“You’re going out?”
I nodded, checking over my outfit. A party at the hockey house was a little nerve wracking, and I rarely got nervous for parties. But Cruz would be there and with how we’d been lately, I wasn’t sure what to expect. We might not talk the whole night until at the end or… I didn’t know. I didn’t know what I wanted either. I’d enjoyed that he sat next to me in class, even if it was just for a bit, and then panicked because that was the whole point of how we needed to stop violating our own rules.
But I’d dressed accordingly, or tried. Black faux-leather leggings with pockets, ripped on some sections of my thighs and knees, and a few rips on the inside of my legs. On top was a simple white shirt, though it was transparent and hugged my entire frame. Under that was a black bra, and I ended it with tiny black shoes that looked like ballet slippers, but weren’t. They were ultra comfortable.
I was okay, but not in Zoe’s league.
“That’s why I came up. I was wondering if I could ask for a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Some of us girls in our group, we’re doing a party hop for Skylar’s birthday. We’re not going to be loud and do anything for attention, but we want to go to as many parties as possible and hang in each place. That’s it. I don’t know if we’ll even drink at every place, but I heard there’s a hockey party tonight.”
I nodded, getting a feel where she was going.
“You’re going, right? Miles mentioned it, said you know the team somewhat.”
“Yeah.” I coughed. “Somewhat.”
“Could we crash it? With you? Or you go, and we’ll come later, but you’ll be our in to get in? Would that be okay?”
Her eyes were wide and her own excitement levels were obvious. She was almost standing on her tiptoes.
I nodded. “Of course, but you don’t need me to get in there. Just show up. Trust me, they’ll let you in.”
She laughed, her voice hitching. “I’m not Skylar. She’s more extroverted, not shy. I’m the opposite. I get nervous before doing parties. We’ve had a whole day already. I baked her three of her favorite birthday cakes, and for breakfast, she had her favorite waffles in bed. I even handpicked a whole bouquet of flowers and snuck it in before the guys saw. She didn’t want a fuss made over her, but that’s what I love to do. Making a fuss over who I love.”
“You guys seem really happy together.”
“I am. I think she is. I love her, a lot.” She gave another beaming smile, her arms stretched out and she wiggled her fingers toward me. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She began edging back to the door. “I’ll give you a text when we’re close to the house.”
“You know where it is?”
Her laugh was abrupt. “Everyone knows where the hockey house is, even me.” One last wave. “See you later! And you look sexy as hell.”
That was nice to hear.
I heard Miles’ voice in the stairway and knew I had three seconds before he’d be bursting through my door. I looked around, making sure I had everything I needed. I trusted the guys at the hockey house so I didn’t need to take alcohol with me, but cash? Check. Keys? I grabbed them, putting them deep into my pocket. They were pushed down so far, I’d have to dig them out later. They’d be safe. And what else?
The door burst open. Miles threw his hands in the air, his face flushed. “Pre party drinking! Let’s do it, roomie.”
I was looking around. “What am I forgetting?”
“Phone?”
“Phone!” I snatched it, shoving it into my other pocket and knowing that’d also be work to get out so it was safe for the night. “I’m ready.”
His grin was crooked as he came over, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “I’m in the mood to get fucked up tonight.”
“Atwater found me yesterday on campus to make sure I was coming today. He said this is supposed to be a small thing?”
He snorted, walking me to the door. “We’ll see if that happens.”
It didn’t happen.
The house was overrun when we got there. Bass music was blasting, though more muted than I was expecting. As we walked inside, the whole first floor was filled with people talking, standing around. A bunch had congregated in the kitchen, where as we walked in, we found Atwater busy finicking over food.
He saw us, and did a double take. “Finally! You’re here.” He threw down a towel that’d been over his shoulder. A red apron was tied around his waist. He snatched up his phone, typing on it. “I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”
Miles and I shared a look.
He asked, “You’ve been waiting for us?”
Atwater gestured to me with his phone. “Daniels. You don’t know the lengths I went to get you here, and now you’re here, and I’m going to let the person know who wanted you here.”
I frowned. Cruz? But that didn’t make sense…
“You told me yesterday this was supposed to be a small shindig.”
He looked around, half glaring, before blowing a puff of air that dislodged some of his hair. His curls fell back in place. “It was supposed to be. Keys is going nuts. Also, Angela was supposed to meet new friends, but guess who took her under her wing? Bianca. Labrowski is not happy with me, so yeah. Basically my ass is going to get beat every day in practice for the rest of the season.”
I had no clue who Angela was, but Gavin came in from another room. Seeing us, he raised his hands in the air. “My people. Finally.”
Two of his frat brothers were with him. They circled us in the kitchen, began eating some of the food. Atwater had put out bags of chips. Salsa in a bowl. Three boxes of pizza, and a whole tray of egg rolls. Fast food wrappers were stacked on one of the counters, along with a plethora of alcohol bottles.
“Sorry to say, but you are looking seriously hot, Daniels. In a way where I want to do dirty dirty things to you.”
I showed my teeth, rounding on Gavin, but it wasn’t him that spoke. It was one of his brothers, who I didn’t know his name.
I glared instead.
Gavin laughed, touching the guy’s forehead and shoving him back. “Down, boy. She ain’t like that. You can look, but don’t approach. Trust me. She took my balls on more than a few occasions.”
The brother was wasted, his eyes almost cross-eyed, but he stared at Gavin. Something mean and dark flashed in his gaze. He opened his mouth, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear whatever he was about to say, but Atwater exploded. Again. “Finally!”
He pushed past us, shoving the frat brother back, and Gavin into me.
I was winded from the impact. It took a little before Gavin extricated himself. He was that drunk, which I figured he would be. I figured most would be since everyone started drinking before the game today. They won, but lost yesterday, so there would’ve been a renewed sense to drink in celebration.
It was then that I saw who Atwater was greeting. A pretty girl. Long dark hair. Hazel eyes. She was tall and slender, and looked a little familiar. She was with another girl, and a guy. Both of their faces were turned away, but they looked at me, and my stomach dropped.