Page 6 of Your Biggest Downfall
I glanced over at him, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world who truly got it. He was looking straight ahead, his expression thoughtful, almost melancholic.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.
The words felt heavy, loaded with shared understanding
He turned to look at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Then, slowly, a small, knowing smile curved his lips.
“So what do you say? Come to a party?”
I shrugged.
Aside from him ghosting me, I’d stopped going out when my mom got sick this year. I became a homebody, never drank, partied, or even had sex.
No one knew the latter about me, not even Luna. She thought I had lost my V card to my high school boyfriend. I think everyone else assumed I’d done it because of the way I looked and dressed. I was tatted up, fearless, and loved adventure. But I’d never found anyone I clicked with. I wanted it to happen organically, without searching for it too much. I wanted the other person to want it as much as I did.
“I didn’t think I was invited... after what happened,” I said, pointing to where my Honda was parked.
He blinked a few times, processing my words. “Of course you are.”
“Even after last year?” We hadn’t talked about what happened, and I didn’t want to be the one to bring it up.
“Over and done with. I don’t remember much of that night anyway.”
Ah. So he had no idea he confessed—I shook the thoughts out of my head. There was no point in bringing up the past if this was how we were going to act.
“I hate going to those things alone, and there’s the conflict of mixing business with pleasure. I want to stop doing these coffee runs?—”
“Think about all the content you can get. The guys will know you better, and I bet they’d even do that thing you want where they read a few lines of the smutty books.”
I laughed so hard, remembering that I’d done it. That trend had since passed, but I didn’t have the heart to tell him. He was right though. If I came around to the parties more often, then the team would probably feel more comfortable.
“I’d still need to bring a friend,” I said. I couldn’t believe I was even considering this.
“Deal. Bring her,” he replied.
“Who says my friend is a her?” I pulled down my sunglasses to stare at him.
Damn, he was even more beautiful in the sun. His blue eyes were so light they looked like a tropical island.
“Who cares. Bring him, them, whoever,” he said.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “When’s the next party?”
“Great news, the party is tonight because we don’t have our next game for a couple days and just a late practice. We’re celebrating our last Conference win.”
Mom was set with Aunt Mae. She’d probably be asleep, and Luna would be all over this because, unlike me, she loved a good party. In fact, she’d been begging me to hook her up with someone from the hockey team. She had a thing for hockey guys.
I sighed. I wanted to watch the new murder documentary tonight because I knew it would be trending soon, but I guessed I could go. “Cool.”
How lame was that? Why did I say cool to Austin Hart? Ugh. Inside, I wanted to curl up in a ball. It was not my fucking day.
“Cool means, yes, I will absolutely see you?”
I giggled. “Yeah, Austin. I’ll see you tonight.”
Austin smiled. “Good. I’m glad I’ll see you tonight.”
I laughed and walked past him as I clicked open the door. “Gotta go on my coffee run now. Iris is going to wonder what’s taking me so long.”
