Thin Ice

chapter six

But prolonging a stupid feud with this guy, who is going to be my teammate for the next three seasons whether I like it or not, won't make me feel any better.

Staring up at him with an expression like stone, I finally say, "Fine. I'll give you a clean slate. But one wrong step and I'll gut you like the eel you are-" I hesitate then sigh- "Like the eel you were. Okay?"

Tristan nods. He seems relieved, and even though it could be a front, I don't think it is. I know I'm hard to handle, especially when I actively try to make someone miserable. He's probably just glad I won't be picking fights with him as long as we're friends, and that I won't be sending my actual friends after him. "Okay great, thanks."

Don't thank me, I want to snarl like a damn wolf, but I've only just agreed to being friends. It's too soon to give up on that, so I bite my tongue and force my face to relax. Instead, I give him a jerky nod and plan to escape this very second, but I don't have the chance.

Either from feeling concerned or nosy, the four idiots I call my friends have made their way over to us. Caleb leads the pack, and Hunter trails behind the two brothers who are talking to each other in low voices. Throwing his arms around Tristan and I, Caleb yanks the two of us close to him. Tristan looks rather surprised, but I'm used to Caleb being all touchy-feely, and I just scowl up at him as he says, "Aw, are our two favorite sophomores finally making nice?"

"Hey!" Will snaps. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Caleb laughs, throwing a happy grin Will's way. "Sorry baby, I forget you're only a sophomore. You're very mature, you know."

Will flushes immediately, Tyler makes a noise of complaint yet again for the flirting, and Caleb ignores them both as he turns expectantly back to us.

I punch him in the abdomen hard enough to take his breath away. "How dare you. I am very mature, and we all know Will is everyone's favorite sophomore." Not to mention your personal favorite.

Caleb chokes out a laugh, wincing as he lets us go. "Oh, you're definitely mature."

My eyes narrow into a glare at his sarcasm, but he just flashes another smile and pats my arm in a friendly gesture as he backs away.

"In all seriousness," Tyler glances between Tristan— who has been uncharacteristically quiet— and me. "We didn't see any flying fists or threats. Everything good?"

"You guys are nosy," I scoff. "Mind your own business." I'm sure they'd be glad to hear we're working on possibly developing a friendship, especially Hunter, but then they might want to hang out with him. Tyler likes Tristan, and I can tell they would get along like a house on fire, but I don't want to spend any more time with him than necessary. Honestly, it's probably better for our "friendship" if our contact is minimal.

Tristan glances at me, and I meet his gaze with my own steady one. He doesn't back off, however, and keeps watching me, even going as far to raise an eyebrow in expectation. He obviously expects me to tell them, but he doesn't try and force my hand by saying it first. Instead, he lets me work myself up to it.

I sigh. "He apologized, and we're going to try and... be friends."

He has the audacity to look amused at the tightness of my tone.

"Wonderful!" Caleb says through a laugh. "We don't have to worry anymore about you committing a murder every time you're in the same room together!"

"Oh fuck off," I snap. "Now I just have more time to plan your murder."

Caleb laughs again. "Aren't you sweet."

This time, I ignore him.

Will is watching me carefully, gauging my every reaction like I'm some sort of science experiment. I can tell by his expression that I'm going to have to give him a lot more information later, which I am sure as hell not looking forward to. However, I will definitely give it, not only because he's my best friend, but also because he makes a point to change the subject, thereby saving my sorry ass. "Can we please go eat now? I'm starving."