Time seems to stand still as the ball powers towards top bins. The keeper jumps, but he’s a split second too late, and the ball sails over his head. It hits the back of the net, and the ref blows three sharp whistles.
We celebrate as if we’ve won the game, but to be honest, we’re just happy to take the two points against the team sitting second on the ladder—especially playing on our home turf. After our terrible start to the season, we’re starting to gel and play good soccer, and when our captain finishes with a run from the back line like that, it’s enough to lift us all.
The mood is high in the change rooms, but my smile drops when Jasper announces a party at their place. I’m meeting my masked shadow at Euphoria at ten, so I’ll have to find a way to dip out of the party early without drawing attention to myself. There’s no way my mates will let me skip it altogether.
“You good?” Ritter asks, noticing my expression.
“Yeah,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m still feeling a little under the weather.”
It’s a lie, but if I’m ducking out of the party early, it’s best to lay the groundwork now.
“At least come for one beer?”
I pretend to think it over. “Yeah, one won’t hurt me.”
“Damn straight, brother.” He grins and slaps me on the back.
I shove Ritter off me with a playful hand to his face and make my way over to our captain, who’s sitting in front of his cubby, staring at the floor and looking like he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders.
He looks up as I approach and tries to smile, but it comes across as more of a grimace.
“What’s up?” I drop onto the bench next to him and nudge him with my shoulder, ignoring the stirring in my stomach from the innocent contact. “For someone who went beast mode to score the clincher, you look like you’re on your way to a funeral.”
He drags a hand through his hair. “It was a draw.”
“We still get the two points,” I say with a shrug, leaning back against the cubby.
The room is buzzing with guys shouting, laughing, and roughhousing. Noah doesn’t seem to register any of it.
“Yeah.” His shoulders sag.
Something’s definitely off with him.
“Come on. Spill. What else is bugging you?”
He lets out a heavy sigh. His gaze flicks to the change room door like he’s looking for an escape. “I’m not in the party mood.”
“Then hide in your room,” I say. “No one will even notice you’re not there after a few drinks.”
“That’s not—” He cuts himself off, his jaw tightening. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter.” He jerks to his feet, his bag slamming against his hip as he swings it up. “See you there.”
I shake my head as I watch him leave. He’s a fucking conundrum sometimes.
Cars are already liningthe street when we arrive at Noah’s townhouse. It didn’t take long for word to spread. I check my watch. It’s seven. I have a couple of hours to kill before ducking out.
I follow my teammates into the party, greeting people as we make our way to the kitchen to grab drinks. Our captain’s nowhere to be seen, and I wonder if he took my advice and he’s hiding in his room. I’m tempted to go check, but it doesn’t feel right, and I don’t want to walk in on him with his girlfriend if Hannah’s here.
Instead, I head into the living room and try to enjoy myself.
Blake takes a swig of his beer, then points the bottle across the room to where Theo licks salt off some girl’s tits, then downs the shot of tequila she spits into his mouth. “If I ever end up like that, can one of you put me out of my misery?”
“Seriously,” Ritter agrees.
“He’s not so bad,” I say, defending the guy I grew up with. “He’s just a little… lost.”
Everett snorts. “The dude is travelling down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole. Sometimes I wonder how he even graduated.”
The others laugh, but my gaze lingers on Theo, wondering what the hell is going on with him. Despite what our teammates think, he’s not dumb. Far from it. The guy has a ridiculously high IQ and an honours degree in mechanical engineering. It’s hard to believe this chaotic party guy is the same kid who grew up obsessed with planes and taking his toys apart so he could see how they work. Something is going on with him, but while I’ve known hima long time, we’re not close enough that I’m comfortable asking him.
