28. Sean
CHAPTER 28
SEAN
A shley and I talked on the way back to Fairbanks, but it didn’t go as I expected. I didn’t think she’d let Kenzie get to her. I thought... hell. I don’t know what I thought. Clearly, we weren’t on the same page. She said she needed time to process everything, and I haven’t seen or heard from her in two weeks.
This time, fate doesn’t put her in my path, and my bruised ego keeps me from seeking her out. I dive headfirst into hockey and school, and in my free time, I hang out with my teammates. But late at night, when there are no more distractions, Ashley takes over my thoughts. I miss her company, her laughter, and it makes me mad that I can’t extricate her from my mind.
Tonight is Halloween, and it’s the first big party I’m planning to attend after the fiasco at Ken fucking Kudo’s. I’m looking forward to going. Of course, part of my excitement is the possibility that Ashley might be there. I don’t want to admit how much of a sap she’s turned me into.
The student government association is hosting the party this year, which means the crowd will be a mix of everyone. Jesse Hartnett, our captain, had a convo with all of us after practice about not behaving like idiots and getting into fights with the football team like last year. I wasn’t there, but all the rookies know by now about the rivalry between the hockey and football teams.
No one is going to the party with the intention of fighting, but those football players are assholes. Promises can’t be made.
My phone buzzes with a text from Logan. He, Alex, and Darren, the rookie goalie, are waiting for me outside. Darren lives in the same building as me, but I was running late when he came over, so he went with the twins to the store to buy snacks.
Logan and Alex are dressed as Chip and Dale, which suits them perfectly. Logan is wearing a leather jacket and a fedora, and Alex is wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Darren has a neon mask, which is pushed back now, and an all-black ensemble.
I feel stupid about my costume when the trio smirks at me.
“Austin Powers?” Alex raises an eyebrow.
“What? He’s a fucking legend.”
“International Man of Mystery.” Darren laughs.
“Are you gonna go around the party saying, ‘Do I make you horny?’” Logan piles on.
“Laugh all you want. I bet I can score before you do.”
The twins trade a glance, making me regret my outburst. I didn’t mean to issue a dare.
“Do you want to put money on it?” Alex asks.
I know they’re on a budget, so I say, “I don’t care about money. Whoever loses the bet has to wear their costume to our next practice.”
“Oh, this will be good,” Darren pipes up.
“Are you participating?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Hell no. I can’t compete with the twins or you. I know my limitations.”
“Let’s be clear on the rules. If either Logan or I hook up first, you lose.”
“That’s a terrible deal. You’ve got twice as many chances of winning as Sean does,” Darren butts in.
“It’s okay. I’ll let them have the advantage.”
I don’t know why I agreed to this dumb bet when I’m sure I’ll lose. The twins are chick magnets. And truth be told, I don’t want to hook up with anyone who isn’t Ashley.
“You got a deal, Davenport,” Logan replies, rubbing his hands together. “I can’t wait to see the coach’s face when you show up for practice wearing that .”
I groan in my head. He’s gonna have a cow.
I ’m hanging out by one of the bars, trying to have a conversation with a girl dressed as Poison Ivy, when someone bumps my arm, and half my drink spills all over my clothes.
“Oops, sorry, dude,” a jackass from the football team snickers.
“Nice costume,” his friend adds.
Pissed, I open my mouth to tell him to go to hell, but someone beats me to the punch.
“I think he looks very hot.” Ashley appears out of nowhere, dressed as Tinker Bell.
I forget the morons in an instant as my focus diverts to her. I’ve been looking for her since I got here. It’s been over an hour, and I was beginning to think she wasn’t coming. But fuck me. Why did she have to dress like a wet dream? Her hair is platinum blonde now, almost white, and it’s much shorter too, chin length. It suits her. I want to disappear into a dark corner with her and show her how much I missed her.
“No, you look hot.” One of the assholes ogles her like a creep, snapping my restraint.
I set the rest of my beer on the bar counter, and get between him and Ashley, into his space. “You’d better make yourself scarce before I add a real bruise to your lame zombie makeup.”
“Make me,” he retorts.
Wrong answer, motherfucker.
I shove him back, making him collide with his friends. He staggers, almost falling on his ass. “You’re gonna pay for this.”
“Oh... I’m terrified,” I taunt, not caring that it’s three against one.
Suddenly, Logan, Alex, and Darren join us, and the football scum loses his bravado.
“Is there a problem here?” Alex asks.
“Come on, Billy. Let’s go.” One of them drags major-asshole away from us.
“What a waste of space,” Darren pipes up.
“Were you planning to take on the three of them alone?” Logan asks.
Ignoring his question, I look for Ashley. She’s gone. Hell and damn. When she stood up for me just now, she gave me hope we would pick up where we left off. Now I’m back in relationship limbo.
“Are you looking for your friend?” Poison Ivy girl asks.
“What friend?” Logan asks.
I finish my drink and walk away. I need to find Ashley. Where the hell did she go?