Page 59 of Summer Shot
“It will be hard work.” My words rush forward, bright with my excitement coming back. “But I promise it will be rewarding, and we will have more fun than you imagined.”
“Speaking of fun—” Libby boldly interrupts “—tonight there’s a party at the captain’s house to celebrate the new alternate captains.” Libby steals my thunder sharing the news of the party. “Oh and the captain is Laur’s boyfriend,” she adds bluntly.
The mood in the room changes, electric and eager with energy.
“What do we wear?” someone whispers. I assume it’s a new girl.
“Can we drink?” someone else mutters.
“Do we have to go?”
The room instantly goes silent at the last question.
“Why would you not want to go?” Libby sneers, putting her hands on her hips. “You get to hang out with the team and—” I cut her off, worrying, creasing my brow at what she will say next.
“You can wear whatever you want,” I start.
“But it’s a party so —” Libby goes quiet as my eyes find hers, meeting her with a menacing glare. Message received, she doesn’t finish her sentence.
“Yes, it is a party,” I declare. A new-found authority takes over my voice, “but you can wear whatever you want. What other questions do you have?”
Reluctantly, a redhead I recognize from interviews as the freshman Lena raises her hand.
“Yes?” I nod toward her, encouraging her to ask the question.
“Can we . . .” Her voice is like a whisper in the wind. “Can we drink?”
Fidgeting with my hair, I’m not sure how I want to respond. How the hell did I not anticipate this? Underage girls are going to want to drink at parties, but I don’t want to encourage illegal behavior.
What would Bren do? Who am I kidding . . . she would probably hand them a shot.
What would Nick do . . . if it was his hockey team and a new player asked.
“You can do whatever you want,” I blurt out, speaking way too fast. I take a sip of my watered down iced coffee, trying to find words. “I mean please be responsible, but what you do is your choice.” My headnods as if I’m agreeing with myself. “Just remember you can get kicked off this team should your behavior get out of hand.”
Lena’s eyes grow wide as saucers with fear. Shit, I didn’t mean to scare her.
"What she means is—” Libby jumps in to rescue me “—don’t get sloppy drunk and don’t get arrested. Any other questions?”
No one speaks up, but I am positive someone asked if they have to go. Maybe they are too afraid to ask in front of everyone.
“If you do, feel free to ask me after or send me a text,” I offer. “We’ll meet again later this week—details are in your schedule packets.”
“Someone will text you details about tonight!” Libby squeals, clapping her hands in excitement.
Animated chatter drifts all around as the room slowly clears, but one girl lingers behind.
Sensing she wants to talk to me, I tell Libby to go ahead and I will meet her at home.
“Lauren,” Raven says in a low voice. “I mean Laur.”
“What can I help you with?” I paint a friendly smile on my face, trying to make Raven feel like she can confide in me.
“Is the party mandatory?” Raven rushes to explain herself, “It’s not that I don’t want to go or that I don’t like parties. It’s just that my sister is a freshman and already on campus for orientation, so my family is here too.”
“It’s definitely not mandatory,” I confirm. “Only the meetings and dates in the schedule are mandatory.”
“Are you sure? I want to go, it’s just that my family will be gone,” her voice trails off.
