Three weeks ago at this time, I was sprawled on Luke’s bed with his head between my legs making me see stars. Now, I’m three drinks deep at a party with my teammates, wishing I was still in that bed with him. And if Grace hadn’t asked me to come with her tonight, I probably would be.
Even though he was a complete asshole at our game last Friday. I know what he’s saying is true, and we need to separate what we are outside the rink and what we are inside, but it didn’t make it easier to swallow to see him so dismissive of me. It reminded me of how he was when I first met him, and I didn’t really like that version of Luke. I want the Luke I see in his apartment, relaxed and playing cards with me until we find ourselves in the bedroom for the rest of the night.
Since the game that night, and pretty much since the semester has started, we’ve only been able to see each other at practice or our workouts and have kept things as professional as either of us are capable of. With everyone back from break, there’s been no more following me into the shower or sleepoversat his place since Grace hasn’t been staying over at Bryant’s house. I guess one of his roommates got the flu, so they’ve been trying to be careful.
But that just means that I haven’t been able to sneak over to Luke’s without the possibility of raising suspicion. I don’t want to lie to Grace if she were to ask where I’m staying, and she wouldn’t buy the excuse that I’m staying over at my parents more than a couple of times without starting to ask questions.
So it’s fairly safe to say that both Luke and I have been a little…frustrated lately.
I stare at his text he sent me a couple hours ago when I told him I was going to a party tonight instead of trying to sneak over to see him.
Me: Grace ended up asking me to come with her tonight and I don’t really think I can bail since I don’t work tomorrow morning and can use that as an excuse.
64: Guess it’s just me and my hand tonight then. Have fun. Don’t drink too much or I’ll kick your ass tomorrow
I’m glad he wasn’t upset that I canceled on him, but part of me wanted him to be a little annoyed that we weren’t going to get to spend the night together. Grace had mentioned it was one of the guys on the hockey team’s birthday this weekend and that there was going to be a party. It sounded to me like she was going to go with Bryant and I’d be in the clear with everyone else distracted, but then earlier she asked if I’d come with them.
We made a promise before winter break that we’d enjoy our final semester together, and I just couldn’t say no.
“It’s your turn!” Grace taps me on the shoulder, and I quickly turn my phone off to tuck it away. She hands me a sticky ping-pong ball, and I lob it across the table. It bounces off one of the cups laid out and rolls onto the ground.
“I hate this stupid game,” I grumble and take another sip of my mixed drink. The back of my teeth feel fuzzy from all the sugar, but I don’t care. It’s delicious.
“You’re only calling it stupid ‘cause you suck,” Bryant chides from across the table. Grace hides her laugh behind her beer, and I shoot her a scolding look.
“Don’t betray me like that! Your boyfriend is whooping our ass already. Can’t you go distract him or something so we don’t lose for the second game in a row?”
“Babe, can’t you let us win just once?” she pleads.
“No can do, hon, sorry. Losing’s not in my DNA.”
I roll my eyes, and Grace takes her shot, also missing.
Bryant sinks two cups in a row, and that ends it for us. “Alright,” I say, wiping my mouth after chugging the last of my drink. “I’m done with this game. Someone else can take my spot.”
“No, you can’t.” Grace grabs my arm. “Just one more.”
“I see you still suck at beer pong,” a familiar voice says to my left, and I whip my head around. The fast movement makes me stumble slightly, but Mason catches my elbow. “You good?”
“Yes,” I say and blink quickly, trying to clear my vision. “Thank you. And also to answer your question, nope, still suck at it.”
He laughs easily and brushes his black hair back from his face. “Glad I’m not suffering as your partner anymore like poor Grace here.” He holds a hand over his heart in mock sympathy. “My condolences.”
She bows her head in acknowledgment, and I flip both of them off. Bryant comes over to our side of the table and takes over for me with Grace against Austen and Aubrey.
“Want another drink?” Mason asks and nods toward my empty cup. I shouldn’t, but I’ve been doing a lot of things I shouldn’t be doing lately.
“Why not,” I say and follow him to the kitchen. “How have you been? Semester going good for you?”
“It’s been fine. Classes suck, but what’s new.” He shrugs and pours me a drink. “Season kinda sucks, too. Looks like it’ll be on you guys to win a title this year.”
He hands me a cup and I thank him. “Sorry about the team. That’s a hard way to go out for your last year.” The boys’ team has a losing record, and it’s not even looking like they’ll make the tournament this year.
Mason brushes it off as he seemingly does with everything else in his life. “Whatever. How about you, how have you been? Made time for anyone new in your life?”
“Why, are you asking for yourself to see if I’ve opened up any availability?”
“You always were smarter than me.” We laugh and it feels nice to still be in a good place with him even after we’ve broken up. “No, I know that ship has sailed. Just asking as a friend.”
