29. Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Trey
Alex hands me a drink as I scan the crowd for Mandy, periodically checking my phone.
“Thanks,” I say, taking a long sip. “So, how long are you staying?”
Alex shrugs, taking a sip of his cocktail. It’s bright pink and in one of those fancy glasses that comes with more fruit than any drink should ever come with, but that’s Alex Brewer for you.
He doesn’t give a shit about what anyone thinks about him, and sometimes I wish I could be like that. Life would be a lot easier, for sure.
“I fucking hate these things,” Alex grumbles.
“Why? You don’t have to do anything except look pretty, sign autographs, and take pictures.”
Alex narrows his eyes at me.
“Yeah, and I have to bat off needy reps trying to sell me shit, too, you know.”
I roll my eyes.
“I have never once asked you to sign a deal.”
Alex glares at me. “I know.”
“Do you want me to offer you an endorsement contract?” I ask, feeling strangely put off by his tone.
“Not now I don’t,” he snarks at me, and I let out a heavy sigh. Typical Alex.
“What’s your deal tonight?” Alex asks, his gaze landing on a few players in the corner taking photos and being loud and obnoxious.
Was I that bad when I was in my early twenties?
I think back to our trip here in Vegas, but a lot of it is blurred out at this point. Though I can’t help but think about the parts I do remember…
Drinking with Huds. Taking care of him. Sharing a bed.
I vaguely remember wanting to kiss him then, but we were drunk and I just thought it was because of that, but now…
Now I can’t help but wonder if it wasn’t because of something else.
I glance at Alex, the words lodged in my throat.
“What do you mean?”
“You look like someone pissed in your fucking corn flakes, Kelly. Not exactly the vibe I expect from you.”
“I just… got a lot on my mind,” I say. It’s not untrue. I do have a lot on my mind.
Austen and Cameron’s wedding is only a few days away. I don’t know how it felt like we had all this time, and now…
Now it’s here, and while I’m happy for my friends, I can’t lie and say I’m not anxious as hell about essentially coming out to everyone.
I know it’s something that needs to happen because I want people to know that I’m happy, that we’re happy…
together, but there’s also a part of me that worries I’m making a huge mistake.
Like putting it out there will somehow ruin things, even though I know that’s crazy.
We’ve been together for seven months. I bought a house to be close to Hudson.
I told him I love him. He hasn’t said it back.
In fact, he’s acted like everything’s just…
normal. I’ve said it a few times now, and I’m trying not to obsess over it, but it’s hard.
I don’t want to push him, and I’m not unhappy with where we are, but…
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more.
I’ve always wanted more, I think. Since the first time he kissed me during that storm, when we got stranded.
Maybe even before that. Maybe I just didn’t realize it.
But there’s also the fact I had a virtual interview with Power Play for an administrative role in their marketing department this morning, and I haven’t told anyone I was applying for it.
It’d be a pay cut, because I wouldn’t get commission anymore, but it’s still a decent salary.
But the biggest perk? It’s remote and it’s the same hours Hudson works.
Which means if I land this gig… I could move to Minnesota permanently , and be with Hudson all the time. Which is what I want.
But I’m not sure Hudson wants the same things, which is why we need to talk about us, not just in the official “we’re dating” sense, but in the “where are we going?” sense.
He doesn’t seem to worry much, and just goes with the flow.
I’m glad that works for him, but it doesn’t work for me.
I need that information. I need to know what the plans are for the future.
I don’t know if I want to get married like Austen and Cameron, but I do know I want more than a few days here and there with Hudson every couple months.
And part of me thinks if Alex can do it—if he can quit hockey, something he loved…
then I could do it, too. Quit my job and be with the man I love.
And I do love Hudson.
I just wish he loved me.
It feels like everything is changing, and though it’s good change, it’s still terrifying.
What if I am making a mistake? How do I know I’m doing the right thing?
“There you are!” Mandy’s familiar voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to face her without hesitation.
“Oh my God, Mandy!” I reach out to hug her, pulling her close with a sense of relief. “You’re okay…”
Mandy squeezes me back, her jasmine-vanilla scent invading my lungs. Her breasts squish against my chest.
“Of course, I’m okay,” she says with a giggle, and I can smell the alcohol on her breath.
“You weren’t answering my texts,” I say as I hold her out in front of me, looking her over. She’s dressed in a slinky satin black dress, her blonde hair perfectly curled, her long, thick lashes standing out against her vibrant eyes.
She looks like a damn vintage Hollywood lounge singer or something.
“Because I was busy.” She smirks, glancing over at Alex.
Alex whistles, and it is not missed. Neither is the way he looks her up and down.
“Ah… you must be the fiancée,” Alex says, his voice tinged with mischief.
Time stops, and I open my mouth to speak, but Mandy beats me to it, extending her hand.
The one with her fake engagement ring that she always wears when she does events like this.
“I am! Mandy Carvalli.”
Alex takes her hand and shakes.
“So nice to finally meet you. I bet you’re excited for the wedding.” He raises his eyebrows as he takes another drink.
“Wedding?” she asks, looking at me. “What—” Her eyes widen and all the color’s drained from her face as she looks at something behind me. “Shit, Reid is here,” she whispers.
“Reid?” I look around, trying to follow her sight.
“Stone!” Alex hollers, causing the guy and his teammates—Alex’s former teammates—to look right at us, and I don’t miss the way Reid Stone flashes his gaze at Mandy for the briefest second.
“Stone?” I ask, noting the Rioter walking toward us.
Reid Stone, also known as Vance Harding’s replacement, has been on fire this year. I swear the kid is on track for the big leagues if he keeps up this streak.
“Why are you hiding from Reid Stone?” I ask in a hushed voice, just as Reid and his teammates come up to the lounge we’re in.
“Kelly, you know Stone?” Alex asks as a waitress comes over to clear the loitered table.
My mind flashes back to years ago. A sliver of a memory pushes through of Alex dancing on a table just like this…
And Mack trying to get him to step down.
“I’ve seen him play, yes.” I offer my hand to the guy and he takes it. “In my opinion, you’re way better than that Harding asshole.”
Alex stiffens but Stone smiles with bright eyes.
“Thanks, man. That means a lot.”
“Stone, Trey Kelly. He works for Nutri-Now.”
“Nutri- Go ,” Mandy says with a grin.
Alex laughs. “That’s what I said.”
“And this is Mandy—” I say.
“Carvalli,” Stone says. “I know.”
Mandy grasps my side, pulling me close. It’s not something she hasn’t done before, especially in these situations. She’s hot and these guys can be pigs.
I feel her panic and wrap an arm around her reassuringly. She leans into my space and relaxes a fraction.
“We should blow this popsicle stand,” Alex says, draining the last of his drink as I do the same. “Show Stone and Mandy what Vegas really holds,” he says with a laugh, nudging me. “Right, Kelly?”
“Uh…” I clear my throat, looking at Reid and his teammates who are looking at Alex like they just hit the lottery.
“Come on…” Alex pouts. “It’ll be just like old times.”
“Old times?” Mandy raises an eyebrow.
“Oh yeah. Trey and I go way back. Didn’t he tell you?”
“No,” Mandy says, narrowing her gaze. “He didn’t mention you two used to hang out.”
Alex glares at me.
“First you don’t offer me a deal, and then you hide our friendship?” He dramatically clutches his chest. “That hurts, Kelly. Hurts like a fucking bitch.”
Before I can say anything, Reid speaks.
“Got somewhere in mind, Brewer?”
Alex grins. “Fuck yeah, I do.”
Mandy clings to my side, and I feel her tension. Something’s different about her, but I’m not sure what.
She seems… off.
Alex wraps his arms around both of us. He whispers in my ear, “You owe me two drinks for that, asshole.” And then he speaks so everyone can hear him. “You guys ready for the fucking night of your life?”
Alex hasn’t moved from his VIP couch, which he’d secured when he guided himself directly to the podium and demanded a VIP, and of course, they just gave it to him because he’s Alex Brewer.
Sometimes I wish I had his charisma, his confidence. Swear Alex doesn’t get nervous or anxious about anything. Ever.
Reid hands Mandy her cosmopolitan, and I must be too drunk because it looks like he takes a little too long to give it to her, his fingers brushing hers.
Mandy blushes and takes the drink, then sucks it down in two gulps before grabbing my hand.
“Come on,” she says. “I want to dance.”
It’s the way she says it, like she’d rather be anywhere else than here.
Which is unlike her…
Mandy loves a good party. We’ve always had that in common, but tonight she seems different. Guarded, I guess. More than usual.
She’s had every chance to schmooze the guys tonight, but it’s like she’s taken the night off, even though we both know she didn’t.
I shoot back my beer as I let her pull me out on the dance floor. She wraps her arms around my neck and I settle my hands on her hips as the music blares.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine,” she says, pulling herself closer to me.
“You have been avoiding Reid Stone all night,” I bite. “Why?”
“Trey…” She sighs.
“Mandy, if he hurt you or something, I swear—”
“What?” she squeals. “Oh no, Trey, you’ve got it wrong.”