It felt like she’d been here every weekend since we’d started school. Not like he can go there with hockey.
But his unbothered state doesn’t last.
After practice, Wolfe is restless, like I’ve never seen him before. He’s like a big bowl of vibrating jello and won’t sit down.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know where Steph is.” He doesn’t look at me or stop his pacing.
I glance at my phone. “Studying?”
It’s not that late.
“She’s usually called me by now.”
“She probably just lost track of time working on her project.” I don’t know why I’m defending her.
“I have a bad feeling.”
I frown. He’s not usually doom and gloom, actually, he’s usually happy all the time. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know.” He wrings his hands. “Can I borrow your car?”
My head snaps up. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Why not? It’s only like four hours.”
“We have that team bonding initiation tomorrow. The captain said we can’t miss it…” In theory, I don’t have an issue with it, but this sounds like a horrid idea.
“It’s not until tomorrow night. I’ll be back before it. I’ll get there before ten and leave after lunch.” Wolfe pleads with his eyes, and I can’t say no to him.
He’s my fucking weakness, and I’d do anything to make him happy.
“Okay.”
I went outwith the team. I couldn’t spend the night thinking about Wolfe and my sister. Seaborn and Solace were there. Most of us are too young to drink, but it didn’t seem to be a problem in the city, given enough money. No one cards us out with the team.
After a few drinks, I’m contemplating my whole existence. I’m not in the closet. That would be impossible, but I’d always toned myself down, or did gay the “Southern way,” which basically means to keep it out of polite society’s view. Being gay isn’t that way here. No one seemed to care. There are guys making out in a booth not too far from us.
I can’t help but stare.
I need a distraction, and it’s time to get over Wolfe. And it’s not like I’m inexperienced or anything. I’ve had lots of secret boyfriends.
It doesn’t take me long to find a guy willing, and not only that, but this guy is willing to make out with me in the open, right in the bar. It’s exhilarating.
He’s all over me, and I’m not mad. Maybe I can erase all my feelings from high school and accept that Wolfe and I are just meant to be friends.
The guy shoves his hands under my shirt, face pressed into my neck, while he kisses and sucks on my skin.
My phone rings. I awkwardly shift the guy pressing against me, trying to get a hand in my pocket to ignore the call, when I realize I silenced my phone.
The only person who gets through my ‘do not disturb’ is Wolfe.
I pull my phone out and whisper, “Hold on.”
“You’re really going to answer a call while we’re making out?” the guy asks, aghast.
“For my best friend, I sure as fuck am.” I answer and put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
