Page 75 of Bar Down

“Well, if she has to move, then we move together. We spend the season wherever it makes more sense for her career and come back here for the summer. Look, my point is, if you love each other, you’ll make it work. There will be compromises and things to worry about, but you need to tackle those together.”

I nod and Robbie pats me on the shoulder. I think about asking more but he’s right. Ash and I need to communicate and figure things out for ourselves.

Alice comes back with concessions and shares her popcorn with us. The game picks back up and by the end of the period, Ash scores his third goal. The three of us jump out of our chairs, screaming and cheering, tossing our hats on the ice. Ash finds me in the crowd and points at me. I point back at him and turn around, showing him the jersey I’m wearing. The one that says Meyers #1.

The look he gives me is pure joy and during the second intermission I get a text from him.

when we get home, you’re going to wear nothing but that jersey and I’m going to give you the best blow job of your life

Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

oh, I can more than keep it. and when you recover, you’re going to fuck me wearing my last name.

“Damn, Ash has a filthy mouth,” Alice says, peeking over my phone.

I blush and put it in my pocket. “Don’t you know it’s not nice to spy on other people’s conversations,lapsi?”

She rolls her eyes and lightly punches my shoulder. “Whatever, you guys are adorable together. I’m really happy for you.”

“Thanks,” I say and smile.

The Manticores win4-1 and the whole arena is packed with people. As we head out, we wait for Ash and Olivia beforeheading out to dinner at The Arcadian. Robbie reserved a table for all of us and we put in our orders, but as soon as Ash puts his hand on my thigh under the table, all I want is to get us both out of here and into our bed.

Halfway through our dinner we see Tangela come in and take a seat at the bar. Robbie looks around, confused. “That’s weird, Michael isn’t here tonight. He said he was taking the girls to a movie.”

“Maybe she’s just grabbing some food,” Alice says, frowning.

“But would she drive twenty minutes this way just for some food?” Olivia asks.

“No, that’s weird,” Robbie says. “Maybe I should go talk to her and see?—”

He stops, halfway out of his seat and stares over at the bar, mouth open. We all turn to look at the same time and see Tangela hugging a guy. Not just any guy, but one we know too well. One that's been avoiding our calls and texts since he moved away.

Alice gasps out and looks away, busying herself on her phone. Robbie looks disappointed and Ash—well, Ash looks pissed. I’m shocked to see that Jordan is here and that he didn’t even tell us, but I can’t say I’m surprised. He’s been distancing himself from all of us ever since he got traded and moved to Texas.

Robbie sits back down, resting his elbows on the table and putting his head in his hands. Olivia comforts him and asks, “Do you want to go over and talk to them?”

He shakes his head no, but Ash says, “Fuck that, he owes us at least one fucking conversation.” The chair scrapes loudly on the floor, and before I can stop him, Ash is across the room tapping Jordan on the shoulder.

Ash

Jordan turnsaround and looks at me with wide eyes. I smile at Tangela as she looks between us and then notices the rest of the group behind me, but when my gaze returns to Jordan, it’s nothing but angry.

“Ash—”

“No, Jordan. What the actual fuck, man? You don’t call or text back for months, and now you’re back in town and you don’t even tell us? Why weren’t you at Thanksgiving?”

My raised voice draws the attention of some of the people nearby and even some servers stop to figure out what the commotion is. I smile apologetically and they move on. I swing back around to face Jordan but he’s not looking at me anymore. His eyes are locked on the table behind me, on a particular girl wearing a jersey with #20 on it—Jordan’s old number.

His eyes trace the number on her arm and he takes a step forward, almost involuntarily, like he can’t help but be away from her for another second. I block his path and cross my hands across my chest. “Don’t even think about it,” I murmur.

Jordan finally looks at me and he nods, stealing another glance at Alice. “I’m sorry, Ash. You’re right, I’ve been a really shitty friend.” He looks down at his feet and the misery on his face makes me pause.

Before I can ask him more questions, he says, “I’ve been dealing with a lot, honestly, and that shouldn’t be an excuse, but I really needed to focus on my mental health.”

“Oh, okay,” I say, deciding not to push him on the topic since he looks to be on the verge of running. “Look man, I know how that is, and I get it, truly. Just—we’re here for you, even though you ditched us for Texas.”

He laughs and pushes my shoulder lightly. “Yeah, like that was my choice.”

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