Page 10 of With Every Breath

Chapter 5

Bailey

It was the off season, the most boring part of the year, for me anyway. I’d made soccer my life for so long, that I didn’t cope well when it wasn’t around. I guess part of me always felt like the helpless kid, who was trapped in bed, having poison pumped into her. Other than the off season, that was the one part of my life where soccer wasn’t consuming me.

“You need to come out with me tonight. A lot of the team are going to be there, and I’m sick of watching you mope.” Madi leaned against my doorway, sucking on a candy cane. “It’s almost Christmas. You’re supposed to be excited.” She grinned as I rolled my eyes. She’s been trying to get me into the proverbial Christmas spirit for days. Secretly, I’m already there, but I’ve been having fun making her think I’m not.

“How does hanging out at a bar with a bunch of people mean getting into the Christmas spirit?” I turned so I was facing her.

“Aren’t you happy that finals are almost finished? Don’t you wanna think about spending break with Dex and me?” Her mouth dropped open as if she were appalled at the fact that I wasn’t jumping for joy at the moment.

“Why have you been on the Dex train so much lately?” It seemed that over the last three months she had developed a secret relationship with the guy.

“We’re friends, kinda like you’re supposed to be.” She shrugged. “He’s a nice guy. I don’t know why you won’t give him a chance.” She shook her head as she shoved the candy cane back in her mouth.

“You know why.” I sighed.

“You’ve been in remission for six years. Don’t you think it’s been long enough to let that rule go?”

“No.” I stood and crossed my arms. “I’ll come with you tonight if you promise me that you’re done bringing it up.” I tipped my head and stared.

“Fine. Done. Wear something festive.” She tossed her hair as she spun and bounced toward her room. I loved Madi like a sister, but she could annoy me like a sister, too. Dex and I were friends, and things were good. Why would I want to change that?

ooooooooo

“Why is it so important that I come out tonight?” I rushed to catch up as Madi practically ran down the sidewalk. We were surrounded by college bars, and students were milling around on the sidewalks. Occasionally, a door would open, and music would blare out onto the street.

“Because you’re going home next week to see your parents, and I’ve got to wait five whole days for you to come back.” She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

“Fine, little miss drama queen.” I laughed as we reached Lucy’s, a surfer themed bar. Lexi must have seen us coming down the sidewalk because just as I reached for the door, it burst open.

“‘Bout time you got here.” Lexi giggled before throwing her arms around me.

“Hey, Lex. Whatcha drinkin’?” I steadied her on her feet before she turned and practically pulled me inside.

“Heeeyyy! Super Star in the house!” Brad, the bartender yelled. He was dressed in a red t-shirt and a Santa hat.

I shook my head as I made my way to the bar. “Hi, Brad.” I laughed lightly. “What’s with the get up?”

“Christmas is next week. Haven’t you heard?” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the bar and rested his chin on his fists. “Want a Jingle Juice?” He wagged his brows.

“What’s in it?” I asked with skepticism.

“Just try it,” he groaned as he pushed back from the bar. I watched as he poured multiple bottles before setting a shot glass in front of me.

“It looks like a candy cane.” I held it up and stared. It was red on the bottom, then a layer of white, and topped off with something green.

“That is way better than any candy cane I’ve had.” Brad snickered.

“What are you waiting for?” a deep voice came from behind me. I knew right then who it belonged to. “Are you scared?” he taunted.

“You wish.” I turned and came face to face with Dex. I lifted the glass to my lips, and tossed it down the hatch. It burned like fire, and had a minty aftertaste. “Ugh. That was like a mixture of toothpaste and fireball.” I coughed.

“Maybe you’ve lost your touch,” Dex teased as he motioned for another. I watched as he tipped it back without even flinching. As he set his glass on the bar, he reached for a beer.

“Why does it always seem like you’re testing me?” I motioned to the premade frozen fruit punch drink the bar was famous for. If I was going to drink, I at least wanted to enjoy it.

“Because you seem to like it when I do,” he whispered in my ear before turning and blending into the crowd. I shivered when his breath hit my neck, and it frustrated me that he was right. I’d been putting distance between us for the last few weeks because of this. He’d been making me feel things that I didn’t want to feel, and now was not the time for my resolve to be weakening.

---