Chapter 13
Gwen
“I really like that purple top. It fits you well, and the cleavage is a bonus,” Tess says over the phone, making me laugh.
“I might have to call HR on you,” I joke. “I’ll wear the purple one then. Thanks. I’ll see you at the party!”
As soon as we hang up, I change into the top she recommended and glance at myself in the mirror.
All week, I’ve been looking forward to this party. Now that it’s here, I’m starting to dread it.
This purple top usually makes me feel confident, but tonight all I can see is how it hugs my stomach and how exposed my arms feel.
My brain always does this when I’m about to do something that scares me. It doesn’t matter what I wear, my mind will find something to pick apart.
So I decide to trust Tess. If she says it looks good, then it does.
My eyeliner is holding up perfectly, and I’m adding a layer of lip gloss when my phone buzzes.
ZANE: We’re downstairs, but take your time. Didn’t want to rush you, so I didn’t ring the doorbell.
ME: Ready in 2!
I grab my purse, shove my phone inside, and hurry down the stairs.
Zane is waiting next to the car, and he looks incredible. A black button-up hugs his shoulders and arms like it was made for him.
“Hey,” he says with a smile as I approach. He leans in and kisses my cheek. “You look incredible.”
“So do you,” I reply softly. “Where’s your sister?” I add, glancing toward the car. The windows are tinted, and I can’t see inside.
“Here!” a voice calls from the other side as the door swings open.
Lisa steps out, and she’s gorgeous in that effortless, model kind of way. Long brown hair, bright smile, and confidence that fills the space around her.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” she says, walking straight toward me.
Before I can even offer my hand, she pulls me into a tight hug.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” I laugh.
“Are you excited for the party?” Zane asks, hopeful.
Before I can answer, Lisa lets out a dramatic sigh.
“I don’t think anyone’s excited about a bunch of jocks getting drunk,” she says. “Do we really have to go? We could just hit a bar instead.”
“It’ll be good to meet new people,” Zane tells her. “You need some friends in the city.”
“I already have friends. I have you, and now I have Gwen,” she replies, looping her arm through mine.
“Another friend of mine will be there too, if you want more than one female friend,” I add, and Lisa’s shoulders relax slightly.
“You seem nice. Is your friend as nice as you?” she asks skeptically, making me laugh.
“Tess is nicer than I’ll ever be,” I tell her, and I mean it.
“Those are big words. Zane has told me a lot about you, and you really are something,” Lisa says, making me blush.
“Right well, let’s go,” Zane cuts in, scratching the back of his neck.
Lisa and I slide into the backseat while Zane closes the door behind me and takes the front seat next to Josh.
“Was I supposed to bring something?” I suddenly ask as the thought hits me.
“Not your sanity, you’ll lose it with this crowd,” Lisa jokes.
“You’re fine, Gwen. No need to bring anything,” Zane says, reaching his hand back to rest briefly on my knee.
Just like that, my defenses melt.
“Is my face shiny?” Lisa suddenly asks, turning toward me.
“No?” I laugh.
“Pictures will be taken tonight, Gwen. We have to be prepared,” she says with a grin.
That hadn’t even crossed my mind. “Am I shiny?”
“You shine, but you’re not shiny,” Lisa says, and I almost don’t know what to do with how effortlessly kind she is.
The drive only takes about five minutes, but in that time, Lisa tells me Zane used to be obsessed with Power Rangers, Avril Lavigne, and the color teal. He sighs every time she mentions it, which only makes me laugh harder.
As soon as Zane opens the door for me, loud music spills out into the night. I recognize a Lana Del Rey remix; it actually sounds kind of good.
“Here goes nothing,” Lisa sighs as she steps out of the car.
“You’re here!” Tess yells from a distance as she quickly makes her way toward me and pulls me into a hug. “You look so good in purple,” she says.
“Tess, this is Lisa. Lisa, this is Tess,” I introduce them. Just like she did with me, Lisa pulls Tess into a tight hug.
“Prepare for me to cling to you two for the rest of the night,” Lisa jokes.
“It would be my honor,” I smile.
“Are you girls ready to go in?” Leo asks, and I realize I didn’t even notice him standing there.
“Nope,” Lisa says.
“Not at all,” Tess adds.
“Maybe?” I say, making the guys laugh. “Here we go.” I step forward and follow Zane inside.
People are everywhere, and the entire room is bathed in a dim red glow. Ice buckets filled with champagne sit around the space, along with actual bathtubs packed with ice and beer.
“Is this a Grizzlies party or a frat party?” I ask, looking around in disbelief.
“You thought there’d be a difference?” Lisa laughs.
“I don’t go to these parties much anymore,” Zane says, and I can tell he’s slightly defensive.
“Well, it looks like it’s going to be a fun night,” I quickly reassure him.
“Drinks?” Leo asks, and we all follow him over to the ice buckets.
Lisa pours herself a glass of champagne while the rest of us grab beers. We’re about to raise our glasses when Blake suddenly runs toward our group.
“Finally! Who’s down to party?” Blake yells, and we all fall silent for a moment.
“You?” Tess asks, breaking the silence.
“Damn right!” he replies before going around and hugging everyone.
“Do you even know him?” Tess chuckles, asking Lisa after Blake walks off again.
“It’s a long story,” Lisa says with a sigh. “He has the key to my brother’s apartment. I’m staying there, and he didn’t know I’d be there; that’s how we met. We did meet when we were younger, but we both forgot. Actually… that wasn’t that long of a story,” she shrugs.
Tess and Lisa drift into their own conversation when I suddenly feel an arm wrap around me. His touch is gentle, careful, but already familiar.
“Thanks for coming tonight,” Zane says as I instinctively lean into him.
“Thanks for inviting me,” I smile. He leans down and kisses my forehead, sending a rush of butterflies through me.
“I’ll make it up to you by making our next date a chill movie night at my place, ok?” Zane asks.
“You have nothing to make up for,” I reply. “But I’d love that.” I lean in and kiss him.
“Ooooh,” someone calls from a distance. “Miller has a girlfriend,” a guy jokes, followed by a few scattered laughs.
My mind tries to spiral, but I push the thought away.
“Oh, look, the Grizzlies’ water boy,” Lisa says to the guy, making Leo laugh. “I’m thirsty, Jake. Get me a drink.”
The guy walks off, visibly annoyed, while Leo heads over to Lisa and gives her a high five.
“Who was that?” I ask Zane, who still has his arm around me.
“He’s new on the team,” Zane replies with a sigh. “Trying to make a name for himself, but he’s got a lot to learn.”
I watch as the guy reaches a table, pours a glass of champagne, and brings it back to Lisa.
“Your sister is a weirdly powerful woman,” I say as I take in the scene.
“That seems like a fair observation,” Zane replies before kissing the top of my head. “I have to say hi to Coach and some of the players. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I’ll be here with the girls,” I tell him, and he smiles.
Zane walks across the room, and Leo joins him. I watch as Zane shakes hands with a bald man; he must be the coach. He carries himself like someone used to being listened to, someone who commands respect without trying.
“You are a goddess,” Tess laughs, watching Lisa sip her champagne.
“Men are easy,” Lisa shrugs.
“Speak for yourself,” I laugh, then quickly feel awkward remembering who I’m dating. “I mean past experiences. Not… you know.”
“Girl, don’t worry,” Lisa says, resting her hand on my shoulder. “Relax and let’s dance!”
Tess and I exchange a look of quiet panic. I’ve never danced at a party like this before, and judging by her expression, Tess hasn’t either.
“Ok, give me two seconds,” Lisa says, noticing our hesitation.
“I think I love her,” Tess mutters as Lisa walks away. The room is even more crowded now, but Lisa moves through the crowd effortlessly.
“Right? It’s her energy,” I say.
Across the room, I spot Leo and Zane talking with the man I assume is the coach. I scan the rest of the space when a knot suddenly forms in my stomach.
“Chen is here,” I say, narrowing my eyes as I spot him.
“Oh god,” Tess adds. “Leo’s going to flip when he sees him.”
“Sees who?” Lisa asks, reappearing beside us, three shot glasses in her fingers. “I got us some dancing juice,” she says excitedly, handing Tess and me each a shot.
“Dancing juice?” I laugh.
“Ok, fine, it’s vodka,” she admits with a chuckle. “Cheers to being dancing queens!”
She raises her glass, and Tess and I follow suit. We take the shots together, and the burn hits my throat immediately, making me cough as I reach for my beer.
“Gross,” Tess says loudly, prompting Lisa to laugh.
“Who’s going to make Leo flip?” Lisa asks, glancing again in Rex Chen’s direction.
“Rex Chen,” Tess explains. “I’ll put it simply, he’s a business rival of Leo’s who also tried to screw us over.”
Lisa nods, understanding.
“Do we need to do anything?” she asks, already sounding ready for action, which makes me laugh. “Wait, is that Julian? Julian!” she calls out suddenly.
Both Julian and Rex immediately turn to look in our direction.
Rex remains where he is, but Julian hesitantly makes his way over toward us.
“I haven’t seen you in forever! How are you?” Lisa asks, pulling him into a hug.
“I’ve been busy,” Julian replies shyly. “How are you? What are you doing in Chicago?”
“I moved back,” Lisa says, her excitement returning. “We should grab lunch sometime,” she suggests, and Julian nods. He glances around the room, and the moment he spots Leo walking toward us, his expression shifts.
“I have to go, sorry,” he says quickly, backing away and heading to the other side of the room. He leans in to whisper something to Rex, and the two of them leave shortly after.
“That was weird,” Lisa comments, watching them go. “Is Julian ok?” she asks Leo.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Leo replies calmly. “Rex is a bad influence. I hope he’s alright.”
“I thought you guys might want another round of drinks,” Jake interrupts.
Tess and I exchange shocked looks before turning back to him. Did Lisa really turn him into our personal waiter with one comment?
“You didn’t have to,” Lisa says with a smile as she takes the drinks and hands them out to each of us. “Now let’s go dancing, girls.”
Tess quickly kisses Leo, and then we both follow Lisa onto the dance floor.