22. Selene
22
SELENE
T he bass from the speakers practically vibrates through the walls as I step into Knox’s place. Sounds of laughter and celebration come together, filling every corner of this place with high vibrations. It’s understandable because the Red Wolves just had an amazing win. I pause in the doorway, taking it all in, and I know it’s time to turn my confidence on.
All eyes are fixed on the television in the guys’ living room, which is now playing highlights from today’s game, even though no one can hear the commentary over the music. The place is packed and there’s a sea of red and white. Some of the faces I’m familiar with and there are several people I don’t know. I spot Levi and Hailey standing close together. His arm is draped around her and when she looks up, she gives me a small wave. That causes Levi to turn and give me a nod before he goes back to whatever he was whispering in Hailey’s ear. I think about walking over to say hi, but something in their body language tells me it can wait.
My gaze darts around, scanning the crowd for someone else I can talk to, and then I find a flash of blonde hair that I’d recognize anywhere. As soon as our eyes meet, Isla waves me over.
“Selene! You’re here!”
Isla wraps me in a tight hug, almost causing her to spill the drink she’s holding. “Congrats on the win,” I say.
“Don't congratulate me. It’s all the boys,” she says, but I can tell she’s basking in the afterglow of the victory just as much as any of the team. “Did you end up watching it? I know you said you might go watch the game with Hailey and Jade.”
“We did. The game was very interesting and more intense than I thought it would be. I’m sure it was even wilder with you being there, close to the action.”
“It was. I almost wish I didn’t have to take photos. Think you’ll come to a game?”
I think about the fact that Knox asked if I would only a day or so ago. “We’ll see,” I say with a noncommittal shrug. “I’m still learning the rules.”
Isla laughs. “You don’t need to know the rules to enjoy watching a bunch of hot guys skate around.”
She has a point. “True.”
“Speaking of hot guys that are not named Asher,” she says, leaning in closer. “Where’s Knox?”
“You haven’t seen him? I assumed that he was around here somewhere. In that same vein, where is Asher?”
“He went to the kitchen…” She moves so she’s about to look down the hall. “Ah. I’ve found both of our guys.”
I want to remind my best friend that he’s not my boyfriend, but I know it’s no use. Instead, I follow Isla’s gaze down the hallway. Sure enough, there’s Asher, towering over the crowd with his usual easygoing grin. Next to him is Knox, casually leaning against the counter with a beer in his hand. He says something that makes Asher laugh.
“Come on,” Isla says, nudging me lightly. “Let’s go join them.”
I hesitate for a moment, but Isla's already taking my hand and we’re walking. As we near the kitchen, the music isn’t as loud, allowing me to catch bits and pieces of what Asher is saying. Knox listens with a smirk.
“Asher!” Isla calls out, and he looks over, his eyes lighting up when he sees her. He reaches down to scoop her into a hug, lifting her off the ground briefly, causing the drink in her hand to slosh over the rim.
“Hey, sunshine,” he says, planting a kiss on her forehead.
Knox’s eyes meet mine, and for a split second, I see something like relief wash over his face. “Selene,” he says, pushing off the counter and walking toward me. “You made it.”
“Of course,” I say, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. He leans in and I think he’s going to kiss me, but he stops short, perhaps reading my uncertainty. Instead, he brushes a strand of hair from my face with a tenderness that catches me off guard.
“Do you want a drink?” he asks.
“Sure.”
He turns to open a cooler filled with ice and assorted bottles. I take the moment to observe him; there’s something different in the way he’s carrying himself tonight. More relaxed, maybe even happier. He hands me a bottle of hard cider and clinks his lightly against mine.
“To the Red Wolves,” he says, and we both take a sip. The cold fizziness of the cider is a welcome distraction from the knot of nerves in my stomach.
Asher and Isla are already deep in conversation about what might be something related to the game. Isla gets animated, waving her hands in the air as she makes her point. Asher just laughs and agrees, probably more interested in her than the actual topic.
“So, what did you think of the game? Really,” Knox asks, drawing my attention back to him.
I take another sip, stalling. “It was exciting. A lot more than I expected honestly. You played well.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You watched me?”
Busted. “I mean, we watched the whole game. It was hard not to notice.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “I’m glad you’re starting to get into it.”
Before I can respond, someone bumps into me, and I nearly drop my bottle. Knox steadies me with a hand on my waist, pulling me slightly closer. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
He doesn’t let go immediately, and I can feel the warmth of his hand seeping through my shirt. This friendship, or situationship, or whatever it is, feels so messy, but also not at the same time.
“Asher,” someone calls from behind us, and we all turn to see Wilder making his way over with a massive grin on his face. “Dude, you were on fire with that last assist!”
Asher beams. “Thanks, man. Team effort.”
Wilder gives Asher a high five and then turns to Isla. “Stole your man for a second, hope you don't mind.”
Isla rolls her eyes but smiles. “As if I could stop you.”
I look down at Knox’s hand that has made a home on my waist before drawing my attention back to him. “Is your hand comfortable?”
“Very much so,” he says as he pulls me closer.
I don’t resist when Knox pulls me into his chest. I glance around, half expecting to see someone I know gawking at us, but everyone’s too engrossed in their own conversations to care. And I don’t mind having this moment with him.
In fact, I’m enjoying it.
Knox keeps his arm around my waist as we mingle through the party. Every so often, he'll lean down to whisper something in my ear, his breath warm against my skin. It's usually some witty observation about one of his teammates or something he knows about someone. I find myself laughing more than I have in a while.
As the night wears on, the party starts to thin out. But no matter what, Knox stays by my side. At one point, Hailey catches my eye from across the room and gives me a knowing smile. I just shake my head at her.
Together, we move to a corner of the living room, and now that there aren’t many people here, it allows us to talk quietly.
“I'm really glad you came tonight,” he says, his eyes searching mine.
“Me too,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. I’m not one to turn down a party, but this was different. What’s happening between us is different. “I wasn't sure if I would, but...I'm having a good time.”
“Even with me monopolizing your attention?” It’s obvious that he’s teasing me, but it feels as if he’s actually making sure that I am okay with that.
“Especially because of that.”
A slow smile spreads across his face, and he steps closer, crowding into my space. “Good. Because I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.”
My breath catches in my throat. “Knox...”
“Selene,” he murmurs, bringing a hand up to cup my cheek. His thumb brushes over my bottom lip, and I shiver. “Tell me to stop and I will.”
But I don't want him to stop. I want him to keep going. I swallow hard and try to breathe deeply in hopes of calming my wildly beating heart. It doesn’t work. “Don't stop,” I whisper.
Thankfully, even with the music still playing in the background, I don’t need to repeat myself.
Knox's eyes darken with desire as he leans in closer, his lips hovering just inches from mine. “Are you sure?”
I nod because words escape me. And then his lips are on mine. I melt into the kiss, no longer caring who might see us. He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss, and I can taste the faint bitterness of beer on his tongue.
We stay like that for a long moment, until the need for air becomes too great. Knox pulls back slightly, resting his forehead against mine. “Wow,” he breathes.
“Yeah,” I agree. I feel a bit hazy, and it has nothing to do with the cider I had.
He grins, looking equally affected. “Do you want to get out of here? Maybe go upstairs?”
“The last time I was up there, things didn’t go so well.”
“This time will be different, I promise.”
And I believe every word.
“Okay,” I say softly with a small nod. “Let's go.”