Chapter 36
Jack
After spending almost a week straight with Alondra in Texas, I was desperate to go back to Minnesota. I loved seeing her in all my favorite places, always being able to touch her or kiss her whenever I wanted.
Now since getting back, I’ve become a bit of a grouch as we try to line up our schedules with my hockey schedule, and I’m going through withdrawals. It’s different from spending nearly every waking minute with her.
A part of me was surprised by how easy it was to spend that much time together, because even spending long amounts of time with Dylan requires breaks, but I never needed that with Al.
It feels like since we got back to Wilder, we’re only alone for a few moments before someone needs something from either of us.
Al was helping me look over an assignment the other night, and I was about to lean over and kiss her when her phone rang with a call from Macy because Chad broke up with her again.
I know her best friend comes before me, but it’s pathetic how jealous I am of Macy right now.
By the time Al came back that night, I was already dead asleep when she crawled into my bed, and I had to get up before her the next morning for hockey.
We were studying the other day and I was just about to lean over and kiss her when Sara came in, claiming that she needed help on a paper for one of her classes.
Tonight, I’m at Twin City with Seth and Dylan, sipping my water as they drink their beers. Coop had a headache, and Nate had to meet with a group from one of his classes for a project, or he’d be here too.
Seth is complaining about how they lost their bowl game, and I feel bad for him because he’s a damn good quarterback.
I’m only half listening to the conversation, though, distracted by checking my phone to see if Al is going to come over tonight.
Dylan kicks me under the table. “Just because you keep staring at your phone doesn’t mean she’s going to text back.”
Seth snorts, and I flip him off, turning my phone over to prove a point that I don’t care that much, but I do. “I was waiting to hear from your mom what time she wants me to come over,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm, causing Dylan to frown.
“Dude, does she know how miserable you are without her?” he asks, and I roll my eyes, trying not to look at my phone again.
“Are you talking about the cowgirl? You’re still with her?” Seth asks, grinning.
“She has a name, and no. We’re just friends,” I say, tapping my fingers against my glass.
“Right, you’re totally just friends.” Dylan snorts, takes a swig of his drink. “Jack gets a little protective of her,” he warns Seth, giving him a quick side glance.
“I think I remember him jumping down my throat when I met her. If it’s the same girl anyway. It’s Al, right?” Seth asks, and Dylan nods in confirmation as I glance at my phone lying face down, my hands itching to check it to see if she messaged back. “What’s it short for? Allie?”
I can’t help chuckling because it was my initial guess too. “Alondra.”
Fuck, I love saying her name. I’m about done calling her Al, because even thinking about the way she looks at me when I say her real name is enough to make me hard.
Seth blinks, doing a double take. “Wait, are you sure that’s her name?”
“Um, yeah. We’ve been friends with her for over four months now, I think we know her name,” Dylan says, answering so I don’t have to.
He shakes his head, scratching the back of his neck. “There’s this guy on O-line dating a girl named Alondra. Just odd you both are talking to a girl with the same name.”
I suck in a sharp breath, but it’s not like I didn’t already know Bradley was telling people they’re still together. “Same girl, but they’ve been broken up for about a year.”
Seth doesn’t look any less confused. “Wait, are you serious? Honestly, it makes sense they’re not together since no one has seen her around.
Good for her for breaking up with him, though.
The way he talks about her is disgusting.
” He grimaces, taking a sip of his beer, and I try to keep my anger in check.
At least I know Johnny isn’t friends with him anymore. He came to me a couple days after the day at the rink and apologized for bringing him there. Said he’d never seen Bradley like that, and he didn’t want to be friends with someone who could talk about women that way.
Dylan casts a quick glance at me. “We’ve got a pretty good idea.”
I’m positive Coop told him what happened because I refused to repeat it. Part of me wishes I’d hit him, but the other part of me is glad Coop held me back. I don’t know if I would have been able to stop once I started.
“He’s a fucking asshole,” I say, taking a drink of water to try washing away the bitter taste lingering in my mouth.
“Can’t say I’m a fan of the guy, but he’s sure saved my ass from getting flattened a few times,” Seth says, picking at the peeling label on his bottle.
“What I don’t get is why tell people they’re still together?
No one cares if you get dumped, but it’s fucking weird to still claim her a year later. ”
I bite my tongue, not trusting myself to say anything without giving away what he would do to Al. I know how hard it is for her to talk to people about it, and I don’t think she’d appreciate me telling Seth anything.
I look at my phone again as Dylan answers, “Who knows.”
“Who do you guys play next?” Seth asks as the music playing in the background changes.
“We fly to Boston Friday morning, and get back Saturday night,” I say, glad for a change in conversation.
“I hate away games. I mean traveling is fun and all, but it gets exhausting when it’s every other week,” Dylan says, and I roll my eyes.
“Flying is better than the bus,” I remind him. I still wish it were a home game, though. Just means more time away from Al.
Goddamn, when did I start measuring time on whether it meant I got to see Al or not?
“Fair.”
I’m a little worried about sitting next to Coach on the plane. He hasn’t been acting differently toward me since Al’s trip to Texas, but we also haven’t had to sit next to each other for three hours yet. Still, I wouldn’t trade the time with her for anything.
I finally cave, checking my phone again, but there’s no notifications.
“Schultz, are you sure you guys are just friends, because you’re definitely acting like you’re in a relationship,” Seth muses, and Dylan laughs.
“No, they’re just friends because Jack is still too much of a pussy to admit he has feelings and wants a relationship with her.”
I scowl at him because he doesn’t get it.
I’m trying. I’m trying so fucking hard to get there with her, but I freeze up every time I think about putting that label on us.
Relationships mean falling in love, and love leads to heartbreak.
I don’t want to hurt Alondra. It’s the last thing I would ever want to do.
I’m trying to protect Al because I’m terrified of what I feel for her. She deserves someone who knows how to love her, but the idea of Alondra being with anyone else causes my stomach to twist in knots.
What can I offer her, though? All I know is the destruction from loving someone.
Momma was a ghost walking through life for months after Dad went to prison. She tried her best, and I was never neglected, but she was destroyed.
Al has been through the same hell, and I want her to only know happiness.
I’m trying to get there, but I can’t promise her anything, especially when I don’t even know if that’s what she wants from me? For all I know, Al doesn’t want to be anything more than my fuck buddy, even if it hasn’t felt like that ever.
“Fuck off, Dylan,” I snap, tugging a hand through my hair. I’m being a dick, but Dylan’s pushing too hard about this. My phone vibrates on the table, and I feel a rush of relief at the sight of her name. Thank god.
Alondra
can I sleep over?
Jack
always
Alondra
See you soon (;
I slip into my coat, ignoring the look Dylan gives me, while Seth is too busy eyeing a girl at the bar. “See y’all later,” I say, getting up from the table.
“Tell Al I said hi,” Seth says, shooting me a quick wink.
“Yeah, I’m not wasting my time with her talking about you,” I say, waving at a couple people on my way out who call my name, trying to get my attention.
I’ve just pulled into the driveway when Al parks on the side of the road, and my smile is wide as I watch her climb out, her furry hood covering her face. She’s cursing about the cold when I walk to meet her, too impatient to wait for her to get to me first.
“Shit, were you not home?” she asks, a slight frown marring her full lips I’m desperate to kiss.
“I was at the bar with Dylan and Seth,” I answer, pressing a short kiss to her lips, trying to turn her frown upside down.
“You didn’t have to leave. I could have hung out with Coop or Nate.”
Now I’m the one frowning. “Seriously?”
Al giggles, tipping her head up at me. “Am I not allowed to hang out with your roommates?”
Honestly, I’m glad they’re friends, but it doesn’t mean I want to share her with them. I open the front door and hang my coat up on the rack Coop insisted we get, kicking my shoes off without putting them on the rack. Coop will have a coronary, but he’ll get over it.
Al hangs hers next to mine, and then before she can spout any more shit about hanging out with them instead of me, I pull her toward the stairs.
“Jack,” she says, laughing as she keeps up with me. “You can slow down.”
“I’ve hardly seen you all week, and I want all the time I can get with you,” I say, looking back at her, only to find her staring at my ass.
Alondra grins at me, shrugging her shoulders as she climbs the stairs. “What? You think you’re the only one who gets to stare?”
“I’m glad you know what a great ass I have,” I say, unashamed when I start taking the stairs two at a time as Al laughs again behind me.
“At least you know it,” she says, following me into my room, and I shut the door, locking it in case we have any unexpected visitors.