Page 16 of Rookie Season
“Thanks, Ally,” Fisher says with a beaming smile, puffing his chest out with mock bravado. Or possibly real bravado; it’s hard to know with this guy. “Glad you were here to witness our greatness.”
“Was just the first win of many for us this season.” Penn nudges me, his blue eyes sparkling. “You ready to party it up in 3B to celebrate?”
“Hmm?” I ask.
“Party at our place,” Noah cuts in, his voice sarcastic. “Gonna be a real blast.”
Oh.
As much as I try to still my mind, it immediately starts spinning. The anxiety starts in a breathless rush in my chest, then moves in a wave through my body. Memories I want to forget attempt to make their way to the forefront of my brain...
Penn snorts and gestures at Noah. “Dude, you scored your first NHL goal tonight, and you’re acting like someone taped your hockey stick the wrong way. Parties are meant to be fun, you know. They’re not a punishment.”
“We haven’t even broken the new place in yet,” Fisher adds in a whine. “It’s like a housewarming party mixed with a celebration party mixed with a welcome to our new roomie party.”
“Exactly,” says Penn happily. “So, you’re in, Ally?”
My head continues pounding, and I can physically feel the color drain out of my face.
“Oh, no, I’m…uh—” I stutter out.
Understanding suddenly dawns in Fisher’s eyes. “Shit, Ally. I for—” He glances at his friends, then coughs. “I mean,uh, I forgot to check if you were okay with us having a party.”
His concern is clearly meant kindly, but it just serves to make me feel even more pathetic. Weak.
“Didn’t seem to mind not checking with me,” Noah grouches.
“We can call it off,” Fisher decides.
“What? Why?” Penn cries indignantly.
We’re out in the players’ parking lot by now, standing by Fisher’s vehicle—a souped-up G-wagon that I imagine draws a lot of attention, but then again, Fisher seems like the type of guy who loves being in the spotlight. As he unlocks it, I take a deep breath.
I’m not going to let my issues get in the way of my roommates living their lives.
“No need to call it off,” I say, my voice firm as I level my eyes on Fisher across the hood of the vehicle, hoping he will take my words at face value. “I’m totally cool with you guys having a party. Seriously. I was going to hit up the building’s gym tonight, anyway.”
Thankfully, Fisher studies me for a moment, then nods. Smiles. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” I smile back, glad to have smoothed the moment over, but as Penn babbles obliviously about how I should definitely come, and a girl named Lauren whom hehopeswill come, I can’t help but notice the curious look Noah shoots Fisher as he slides into the back seat next to me.
He doesn’t look at me at all.
Meanwhile, I look down at my hands, steeling my spine against the shiver currently creeping down it.
My roommates are good guys.
It’s just a party. A party I won’t even be at.
Everything’s fine.
CHAPTER 8
ALLEGRA
Our apartment buildingturns out to have a beautiful, state of the art fitness center, so after I change into workout gear and say goodnight to the guys, I end up spending a long time there. Loud music blasts through my headphones as I crank a treadmill up to a punishing sprint and run until every muscle in my body burns and sweat pours down my face.
After so many years dancing competitively, of training and practicing for multiple hours a day, my body already feels sluggish and out of sorts after a few days of not moving it like I’m used to.
