Page 25 of Secret Puck
He smiles and holds a beer in one hand. They’re not touching, at least that I can tell, but they’re standing close. He laughs and his stare moves past her to me. It isn’t the first time he’s caught me staring in the last hour.
I know he’s all wrong for me. Dakota and Reagan have filled me in on all the guys and what they said about Heath is exactly what I expected. He hooks up, he’s all for the fun, but he doesn’t date, and he’s never had a girlfriend that they’re aware of.
The reasons to not hook up with him are many, not the least of which is him being my brother’s roommate and teammate. And if I’m totally honest, I’m not one hundred percent over Bryan. I think it’s mostly turned into anger at the way he ended things and missing the idea of what I thought college would look like. We were supposed to be doing all of this together, but if we had, I wouldn’t have met Dakota and Reagan and I already can’t imagine that.
“You’re staring,” Reagan says, nudging me with an elbow.
“I know. It’s pathetic. She’s beautiful. Do you know her?”
“No, not really. I’ve seen her around.”
“With Heath?”
She nods. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t think it’s serious. I think it’s lack of options and similar goals.”
“Is the goal not going home alone?”
She laughs. “Yeah, pretty much. And Heath’s a hot commodity, especially now that he’s been drafted.”
“Drafted, like to the NHL?” It clicks before she answers. “I remember Adam saying something about one of his teammates being drafted, but I didn’t realize it was Heath.”
“Heath and Maverick both already signed with teams.” Standing, she slips into her shoes. “Come on, I see Rhett playing flip cup.”
I take one last look at Heath and our eyes catch again. I tear my gaze away first this time and stand. “Let’s do it.”
“College is awesome. A-W-E-S-O-M-E awesome.”
Reagan and Dakota’s laughter is a hazy sound as they help me into Adam’s bed.
“I put a glass of water on the nightstand and your phone on the desk. Do you want help getting changed or at least out of those shoes?” I think it’s Reagan who asks.
My eyes are shut, and their voices are surprisingly similar.
“No, it’s fine. This way I’ll be ready to go to classes in the morning. No getting ready. Voi, voile, I mean voila!”
“Tomorrow is Sunday, sweetie.”
“How did you get so drunk?” Dakota asks. I can tell it’s definitely her this time, the little snort laugh she does gives her away.
“I’m not drunk. Just tipsy and tired.”
“Now I see the family resemblance. You’re as stubborn as your brother. Last time Adam got drunk, he swore he was fine until he fell down the stairs on the way to the bar.”
I’m too tired to laugh, but the image in my head of my bossy and always in control brother tumbling down a flight of stairs is hilarious.
“Okay. Night, Ginny. Sleep tight.”
Their footsteps retreat and one of them flips the overhead light off before the door shuts.
“Wait,” I call, not loudly enough. I groan and sit up, prying open my eyelids. A small strip of light underneath the door is the only thing saving me from total darkness. I get up and look for my phone, but I can’t see anything. I flip the light on and take a deep breath. I still don’t see my phone, but now I need to pee.
I stumble out into the empty living room. Rhett came back at the same time as we did, but he must have gone to bed. I hurry into the bathroom and close the door, then fumble with the light switch.
Only nothing happens. Damn Adam and his inability to change a freaking light bulb. It’s really dark in here and my pulse quickens. I find the door handle, turn and yank, but nothing happens. It’s a standard turn lock, but no matter which way I turn, it doesn’t seem to do anything and my breathing gets more erratic with each failed attempt.
Oh my god, this can’t be happening. I close my eyes to try to trick myself into believing it isn’t as dark as it is, but I’m already panicking too much to fool myself.
I bang on the door. “Little help in here.”
