Chapter 14
Zane
“You’re welcome,” I say as I hand the girl back a team jersey. I’ve never understood how fans get into parties like these. I’ve been here for maybe two hours, and I’ve already had to sign four shirts.
“Your girl is having fun,” Blake comments, looking out at the dance floor. Gwen is dancing with Tess and Lisa, all of them wearing huge smiles. Gwen subtly moves her hips, but it drives me wild.
“She sure is,” I say with a proud smile.
“I checked, and Rex is really gone. I keep thinking about Julian, I’m worried about him,” Leo says as he joins Blake and me.
“Should we invite him over for a drink or something? Try to talk to him? Maybe see what’s going on?” I suggest, and Leo agrees immediately.
“He seems avoidant of you two,” Blake points out, and he has a point. “What if I invite him, and you can have your little intervention at my place?”
“That should work,” Leo concludes. We turn and watch the dance floor again when a blonde and a brunette approach me.
“You’re cute,” the blonde says, and from the way she speaks, I can tell she’s had too much to drink.
“Thanks,” I reply, stepping slightly away from them.
“Holt is my brother,” the brunette adds. “He said pretty much every guy on the team is available… Well, that’s not exactly what he said, but that’s how I took it,” she says as she walks over to Blake and places her hand on his chest.
He covers her hand with his and gently removes it from his body.
“Why don’t you two get some water or something?” he suggests.
“Want to come with us?” the blonde asks, but Blake shakes his head. In my mind, he’s the kind of guy who would’ve said yes instantly. He keeps surprising me.
“Is it true you’re with the fat girl?” the brunette asks. Her words are slurred, but I can make out enough to feel the anger rise immediately.
“That’s it,” Leo says, stepping in. “Leave. Now.” His tone is firm enough to startle the blonde, who takes a few steps back, but the brunette doesn’t move.
“I’ve always wanted to be with a hockey player,” she says, and this time she places her hand on my chest.
Just then, Gwen, Tess, and Lisa return from the dance floor. Gwen notices her right away, her eyes widening in shock, hurt, and confusion.
Lisa is in mid-conversation with Tess, but as soon as she catches Tess’s shocked expression directed at me, she turns her attention my way.
“Excuse me?” Lisa says loudly, stepping toward the girl and pushing her back. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Wait, you’re the girlfriend? They said she was fat. You’re not that fat,” the brunette says in a confused tone.
All I can do is look at Gwen. The way her eyes grow watery, the way she holds her breath, the way she just freezes in place, it hits me hard.
I want to step forward and defend her, but before I can move, Lisa pushes the girl back again.
“Get away from my brother, now,” she says in a tone I’ve never heard from her before. It’s sharp, commanding, almost intimidating.
A small crowd begins to form around us, but I can’t focus on any of it. My attention stays locked on Gwen.
“Leave,” Tess adds as she steps beside Leo, who instinctively puts his arm around her.
The brunette glances around the group and then spots Gwen. When she does, she starts laughing.
“This is her? You know you can do better, right?” she asks.
Before any of us can react, Lisa raises her hand and slaps the girl across the face.
“Bitch!” the blonde friend yells, lunging at Lisa. As she does, Gwen steps in and shoves her away, instantly defending my sister. Gwen had been frozen moments ago, unable to defend herself, but now she’s standing up for Lisa.
The crowd around us grows larger, phones rising into the air as people begin recording. As we take in our surroundings, it becomes clear that everyone sees the same thing. Without another word, we start moving toward the exit.
I get closer to Gwen and wrap my arm around her as we push through the crowd. Her body is trembling, so I hold her tighter, offering whatever comfort I can.
“Well, that sure was a party,” Tess says softly once we step outside into the dark. “Besides the ending, I actually had a really good time,” she adds with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“I got Tess and me a cab. Shall we all grab dinner or something next week?” Leo suggests, and we all agree.
“Hey, man, I figured you might want to take your girl home and talk for a bit. I’ll drop Lisa off on my way back, ok?” Blake says suddenly.
It’s another wave of surprise, but a good one this time. Everything tonight has been unexpected.
“Thanks, man,” I say, pulling him into a brief hug.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Gwen says as she walks over to Lisa.
“Thank me? Are you kidding me? We’re friends, silly,” Lisa replies brightly. “Let’s grab coffee tomorrow or sometime next week. I’ll give you my number.”
She speaks with her usual enthusiasm as Gwen smiles and hands her her phone.
“Are you going to be ok, sis?” I ask as I hug her goodnight. She nods into my shoulder.
“Please make sure Gwen understands those idiot girls don’t know what they’re talking about,” she whispers, softly enough that only I can hear.
“I will,” I reply before we pull away.
Blake and Lisa get into a cab. As they drive away, Josh arrives.
“Let me take you home,” I say with a smile. Gwen doesn’t say anything; she just nods and gets into the car.
Before I get in, I tell Josh we’re heading to Gwen’s apartment again. He reads the situation well and doesn’t say much, no small talk as I slide in beside Gwen.
“Are you doing ok?” I ask. Gwen is staring out the window into the night.
“I’m fine,” she says with a smile, though the quiver in her voice makes me think otherwise.
“Come here,” I say, holding out my arm until she scoots closer and leans into me. “Thanks for defending my sister,” I add before kissing the top of her head.
“I doubt she’ll ever need anyone defending her, but that was my pleasure,” Gwen chuckles lightly. “She’s special.”
“So are you,” I whisper, holding her even tighter, almost instinctively.
We’ll be at Gwen’s apartment building in less than five minutes, and I’m not ready to leave her yet, not after tonight.
“How about one more drink?” I ask hopefully. Gwen looks at me with a soft smile.
“It’s ok. I’m fine,” she says gently.
“I don’t want to have a drink with you because I think you’re not ok,” I reply. “I want to have a drink with you because I barely got to spend time with you tonight. I don’t want the night to end.”
That seems to do it. Gwen takes a deep breath and opens the door. I usually do that for her, so I pause, unsure for a moment, then watch as she steps out and peeks back into the car.
“Aren’t you coming?” she asks playfully, and I immediately get out as well. I tell Josh I’m not sure what time I’ll leave and that I’ll grab a regular cab later tonight.
As we walk through Gwen’s apartment building, the place is quiet. Just the sound of our shoes echoing against the concrete floor in a steady rhythm.
Gwen inserts her key into the lock, but before she opens the door, she turns around.
“I wasn’t expecting company. The place might be a little messy,” she says nervously, which makes me laugh.
“I don’t mind messy,” I respond.
She smiles faintly, then opens the door and lets me in.
“So your idea of messy is having books everywhere,” I joke as I look around the apartment. Books are everywhere.
“These are the books I’ve read recently. The rest are in my bedroom. I usually put them away when I have company,” she says, sounding almost shy.
On the coffee table, I notice the stack of books from our date and smile.
“Can I get you a beer?” Gwen asks as she walks toward the kitchen.
“Yes, please,” I reply, then sit down and settle into the couch.
“I’m sorry tonight went the way it did,” Gwen says as she hands me a beer.
“I’m sorry too. Those girls were drunk idiots,” I tell her. I notice she doesn’t quite believe me, but she nods anyway.
“Do you think Lisa is ok?” Gwen asks, and I smile.
“She’s fine. She’s probably on the couch watching one of her shows with a bag of chips right now,” I reassure her.
“I’ll text her in the morning,” Gwen says softly. She stares at the wall while holding her beer, as though lost in thought.
“You know I think you’re beautiful, right?” I ask her, and she looks my way, her eyes watery again. “Don’t let them get to you,” I add, gently touching her cheek.
“I’ll be ok.” Gwen’s voice sounds hoarse, as though she’s holding back emotion. “It was confrontational, that’s all, I guess,” she shrugs.
“Well, I want to be honest with you and say I think you’re beautiful,” I tell her, angling myself toward her. “You have beautiful hands,” I add, taking her hand and briefly holding it. “Beautiful cheeks… and a warm smile.”
Gwen leans in and kisses me back, with clear intent, her movements steady and natural. One hand rests behind my neck while the other settles on my shoulder.
I pause briefly, staying close, then return to her lips in a soft, unhurried kiss. The moment remains quiet and close, her breath catching slightly as she responds.
Without saying a word, Gwen shifts closer and settles beside me, maintaining the moment between us. She keeps her hands near my shoulders as she leans in again, and we remain close, the atmosphere quiet and steady.