6. Rescues and Ussies
CHAPTER 6
RESCUES AND USSIES
BAY
T he last few hours are a blur.
After my Advanced Organic Chem class, I found a text from Jagger.
He doesn’t want me to meet him in the locker room later. He dumped me.
Ok technically we weren’t together, so he didn’t dump me. But he basically said he would “see me around” and it was better to talk via text because he’s busy.
I know that isn’t a lie, Jagger is busy between a demanding IT major and the hockey team. But his crazy schedule wasn’t a deterrent when we hooked up more than once a couple of weeks ago.
I went to the locker room anyway with the intention of talking to him. He’s been avoiding me since he came to my room with Ryker after the pool incident.
Up until that point, things were fine between us. More than fine, actually.
But I’d be lying if I said that his text message surprised me after he’s been avoiding me all week.
I’ve been telling myself that Coach must have ramped up their practices; the theory corroborated by the fact that Cole has been just as scarce as of late.
How busy they are doesn’t matter though. There’s definitely more to it than just because he's busy. Even if he got bored with me, he said we would stay friends when our deal ended. He’s basically saying he doesn’t want to speak to me and I need to know if I did something wrong.
I don’t think it’s what happened with him and Ryker in my room. Jagger practically encouraged his teammate to go down on me. He seemed to get off on seeing us together.
If he wants to end things, I want to know why. If I did something wrong, I deserve the opportunity to at least apologize.
I don’t even make it inside the locker room, when the real reason why he didn’t want to meet me smacks me right in the face.
Jagger was lying about why he didn’t want me to come here. It wasn’t because he thought the team’s winning streak had nothing to do with his pregame lucky bj. He simply didn’t want that bj from me.
I freeze. “Jagger.” Is the only thing I can say.
My brain is short circuiting, all my energy is devoted to an impossible task.
I’m not going to cry.
Jagger knew that Bianca slept with Topher in my own fucking bed, with no regard for the fact that we’re sisters and I’m her sorority president.
I don’t have any beef with Candace and she certainly doesn’t owe me anything, but she’s still one of my sisters. If Jagger really was my friend as he said he was, he wouldn’t have picked two of my sisters to hook up with today. Not when he just dumped me by text.
He doesn’t owe you anything, Bay. You were just hooking up, he wasn’t your boyfriend.
I know that’s true. I know my reaction is unwarranted. And yet I can’t help but feel betrayed.
By the end with Topher, I knew he wasn’t the nice guy I thought he was.
Jagger seemed different. Nice, caring. So, so hot.
For some reason this hurts a million times more than Topher’s betrayal.
His amber colored eyes widen when he sees me. His lips are moving and I know I’m nodding but I don’t really know what he just said.
Something about me being lost.
I hear my own voice replying to him. “Yeah, I don’t know what I’m doing here. Clearly .”
Only it doesn’t even sound like me. My tone is robotic, my pitch tinny as if I was speaking through one of those old fashioned rotary phones. My nana used to have one when Lake and I were little.
I follow him as he walks us out. Us. As in me, Candace and Bianca.
When I came here last time and I gave him a blowjob, after we had sex and I had to walk back into the arena to go find my seat, it didn’t feel like a walk of shame.
This though?
Shame is all I can feel because of how much power I gave him to hurt me when I was still grieving my breakup with Topher.
I trusted you. I thought we were friends.
The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t say them.
He doesn’t deserve my pain. I certainly don’t want to give Bianca the satisfaction of seeing me hurt.
All I want to do is to go home and break down. To cry all my tears.
My home burned down though, I have nowhere to go. The Gamma house is just a temporary place. It never felt like home, not even when Topher and I were dating.
Everyone will go back to the house after the game for the usual party, so I wouldn’t be alone anyway. The music and the laughter would keep me up all night and disturb my wallowing.
With such slim options, I go to the game and take my seat on the other side of the boards right behind the Knights’ bench.
I think they lose.
I’m not even sure because I don’t pay attention.
My body is here, but I’m not. I even jump a few times in unison with the other Cove Knights’ fans.
In reality I’m just an empty shell, kept together by the determination that I’m not going to cry.
To be honest, I don’t even think I could cry right now even if I wanted to. In my effort to not let Jagger see how upset I was, I think I pushed the tears too far down for them to find their way back out.
Good.
Numb is better than the alternative.
The problem with my state of numbness is that I don’t know how long it’s going to last.
It takes me as far as the post game party at the Gamma house. I don’t even know how I made it here. Driving in shock should be as illegal as drinking and driving or texting and driving, but it got me here unscathed at least tonight.
The house is already crowded and I have to give it to the people I go to school with. Winning or losing, the party must go on.
Someone greets me and I nod in response, but don’t stop to make small talk.
I don’t care if the noise from the party is going to make it impossible to sleep. My mood is as far from celebratory as humanly possible and right now I can’t handle being around other people.
I make my way toward the stairs as quickly as I can, weaving through the crowd of dancers.
The last thing I want is to bump into Topher or, God forbid, Jagger.
My feet carry me toward the safety of the stairs as I look around to make sure the coast is clear.
So far so good… well, almost.
This isn’t my lucky night, that much is obvious.
I had almost made it to the base of the stairs when I catch movement in my peripheral vision.
Someone is waving at me.
The numbness that has been protecting me until now decides to leave me in the exact moment my eyes land on Candace.
She waves a second time, beaming at me with Jagger’s arm wrapped around her shoulder.
It’s not her fault. It’s not her fault. I keep repeating that to myself like a mantra, because it’s true.
No one knew about my deal with Jagger. Even when Ryker inadvertently outed us before pushing me into the pool, I doubt many people heard him over the noise of the party. The only people who might have heard him were Cole, Topher and a handful of others who were within earshot.
So I can’t blame Candace for hooking up with him. Hooking up with the hockey team is what she’s been doing since she was a freshman. Candace is a puck bunny, but she’s one of the good ones. She would never hook up with any player who’s in a relationship.
I still can’t bring myself to wave back at her, even though the only one to blame in this situation is Jagger.
Our eyes meet for just an instant and we both look away.
His gaze burns like the sun, or maybe it’s the tears that decide to make their appearance at the worst possible time.
I’m frozen, rooted to the ground, dying to look at him again despite the knot of despair in the pit of my stomach.
At the end of the day, this isn’t even his fault. Jagger was clear that things between us would just be casual. He could have been a little more considerate in the way he ended our agreement, but he didn’t break any promises. I’m the only one to blame if I let myself catch feelings for him when I knew it could end exactly like this.
What I want to do is to be able to look at him with my head held high, without showing him how heartbroken I feel about being cast aside so quickly.
I force myself to lift my gaze again in the absurd hope that looking at Jagger will hurt less than a second ago.
Spoiler alert, it doesn’t.
My eyes sting as tears well up, pushing to come out with the violence of a tsunami.
Don’t let him see you cry, Bay. Don’t you fucking dare.
I inhale a shuddering breath in the futile attempt to steel myself enough to climb the stairs without losing my shit in front of my former friend with benefits.
“Hey, here you are. I’ve been looking for you.” A warm, big hand envelopes mine.
When I dare lift my gaze, I find two ice blue eyes staring at me.
“Hi, Ryker.” I manage to utter through the burning sensation in my throat.
His gaze drifts to the side toward Jagger and Candace, but it lasts for a split second before Ryker’s mesmerizing eyes are back on me. “It’s been a rough night on the ice,” he murmurs. “And I’m not in the mood to party. What do you say we get out of here and grab something to eat?”
I might have been foolish enough to fall for Jagger when I knew I would end up getting hurt; and Ryker and I haven’t started in the best of terms, but I’m not going refuse a lifeline when one lands in my lap in the time of need.
I nod and follow Ryker out of the Gamma house.
RYKER
Bay looked on the brink of tears.
I had two options, the way I see it.
Either kick Jagger’s ass for being an idiot and hurting Bay by ending their arrangement by text message, or get Bay out of the lamest party of the year.
It took just one look at Bay to make up my mind. Picking a fight with Jagger would make a worse scene than my argument with Bay at the last Gamma party.
Besides, Bay looks beyond pretty in a mossy green top and a black mini skirt that shows off her perfect legs.
Only an idiot would be so careless to make her cry.
“Do you want to get off campus?” I ask with her small hand encased in mine, as we walk out of the frat house and into the mild Northern California night.
She nods. “Please.” Her answer is just one notch above a whisper, her voice scratchy from trying to keep her tears in check.
I walk Bay to my car, parked a few feet down the street from the Gamma house.
I’m usually not the dating type, but between my mom and two older sisters, I’ve been taught to open doors and move chairs when I’m in the presence of a lady.
It sounds awfully old fashioned, but I guess decent manners are never out of place.
The radio comes on the second I enter my code in the ignition and I drive through campus letting the music fill the silence in the car.
It isn’t an uncomfortable silence, so I relax my hands on the steering wheel when I notice some of the tension easing out of Bay’s shoulders.
“Uhm, what are you in the mood for?” I ask as I stop at a red light right outside of campus. “I haven’t been in town that long and I must admit, I haven’t been eating out much other than the cafeteria in the athletic department and the wings at the bar on campus.”
Bay relaxes a little more, her voice now more steady. “You haven’t lived if you haven’t tried Joe’s fried pickles. They’re legendary and Joe also has the best burgers in town.”
I nod, letting my eyes skim from her face down the length of her body for a few moments, just before the light turns green. “Burgers and fried pickles sounds perfect. I’ll need some directions though, because I’m?—”
“New in town?” the corner of her lips quirks up in the beginning of a smile.
She’s teasing me, but I prefer that to the dejected expression she wore a few minutes ago.
Bay gives me simple directions to the town historic peer. “Half of the shops and restaurants on the pier close after Labor Day and don’t reopen until Memorial Day and in some cases, the Fourth of July. But the pier stays open all year round and Joe’s is an institution in Star Cove even with the locals.” She explains.
“I’m surprised some shops close,” I say, following the lights of the pier as they appear in front of us. “Connecticut gets really cold in the winter, but California is a lot warmer. The temperature here isn’t too different than South Carolina and Hemlock Beach, where I went to college for the first three years, stays open almost year round.”
She shrugs. “Star Cove is still a small town, even though it has seen some growth in recent years. Shell Cove, the next town over, is much bigger and almost nothing closes down in the winter, just like you mentioned.”
The parking lot right outside the pier isn’t very crowded, especially considering it’s a Saturday night.
Maybe it’s because the locals know that things wind down after the summer is over, or because the student population is well aware that on nights when the Cove Knights play at home, all the places on campus have half-price food and drinks.
“Wait,” I say, as Bay pulls on the handle to open the passenger door. “Let me.”
I run around the car and offer her my hand to help her out of my SUV.
“Thanks,” she looks amused and maybe a little surprised by my chivalry, but she doesn’t pull her hand out of mine when I start walking toward the pier entrance.
The situation between me and Bay is odd.
We don’t know each other that well, and yet, I know the way she sounds when she comes. I know how sweet she tastes and just the memory of her naked body as she was sandwiched between me and Jagger makes me rock hard.
I ignore the way my pulse is quickening, my heart slamming against my rib cage harder than if I was skating on a breakaway.
The boardwalk is mostly quiet with just the occasional family peering at the few shops open that don’t sell food.
We walk in front of an arcade and I’m tempted to go inside, but I change my mind when I realize that it’s actually the only relatively crowded place on the pier.
Call me selfish, but every time I’ve had the chance to talk or hang out with Bay, I’ve had to share her attention with others. We had no privacy on the plane when we first met, the Gamma house is always buzzing with people and activity. Even when we hooked up, Jagger was part of the deal.
Tonight I have her to myself for the first time, and call me crazy but maybe I was meant to wait for my shot with her.
My nana says that things happen for a reason whether we can see that reason or not. I usually laugh at her old wives’ tales and at her serendipitous philosophy, but deep down I believe in destiny just as much as she does.
The delicious smell of food attracts my attention to a saloon style restaurant. The neon sign above the door says “Joe’s.”
“Here we are,” Bay says stopping. “You haven’t had fried pickles until you have Joe’s. And their bacon cheeseburgers are to die for.”
“Hi, welcome to Joe’s.” A hostess that’s probably a couple of years younger than us smiles at us. “Is it a table for two, or are you joining another party?”
I return her smile. “Just the two of us tonight, thank you…”
“Talia,” her smile widens. “Follow me, Ryker.”
I hesitate, looking at the hostess and trying to figure out if we’ve met before. It’s unlikely since I’m new in town and I haven’t had the chance to explore much outside of campus; my apartment is literally a couple of blocks south of the arena, so I haven’t really met anyone in town.
Could she be a neighbor? I don’t think so, besides she knows my name and I would remember if I had spoken to her enough to introduce myself.
“Sorry, do we know each other?” I ask.
“You don’t know me, but I know you,” she giggles. “Or at least I know of you. Star Cove College is my family’s alma mater and we’re huge hockey fans. I’m a senior at Star Cove High but I’m going to your school next year. My brother is graduating this year and he was so excited to be your teammate rather than having to defend his goal from your slapshots.”
I take a better look at her. “You’re Prescott’s little sister?” I smile, noticing some family resemblance. “Now that you mention it, you two have the same smile.” Talia also has Tucker’s same blue eyes and dark hair.
“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes. “My brother is a wild thing, we’re nothing alike. I’m sure he wasn’t smiling tonight. He let six pucks get past him, he’s got to be devastated.”
I don’t tell her that he was planning on getting consoled by a couple of puck bunnies at the party. “Yeah, we had a rough time on the ice tonight.”
Talia sighs. “It’s really important to Tucker to live up to Cash Hanbury’s legacy. He’s always so stressed about people comparing him to Cash and finding him lacking.”
I nod in agreement. “Yeah, Tucker has really big shoes to fill, but he has nothing to worry about. He’s going to be one hell of a goalie if he decides to go pro.”
We get to a booth by a window that offers a lovely view of the boardwalk with the big Ferris wheel visible at the end of the pier.
“Take a minute to look at the menu and a server will be right with you. I’m going to add an order of fried pickles on the house.”
I smile at her. “Thanks Talia, that’s very kind of you.”
She swats her hand with a giggle. “Don’t mention it. It doesn’t happen every day to have a future hockey superstar in here, with the president of Zeta Theta Beta.”
Bay, who’s been quietly watching my interaction with Talia looks surprised. “You know who I am?”
Talia bounces with excitement, quite literally. “Are you kidding? First off, I’m totally rushing Zeta Theta Beta next year. It’s just a shame that you’ll have graduated and I won’t get to hang out with you. I’ve been following your makeup and skincare tutorials since I was a high school freshman. All my friends follow you too and we can’t wait for you to open Woods Cosmetics, your makeup lines are going to be the best.”
Bay smiles for the second time since we left campus. While I wish I was the one who made her smile this time too, I’m glad Talia is distracting her from the Gamma house drama.
“I’ll tell you what,” Bay takes her phone out of her purse. “Let’s friend each other on social media, so we can stay in touch. I’ll recommend that you get invited to rush Zeta Theta Beta next year.”
Tucker’s sister covers her mouth with both hands, overwhelmed with excitement. “Oh my God, seriously? That would be so cool, I’ll be forever grateful.”
“Absolutely. Zeta Theta Beta will be lucky to have someone who loves our sorority.” Bay beams.
After the girls exchange friend requests, Talia goes quiet, her eyes suddenly fixed on her shoes. “You’ve been so kind, Bay. I wonder if I could ask you to do something for me? You don’t have to but it would make my day if you’d take an ussie with me.”
There are about four years difference between us and Talia, but it might as well be forty. I swear kids these days speak a different language. “Ussie?” I ask.
Bay puts me out of my misery. “It’s a selfie but with two people. Ussie, like in us as opposed to the self in the selfie.”
I shake my head, laughing as the girls proceed to take a couple of snaps together. “Maybe Jagger is right that I’m like an old man.”
Talia is immediately curious. “Jagger Connelly? He was my favorite Cove Knight before you moved to Star Cove. Why does he call you an old man?”
I offer her my cockiest smile. “Oh, he thinks he’s hip and cool. He always laughs at me for drinking black coffee instead of his beverages full of sugar and whipped cream.”
Tucker’s sister giggles. “I’m a big fan of those drinks too, but Jagger is wrong about you. You’re out on a date with Bay Woods, it doesn’t get any cooler than that.”
Bay opens her mouth, probably to say that this isn’t a date but I cut her off. “I should ask you to repeat that and record it, so Jagger will shut up next time we order coffee. Besides, I agree. My taste is impeccable when it comes to dates.”
Talia nods. “I bet my brother is green with envy that you’re on a date with Bay. He’s always had a huge crush.”
I can’t help the smirk that curls my lips. “You don’t say.”
“Yeah,” she confirms, addressing Bay. “He kept saying how unfair it was that you were dating his frat president. When he cheated on you, he said that Topher was an idiot.”
Bay’s smile fades. “Yeah, well. Hockey players are players most of the time. Be careful next year, Talia. Make sure you don’t waste years on a cheater like I did.”
The mood at our booth is somber when Talia finally leaves to go get us a server.