Out on the Ice (Out in College 5)

He was quiet this morning. Of course, he did just wake up, I mused as I glanced toward the bedroom and listened for the sound of someone rustling around. Nothing. And he only took out one cup. But maybe his friend didn’t drink coffee. Hmm. Sociopath.

“You got home late. What’d you do last night?” Elliot asked, leaning against the island.

“The usual. No big deal.”

“Hmm. You look funny. Like you got some.” He waggled his eyebrows lasciviously.

“Nope.” I waited a beat and asked, “Did you?”

He chuckled when I mimicked his eyebrow gesture, then smiled and changed the subject. “We’re supposed to be at the beach before eleven. And don’t try to get out of it. You promised to play. Tucker is going down early ’cause he’s type-A about the net. He’s not wrong. Most of them need to be replaced or…”

That was it. Awkward conversation averted. He rambled on about the sorry condition of the volleyball nets at the beach like he was collecting information to report to the parks and rec department. Or like he thought I gave a crap when all I really wanted to know was if he fucked a guy in his room last night. And I wanted details. What was it like? How did it feel? Things I’d never ask but kinda sorta really wanted to know.

And yeah, he should know he could talk to me about guys too. I could have reassured him that it was cool by me. If I was feeling brave, I could tell him about me too. But I wasn’t brave. I was freaked out. So I kept quiet, sipped my coffee, and told myself not to rush. Maybe I really was just going through a phase. And maybe it would be over by Monday.

My friends talked me into going to Schultz’s party. I didn’t want to go. At all. First of all, Jason Schultz was a douche. Secondly, his idea of a “party” was more of a “gathering of his admirers.” And the guy loved the hockey rock-god attention. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind retelling my version of an awesome goal or a crazy mid-game brawl on the ice, but it made for lopsided conversations with me doing all the talking. And honestly, I didn’t like talking about myself that much.

I spent most of the night leaning against a wall in the kitchen, nursing a beer and planning my escape. I had my opening when someone bumped into the cute blonde who’d been glued to my side all night. I set my empty bottle on the crowded countertop and glanced over her shoulder at a pretty brunette with glasses. She stopped short and pointed at my chest.

“Oh, my—I know you. Colby from econ. How’d you do on the final?” she asked, flipping her long hair over her shoulder.

“Pretty good. You?”

“Aced it,” Miss Smartypants bragged, holding her hand up for a high five.

I touched my palm to hers, dodging a few partygoers making their way into the kitchen so I could hear her over the din of the music. The girl I’d been talking to disappeared in the melee, leaving me with the chatty brainiac. I nodded as she went on about grade point averages and grad school. I spotted Troy and Logan in the living room, surrounded by a posse of admirers. They loved the attention. I doubted they’d notice if I left, I mused, gauging the distance between the kitchen and the front door. I refocused on Miss Smartypants when I sensed a change in her cadence.

“—you know him, right?”

“Who?”

“Jason. Of course, you do. He’s on your team. Do you know if he’s single?” she asked, shooting a longing look toward Schultz, who was standing near the sliding glass door.

“I think so. I dunno. Why? Are you interested in him?”

“Maybe.” She bit her bottom lip and gave me a shy look that didn’t quite go with her usual uber-confident attitude.

“Do you want me to introduce you or something?”

“Yeah, but don’t be obvious.” She clutched at my arm and squealed. “Oh my God, he’s coming over. Pretend we’re hanging out and act cool.”

I furrowed my brow in confusion, then jolted when someone smacked my back hard from behind.

“Hey, Fish! How’s it going, man? Glad you could make it,” Schultz enthused.

“It’s a team party, why wouldn’t I come?”

Schultz shrugged. “I dunno. I thought maybe you were a little…you know, jealous.”

I shot an amused smile his way and shook my head. “Nope. I’m happy for you.” Asshole.

“Thanks. It’s been intense. I could barely walk after practice yesterday and…”

I zoned out while Schultz bragged about his first couple of days with the Kings. I was aware of Miss Smartypants next to me, hanging on his every word, and a few others in the vicinity tuning into hear about his initial brush with greatness. In the midst of planning round three of my great escape, I couldn’t help noticing Schultz sizing up Miss Smartypants. I knew that look. If he thought she was with me, he’d lay on a little extra charm just to prove he could have whatever and whoever he wanted. But he didn’t stop to introduce himself to her or give me a chance to do the honors. Which reminded me, I still didn’t know her name.