Page 135 of What Are The Odds?
“I don’t entirely agree with that.”
I looked in the background of her video, hoping for any insight as to where she was. But she was keeping the camera close to her face. Wherever it was, it was loud. She was shouting to be heard over the music.
“You’re cold,” she said.
“No shit. It’s New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia.”
“I mean, you’re off. I’m not near the Athlete’s Centre.”
“Oh.”
My stomach sunk. Was I even within twenty-four – shit – twenty-two minutes of getting to her? Her background darkened as she flipped off the light. As she stepped out of the room she was in, people swarmed her. She was at a party. That much was clear. Had she been at one of the ones I’d checked? Had I missed her? I’d looked as thoroughly as I could at each of them without wasting time. Half the campus probably assumed I was an ass after ignoring them when they tried to say hi.
“Here’s your clue,” Grace said.
She tapped the back of a broad shoulder. If that was Ryker I was going to – Tripp turned around, a grin stretching across his face.
“Oh hey, Cap. I forgot to mention we’re having a party tonight.”
I was going to kill him. Our house. Of course. We’d all been there at the same time. The party after my hockey game. The night Grace kissed Ryker. But the night she spent with me. I jogged to my car, praying I didn’t slip on ice. It took me fifteen-minutes to drive to campus most days. But that was when there was traffic. There shouldn’t be any this close to midnight on New Year’s Eve. The camera returned to Grace.
“You better stay right there, Hughesy,” I warned.
She smiled. “Come find me, Holloway.”
*
I made it home in record time. I parked across the driveway, boxing in every person who’d parked in my way. I jumped from my car before I’d even cut the ignition. Striding to the front door, I was equal parts angry and amused. I had nine minutes to find Grace. I didn’t want to waste another second. The party was in full swing as I crossed the threshold into my house. There was going to be one hell of a clean-up tomorrow. The guys could do it. That was my punishment for hiding Grace from me.
“He made it,” Tripp said, looking up from where he was sitting with a bunch of guys from the team.
“Just,” Ryan said, checking his watch.
They were far too amused for my liking. My heart was in my throat. Didn’t they understand how much this girl meant to me? If I didn’t find her, they’d suffer too. I’d be miserable and they would have to deal with it again.
“Where is she?”
They both shrugged. Unhelpful pricks. I checked the kitchen first, using my height to look over the many people wedged in here. Next, I checked the back deck, where different groups huddled together. No way was Grace outside. She wouldn’t be able to handle the cold. Turning, I almost smacked into Will.
“You better be quick,” he said. “Ryker walked in five minutes before you did.”
“Has he found her?”
Will shrugged. “Haven’t seen him since he arrived.”
I climbed the stairs, two at a time, acting as though I was on the ice as I bumped people out the way. Once on the landing, I looked across the living area, hoping to see Grace’s blonde hair moving around. The place was packed, making it hard to keep track of anyone. When the music was turned down the crowd momentarily quietened.
“Two-minutes until midnight,” Tripp shouted. “Find your New Year’s kiss.”
The crowd cheered as he turned the music back up. Two minutes. Two minutes stood between having Grace and losing her. I frantically whipped around. There were a few stragglers on the landing, playing pool. But most of the partying was happening downstairs.
“Yo, Holloway.”
I stilled at the sound of Ryker’s voice. I was too scared to face him. Jumping off this landing seemed like a better option than fronting him if he’d found Grace. He took the decision out of my control when he moved to stand beside me. I let out a relieved breath when he came into view. He was alone.
“I’m bowing out, man.”
My forehead furrowed in surprise. Call me fucking sceptical, but I didn’t expect him to roll over without a fight.
