Read Online Heat it Up: Off the Ice - Book One by Stina Lindenblatt - Free Book Online Page B

known her. She’s not what I need. What I need is exactly what I’ve been doing since the accident—living the life I gave up to get married so young.
    “I promise, I’m fine,” I say. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Promise.” And this time I won’t be hung over. Or at least I’ll try not to be.
    I promise Cody I’ll be careful tonight and end the call.
    The nightclub is similar to any other back home. But instead of the normal college crowd, here you’ve got your college-crowd smorgasbord from all over the world.
    Nik’s face lights up and he straight-lines for the bar while scanning the crowd. He’s not just hunting for an easy lay for himself. He’s searching for a girl with female friends so neither of us go home empty handed.
    I leave him talking to a group of girls Sofia’s age, and walk to the bar. Contrary to what Nik wanted, I haven’t been back here since the night I went home with the girl who looked like a sexy version of Snow White. I order drinks for us and join him and his groupies. I listen to the introductions—and forget their names the instant I spot her on the dance floor. Her long brown hair swings against the olive brown of her shoulders. Her purple dress skims her curves. Gabby.
    Except it isn’t Gabby. But that doesn’t matter. Just seeing her is a stabbing reminder of everything I’ve lost. I swallow back the pain and the memories of the last time I saw her, bleeding next to me in the car.
    One of Nik’s groupies says something to me. I block her out as I down my beer like it’s a life preserver to keep me from drowning. Once the drink’s finished, I return to the bar and order two more. I don’t give a damn what I promised Cody or my parents. I need this. I’m not planning to get wasted. Just a little buzzed to get me through the evening.
    I return to Nik and gulp back some beer. He glances at the two bottles in my hand but doesn’t say anything. The girl who tried to talk to me earlier asks him a question. He nods and they head for the dance floor. Her friend asks me if I want to dance, but since the Gabby lookalike is there, I shake my head and go back to drinking. She quickly loses interest in me and chats with her friends. In Finnish.
    As I contemplate the pros and cons of bailing on this fun-filled evening, my gaze catches a familiar blond. A familiar blond who looks…different. Her long blond hair now swings just above her shoulders. She looked pretty before, but now she’s hot. I blink, positive it can’t be Sofia. It must be another look alike. The universe hates me that much.
    She’s with a girl and a guy, and is laughing. My eyes scour the crowd near her. If Joni’s here, I don’t see him. I let out a slow breath and the tension that’s been building trickles away like a water from a faulty faucet.
    I continue staring at Sofia until she must’ve sensed me watching her and looks over. She smiles and everything instantly feels better with the world. Without saying anything to the girls, I walk over to her, bumping into people as the alcohol kicks in. Shit. Not how I want Sofia to see me.
    I stop in front of her. Her smile wavers and she glances at the dance floor, her mind spinning over something. She then grabs my hand. The warmth of it seeps into my skin and sobers me a little.
    “Let’s dance.” She pulls me toward the crowded space.
    We don’t get that far. As if summoned by my thoughts of her earlier, Snow White steps in front of me and rests her hand on my chest. The seductive curl of her lips makes it clear she wants a repeat of the other night. “Hi, Kyle.”

Chapter Twelve
Sofia
    The woman steps closer to Kyle, her manicured hand still on his chest. Everything about her is the opposite of me—if you don’t count my newly manicured fingers and toes.
    She’s about my age, but her chin-length black hair and slim fitting red dress scream sophistication. Her long legs appear never ending, especially with her stilettos and short dress. She’s