Page 18 of What Are the Chances
“Coach has me watching game tapes of Tanner Holbeck,” Ryan said. “Apparently, and I quote, I needtoshut the fucker down.”
Tanner Holbeck was a name most guys in the league knew and hated, which meant one thing – the guy was fucking elite. He almost gave Levi a run for his money, but Levi’s game came more naturally. Even Levi’s off-days were better than most guys’ best days. If he wasn’t my best friend, I’d hate the guy.
“Coach has it out for Holbeck. Apparently he tried recruiting him out of high school, but Holbeck knocked him back to go to Allentown,” Morrison filled in.
I snickered. “That explains the vendetta.”
Ryan whistled. “Can you imagine Holloway, Caufield and Holbeck on the same line? We’d be un-fucking-stoppable.”
The reality was that we wouldn’t all be on the same line together, but it was fun to imagine.
I shook my empty beer bottle. “I need another drink. You both good?”
After Ryan and Morrison nodded their confirmation, I headed for the drinks van Ryan had ordered in. It was too cold for beer, but it was either that, a fruity drink, or sober up. The latter wasn’t an option. I’d planned on taking it easy tonight, but now Riley was here that possibility was out.
No contact for three years, now twice in one week. When we’d first broken up, I’d thought it would be impossible not seeing each other on campus. Turns out it was pretty fucking simple. And I’m not sure what had changed.
I remained in safe territory for the rest of the night. Now Riley had realised this was the campfire the hockey team was congregating around, she kept her distance too. It was both a blessing and a curse, because while it was easier to breathe when she wasn’t around, I spent too much time trying to spot her.
Given she’d never popped up at the parties I went to, I’d figured she didn’t go to any. Though I was starting to realise that was just what I’d been hoping.
People got drunk at parties. People met people at parties. People hooked up with people at parties. Is that why I couldn’t see her now? Was she zipped inside someone’s tent? Lying in the back seat of their car?
I’d never heard a rumour or hook up story that included Riley Dover, but that didn’t mean they didn’t exist. I mean, look at the girl. She was fucking gorgeous. When I’d realised that in freshman year, I’d done the smart thing and made her my girl before someone else did.
Shit. Maybethat’swhy I’d never heard of her hooking up with anyone. Maybe she was dating someone else, something serious.
That thought cut a lot fucking deeper.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Stay with me tonight
RILEY
I groaned in frustration. I was seconds away from launching my phone at the closest tree.
I’d located Parker – and my jacket – temporarily, but she’d quickly slipped away to find the guy she was seeing. Probably because I wasn’t the best company right now.
I couldn’t blame her that she’d involuntarily forced me into coming to a party that theentirehockey team was at. Maybe if she knew who my ex was then she could’ve been more cautious about forcing us into such close proximity. But Icouldbe mad at her friend Beth, who was currently shacked up with some guy in the back of Parker’s dad’s van. Now where the hell was I meant to sleep?
I’d been on the outskirts of the party for almost an hour, holding my phone at different angles attempting to call Tanner. It was late now. He’d be asleep. But I knew he’d come and get me anyway. All I needed was reception and I could escape.
I checked over my shoulder, hoping to find a path or something that led to higher ground. What I found instead was Will Caufield returning from the woods. He stilled when he saw me. I would’ve too, had I not already been frozen.
He looked so warm in his thick jacket and Phil-U beanie. I was at the point where I couldn’t recall what it was like not having ice-cold fingers.
He danced his gaze between the party and me, contemplating.Please choose the partyI prayed. Having him on my turf in the physical therapy rooms was one thing. Out here was a completely different playing field.
It was pathetic how his presence still had such an impact on me, even after all this time. I had other exes I could be in a room with and not be bothered by, but Will had always been different.We’dalways been different.
My breathing slowed when he headed my way, and my heart stilled entirely when he stopped in front of me. I had to crane my head to look up at him. I’d forgotten how big he was. I used tolovehow big he was. Tall. Strong. It was fair to say I had a type, and that type had always been Will Caufield.
“Are you stalking me?” I asked, mock blinking sweetly.
“Me? What areyoudoing here?”
I tightened my hands around my phone. “I’m here for a friend.”
