29. Laur
Chapter twenty-nine
Laur
L ucas’ backyard buzzes with music, chatter, and plenty of people when I walk through the gate. Two kegs sit on the patio with people I don’t recognize surrounding them. Groups of people stand on almost every inch of the grass.
“Do you see any of the new girls?” I ask Libby, thankful we came together because I don’t see any of our friends or anyone from the PR team either. Everyone seems to be a stranger.
“No,” Libby confirms, standing on her tippy-toes trying to peer around the backyard. “But let’s go to the kegs. I’m sure there’s someone we know around there.”
“You made sure to tell the newbies not to come alone right?” Anxiety takes root in my stomach thinking about the new girls walking into this party full of people they don’t know.
Libby huffs dramatically. “They’re adults. I’m sure they wouldn’t come alone anyways.” She starts walking towards the patio and drinks. “Especially since they don’t know anyone but each other,” she mutters under her breath.
The sass Libby gives off radiates heat. I swear she used to be more chill and down to earth.
“I see Blaine!” Libby yells, grabbing my hand and weaving through the crowd waiting by the keg.
“Blaine,” Libby squeals like a schoolgirl, throwing her arms around Blaine’s neck. “Congratulations! I’m so proud of you, boo.”
Libby takes Blaine’s face in her hands, and plants a quick, mischievous kiss on his lips. He noticeably winces.
Before Blaine says anything, she rushes off. “We aren’t waiting in this shit,” she calls back to me, “going to grab a beer inside for us.”
Blaine’s eyes fill with wonder and confusion, seemingly stupefied by Libby’s kiss as he watches her abruptly run off. Now, I can see a harsh cut running across his bottom lip. What the hell happened ?
“What the hell was that?” Blaine mumbles, his stunned gaze meeting mine.
“Your guess is better than mine,” I respond, truly unsure what Libby’s intentions are with Blaine.
“But you live with her,” Blaine mutters into his solo cup before taking a drink. “You know her better than me.”
With a sigh, I explain, “Trying to understand Libby’s romantic life is like trying to understand . . .” I pause trying to find the words.
“A maze with no exit? The Matrix movies? Why people like football more than hockey?” Blaine ponders.
“All of the above,” I giggle. “But I was going to say rocket science.”
“Ah well, I’m going to be a rocket scientist if hockey doesn’t work out,” Blaine says with a cheeky grin. “So women are much more confusing to me than rocket science.”
A gleam of intrigue lights my widening gaze. “Oh,” I stammer, at a loss of words, “I didn’t know.”
“That’s because I’m kidding,” he chuckles. “Last I saw Lucas, he was over there.” He points to the left.
My face turns red, embarrassed at how gullible I was, but I mumble my thanks. Wanting to ask about his lip, I finally remember this party is for him.
“Congrats, by the way,” I stumble over my words, dumbfounded that it took me this long to say it. “You deserve it.”
Blaine nods in thanks.
“I mean it." I bite my lip knowing I’m about to say too much. “Lucas knew at the beach it would be you and Keith. You earned it, Blaine.”
Patting him on the shoulder, I whisper softly, “Just don’t tell him I told you that. ”
“Thank you.” Blaine raises his glass to me in a salute.
As soon as I muster the courage to ask Blaine about his split lip, Libby reappears out of nowhere.
“I found Tyler.” She hands me a beer bottle. “C’mon.”
“See you later then,” Blaine mumbles under his breath, walking in the opposite direction Libby pulls me to.
Tyler and Keith stand under the biggest tree in the yard with some other players and plenty of girls, two of whom I recognize as new girls on my team, Emery and Lena.
Greeting them warmly, they thank us for inviting them and including them.
“This party is awesome,” Emery says. Her eyes dazzle with amazement.
“The guys are all so nice,” Lena chimes in.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spy a wicked grin forming across Tyler’s face.
“Great, I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves,” I respond with a smile.
“Lulu just got here.” Lena nudges Emery. “Let’s go find her.” Both girls go off to find the other new freshmen. A gentle warmth blossoms in my chest seeing how they quickly became friends.
My eyes meet Tyler’s. The smug smile still on his face turns my friendly gaze to a sharp glare.
“What?” Tyler throws his hands up, trying to feign innocence.
“I didn’t say anything,” I retort, sipping my beer.
“Your look said it all,” Tyler claims and moves to stand next to me.
“Stay away from my new girls, Tyler.” I jokingly threaten him with a poke.
“But they’re hot and think I’m nice,” Tyler groans.
“Do I have to stay away too?” A voice from behind me asks. Ryder meanders over, a cocky grin tugs at his lips.
“If I have to, you have to,” Tyler declares, furrowing his brow at Ryder .
“Just don’t cause any issues,” I scowl at them, “or you’re on my shit list.”
“Why is it okay for Ryder to talk to them?” Tyler retorts his voice loud
“You can talk to them all you want,” I shrug, “Just don’t—”I pause thinking of the right phrase to use without being crass“—pursue them.”
Tyler folds his arms, offended by my orders not to make any moves on my girls.
Laughing, I explain that Ryder is at least a freshman and so are they.
“Not fair,” Tyler claims, arms still folded. “Wipe that arrogant smile off your face Ryder before I do it for you.” Tyler’s voice goes cold.
“Hey, man, I can’t help how old I am.” Ryder nonchalantly laughs. “Don’t give me a fat lip like you did Blaine.”
So that’s where Blaine’s split lip came from: Tyler. My blood pulses as anger fumes within me. Tyler has gotten into more fights this summer than I’ve ever seen him get into.
“There you are,” a soothing voice sings sweetly. “I've been looking for you."
Lucas turns me toward him. I turn back to unleash my frustration at Tyler, but he darts off the second he sees the opportunity.
“Urgh,” I let out in frustration.
Lucas’ brows crease with confusion. “Not happy to see me?”
“Of course I am.” I wrap my arms tightly around him in greeting. ”I just wanted to yell at Tyler for being a douchebag.”
Lucas’ laugh tickles my ear. “Just in general or . . .?”
“Why didn’t you tell me he got in a fight?” I demand in a sharp tone, breaking out embrace.
Lucas runs his hand through his luscious hair before answering, “This is the first time I’m talking to you since this morning, Laur.”
He’s right. I’m being absurd. “Sorry,” I mutter. “I’m just heated.”
“If it makes you feel any better, Coach benched him for the first three games of the season,” Lucas informs me .
“Am I a bad person if that does make me feel better?” I look down at the ground, feeling uneasy that I would wish something bad on my friend, but he needs to learn a lesson before he goes too far.
“Not at all.” Lucas pulls me into another hug, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead. “It sucks for the team, but he deserves it.”
“How’s the party?” I change the subject. "Seems like a pretty big turnout.”
Lucas sheepishly puts his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “I don’t know half of these people. But yeah, everyone seems to be having fun.”
“You’re not having fun?” I ask, raising my eyes at him.
“I’m having even more fun now that you’re here.” A slow smile spreads across his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Tell me about your day.”
A big exhale pours out of me. “It’s been long.” I take a sip of my almost empty beer. “But we have a great new event planned for this year.”
My heart races with excitement, I haven’t told Lucas anything about our new PR plans this year.
“Already?”
“Yeah.” I beam up at him. “It’ll be an auction, but instead of just the players, it’ll be a player with his curated picnic basket.” My words spill out of me, eager to share more. “It’ll be a new way to do player auctions without feeling like we are just auctioning off boys. Raven—”
“Raven?” Lucas interrupts with an edge to his voice.
“A new girl on my team.”
“What’s her last name?” he asks. His mouth is a fine line, and his jaw grows tight.
Why is he asking so many questions about her?