Page 56 of What Are The Odds?
“Hey, Holloway,” I nodded.
Levi frowned in response. I discreetly shrugged back. I didn’t know how to act around him anymore. Hugging him felt too forward. Sayinghiseemed cold. I sure as hell wasn’t kissing him like he had kissed me before class the other day. Particularly not with Summer’s hand resting on his bicep. Besides, I didn’t even know if he would want me to. That was a step above casual in my eyes. The rules were too complicated. I was in way over my head. I wasn’t equipped to handle a guy like Levi. I turned my back on Summer and Levi, giving the game my full attention. The familiarity of the Australian commentators was nice. The accent and lingo were a comfort. I hadn’t realised how many things wereAustralianuntil moving here.I’d had to explain to Stella once after telling her I was eating brekky, and I’d tried to order capsicum at Subway and received nothing but a dumfounded expression from the sandwich artist.
“Jesus,” Ryker yelped, when a Fremantle player shepherded a Hawthorn player. “I can’t believe these guys have no safety gear.”
“I know right,” Levi agreed. “Wild, huh. Some of them don’t even wear mouth guards.”
Had the world ended? Levi and Ryker had just agreed on something. That was a first. They gasped unanimously when a player was tackled. They seemed even more surprised when he got up without complaint and kept running.
“This game is rough as guts,” Ryker said.
“Best sport in the world,” I quipped.
Summer pursed her lips. “Where are the cheerleaders?”
“Cheerleading isn’t really a thing back home,” I answered.
For some reason, saying that felt really good.
Summer rolled her eyes dramatically. “No surprise there. My cousin did an exchange in Australia. She said they were so behind the times. Like, they don’t even celebrate Halloween.”
Ryker bumped his leg against mine. “What? No Halloween?”
I shrugged. “It’s not that big.”
Definitely not like it was here. For weeks the shops had been decked with Halloween decorations. Even half the lecture halls were kitted out with fake cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns.
“The football team is throwing a massive Halloween party this year,” Ryker said close to my ear. “You better be there.”
“Sounds fun,” I absentmindedly murmured.
My eyes had fallen to Summer’s fingers that were now gliding up and down Levi’s arm. Levi reached for his drink, causing her hand to fall. A moment later a foot brushed mine beneath the table. Based on the fact Levi was trying to catch my gaze, I figured it was him. I subtly snatched my foot back. He ought to be doing that to the girl beside him. He might be outspoken about never being tied down, but I didn’t feel comfortable playing footsies when he was entertaining another girl. A uniform gasp travelled through the whole bar when a player took a Specky. I kept my focus on the TV for the remainder of the game, only stopping to answer Ryker’s questions. Though there were four of us at this table, there was a clear divide. Summer and Levi. Ryker and me. It was like the world’s most awkward double date. Summer’s voice was hard to drown out. Every second word that came out of her mouth waslikeorbabe.Though plenty of boys passing by had slowed to ogle her, Levi seemed to be the one who held her attention tonight. The second the final siren rang, I slipped out of my chair and began pulling on my jacket. Ryker stood up. Levi stood too.
“You okay, Hughesy?”
I nodded, forcing one last smile. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to call it a night.”
“Come on,” Ryker said, touching my elbow. “I’ll drive you to your dorm.”
“I can drive you, Hughesy,” Levi offered, reaching for his keys.
“No,” Summer whined, yanking on his forearm. “Stay.”
Ryker placed his hand on the curve of my back. “It’s fine, Holloway. I can get Grace home safely. You and Summer have fun.”
I was too tired to weigh in. Whichever lift would get me home quickest was the one I was going with. As Ryker ushered me towards the exit, I turned over my shoulder to say goodbye to Levi, but the crowded bar made it impossible to see him.
31. Exclusive
Levi.
Tripp slapped me on the back where I was preparing a protein shake in the kitchen. No hangovers were following us this morning. In hindsight, organising for the boys to have after practice drinks at Lastlings wasn’t wise. I’d sold it on the context of team bonding, though before we’d left the ice, I’d given a very strict emphasis on the maximum of two drinks each. Not that I kept tabs whether they’d obliged. I’d spent the entire night stuck with Summer, not bonding with the team or hanging with Grace. It’d been a failure in my eyes. Will strolled into the kitchen, dressed in a navy suit. He messed up his hair before pulling on his Phil-U beanie. I snickered. I was practically wearing the exact same thing.
“Where’s Ryan?” I asked.
“He left twenty-minutes ago to set up for a TikTok.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I groaned.
