A group of upperclassmen on the team rented a house off-campus, which had become the de facto hockey house at Callahan. We literally called it the hockey house. The parties were banging because we didn’t have to worry about campus security. The surrounding houses were all college kids, so we didn’t have to worry about how hard we let it rip, either.
And after a win against the Mountaineers, I knew we were gonna go hard.
I pinched my nose and chugged the cup of death.
Asher brought the cup to his lips and grimaced. “Dude, when are we going to get used to beer that tastes like piss?” he asked.
I made my way to the keg, and Asher followed. “Never. You just gotta pound a few at the start and get drunk enough to not care about the taste.”
“That’s easier said than done,” he replied.
“Lachlan! You dirty fuckin’ prick! That was amazing tonight.” Davis sauntered over and clinked his plastic cup against Asher’s before taking the cup from him entirely and handing him a flask. “You showed your stuff tonight, Red. You don’t need to drink that garbage. Have some of this.”
Red?How did he know Asher’s nickname was Red?Icalled Asher Red. Everyone on the team called him Lachlan except for me.Red is my nickname for Asher!
Asher took the flask with a grateful look in his eyes. “Thanks, man. This beer is fucking disgusting.”
Davis laughed and wrapped his arm around Asher. “Yeah, I’m not much of a beer drinker either, bud.”
Bud?I looked at Asher, and his gaze was transfixed on Davis. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. Most of the starting line didn’t give us the time of day, so I had no doubt Asher was feeling really good about himself. And he should! He deserved it.
But…
I started getting this queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Asher played really well tonight. I doubt Coach would start a freshman, but he’d definitely give Asher more time on the ice. If that happened, would the top six start palling around with Asher?
What’s happening to me? Why am I freaking out about this?
Asher took a swig, his throat bobbing as he drank whatever expensive liquor Davis provided. “Shit, this is nice,” Asher said with a smoky voice. “What is this?”
“Ron Zacapa Centenario. It’s good shit, huh?”
I’d noticed two things during this exchange: the first being that the fucker didn’t offer me a sip of whatever the hell drink that was. The second was that his hand was still wrapped around Asher’s shoulder like they were best friends. That queasy feeling started to boil over and fill my body with blinding hot rage.
I’m Asher’s friend. Me. Quit acting like you’re his new bestie and get your fucking hands off him.
A couple of girls from Kappa Delta strutted to the keg. They each made eyes at us as they began refilling their cups.
“No, no, no. You ladies shouldn’t be drinking that shit. Here.” Davis handed the hottest one his flask with the flourish of a grand Duke or some shit. He was seriously on my last nerve.
Asher’s lips curled into a smile at the way Davis was acting around the girls. Did Asher like that? Was Davis impressive or something?
What the fuck is going on? Why am I losing it over this?
The prettiest one, a redhead with a smattering of cute freckles, looked at the flask warily. “We’re not stupid. Who knows what you put in there?”
Davis’s eyes bulged, and I fucking loved it. She tossed her beautiful hair over her shoulder and went back to filling her cup.
“I promise it’s not spiked. Watch.” Davis took a sip, keeping his eyes on the redhead the whole time. “See? Shit’s good, I’m telling you. It’s from Guatemala.” He said Guatemala with an accent that made me want to deck him. I’d bet every last dime I had that this dude couldn’t find Guatemala on a map.
Well, come to think of it, neither could I. But I wasn’t acting like some Guatemalan ambassador with my dumbass flask.
“Besides, I just gave some to my friend. I’d never do something like that to him. He’s my protégé.”
Friend? Protégé? I’m gonna snap!
The redhead cocked her head, eyeing the flask. “Well, this beer is gross…”
“It’s really good,” Asher added. “Might be my new fav.”
