So why do I feel hollow?
Bree appears at my elbow, giggling and hanging off Holden's arm. She's been extra loud all night, making sure everyone knows she's here. Making sureInotice.
I don't care. The only person I want to see isn't here.
Sutton disappeared after the game. I meant to find her right away, pull her into my arms, and kiss her in front of everyone. But Dad cornered me first, then the scout, then Coach, and then my teammates dragged me here.
I pull out my phone to text her, but Pierce snatches it away.
"No drama tonight! We’re celebrating!"
"Give it back, man."
"Five more minutes. Then you can be whipped."
Five more minutes turns into twenty. Then forty. Then I lose track entirely.
Pierce challenges me to a round of pool. I win. Then another. I'm invincible tonight. Can't miss.
"Another beer for the MVP!" Holden shouts.
"I really should go," I say, but someone's already putting a fresh bottle in my hand.
"One more! Come on!"
The thing is, I'm having fun. Real, actual fun for the first time in weeks. The pressure's off. The game went perfectly. My dad is happy—for once.
For tonight, I can just be a college kid celebrating with his team.
I'll deal with the rest tomorrow.
Bree keeps trying to insert herself into conversations, laughing too loudly at jokes that aren't funny. At one point, she touches my arm, and I move away without even thinking about it.
"What's wrong?" she pouts. "I'm just trying to celebrate with you."
"You're with Holden. Go celebrate with him."
"He's busy." She steps closer. "Besides, we have history, don't we?"
"We have nothing." I spot Holden across the room and gesture for him to come over. "Your girl needs attention."
He grins and pulls Bree away, unaware of her annoyance.
"Dude, you're cold," Pierce observes.
"I'm taken. She needs to get that through her head."
"Where is Sutton anyway?"
"Good question." I check my phone—no new messages. "I'm going to head out. Find my girl."
"No way!" Ashton blocks my path. "We're going to the diner. Team tradition after the first win."
"I really should find her. She should be here."
"Declan Hayes, don't make me pull captain rank on you. Team. Tradition."
I sigh. "Fine. But just for food. Then I'm out."
