"That tastes like paint thinner."
"It does."
"So take the beer." He pushes it toward me. "I'm Connor. You're Sutton Webb, right? Hockey player?"
I take the beer because my cup really is almost empty and because he's right, it does taste like paint thinner. "That's me."
"I've seen you play. You're good." He leans against the wall, casual and confident. "Are you here celebrating with everyone else?"
"Something like that."
"You don't sound very celebratory."
I take a drink of the beer. It's cold and significantly better than whatever was in that cup. "Long week."
"I get that." He's checking me out. Flirting. That’s good. That’s what I need.
“I was just going to find some air,” I say.
“It’s like five degrees outside.”
True.
He smiles. “I think what you mean to say is you’re trying to get away from your ex.”
I groan.
He laughs. “It’s cool. Come on. There’s a pool room. Warm.”
I let him lead me down the hall.
The pool room is quieter. Two guys are playing pool at one table. Another older table is on the other side of the room. A couple is making out in the corner. A couple of other guys are watching the pool game. The music is not nearly as loud back here.
I can hear myself think, which might not be a good thing.
Connor nods at the guys playing pool. They nod back.
"Friends of yours?" I ask.
"Teammates. I'm on the lacrosse team." He grabs two pool cues from the rack on the wall and hands me one. "You play?"
"Not well."
"Perfect. I hate losing to girls. It ruins my fragile ego."
I almost smile. "Your ego seems pretty intact to me."
"It's all an illusion." He starts racking the balls. "I'm secretly very sensitive."
"Sure you are."
He grins at me. It’s easy. I don’t get creepy vibes. This is good. This helps. I don’t have to stand there and watch Declan flirt and be fondled.
I take another drink of the beer. The alcohol is working, making everything softer. I can still feel Declan's presence, but it's duller now. Manageable.
Connor finishes setting up and gestures to the table. "You break."
I lean over the table, lining up my shot. I'm aware of Connor watching me. I'm aware that my jeans are tight and my top is low-cut. I'm using this moment exactly the way that girl in the living room was using hers with Declan.
