
    He waited but she didn't bother to move. He typed in another message.
    Hello?
    Still nothing. So he hit resend, over and over. She finally grabbed her phone with a sigh even he could hear from where he was sitting. A few seconds went by before he felt the vibration in his hand. He looked down and almost smiled.
    What are you, twelve?
    Twenty-five if really want to know
    I don't. Leave me alone
    Kenny looked over at her and bit back another smile. She was gritting her teeth, a look of sheer exasperation on her face. But she didn't put her phone away, so he took that as a good sign.
    So why are you mad at me?
    She looked up him, impatience flashing in her eyes as she typed without really looking at the screen.
    Leave me alone
    No
    Her lips moved, like she was talking to herself. Kenny didn't hear her but he'd swear she just cursed. He typed another message. So who's the guy?
    Okay, so maybe