Page 142 of What are the Risks
I leaned against the bar, slowly sipping my whiskey. I watched the door eagerly as the crowd started to arrive, waiting for Ruby and my teammates.
Levi Holloway and I had already been here for two hours, filming promo content for tonight’s presentation.
Like me, he was dressed in a black tuxedo, and seeing him out of his usual Phil-U athletic gear was strange. I’m sure he felt the same when he looked at me.
“Can you believe that was the last time we’ll ever have to do Phil-U marketing together?” he asked.
The corner of my mouth turned up. “Is that you implying you’re going to miss me, Holloway?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely not,” he bit, though his lip did quirk back a little. “Are you sticking around until graduation?”
“No. I have to be in Vegas soon for the Draft.” I clutched my cup, impatiently swishing the liquid around. “The guys have already started packing up our place.”
“The football team are giving up the house?”
“Nah. We’re just clearing out enough for the next group of guys to move in over the summer.”
Levi nodded. “It’s the same for us. Getting it ready for the next generation and all that.”
I grimaced. “The next generation? That makes me feel old.”
“Oh yeah. Twenty-two. We’re ancient.”
A loud thunder of voices had me glancing at the door. The hockey team had just turned up as a pack. Damn. Why couldn’t my team have arrived first?
“Are you waiting on someone?” Levi checked, studying me.
“I am actually.”
Levi’s eyebrows rose in question.
“Girlfriend,” I supplied.
While that wasn’t technically what Ruby was, referring to her as my friend didn’t sit well anymore, and calling her my situationship or fuck buddy didn’t feel right either.
“Youhave a girlfriend?” Levi exhaled deeply. “Man, I fucking love hearing that.”
I playfully rolled my eyes. Six months ago, I probably would have rolled them in seriousness before arguing with this guy.
“Relax, Holloway. I was never going to steal your girl. Though if Grace sees the error of her ways and comes after me, there’s nothing I can do about that.”
I couldn’t help but snicker at his scowl. After all these years of dealing with his arrogance, he’d finally shown a weakness at the very end.
“Man,” I breathed with a grin. “Even after all this time, it still brings me so much joy to piss you off.”
Maybe Iwouldmiss that part next year.
Levi picked up his drink, his expression thoughtful. “Have you forgotten our conversation?”
“Must’ve,” I answered, because I had no clue where he was going with this.
“One day you’ll understand the feeling I have when it comes to Grace, and whenever that happens, I’ll be waiting on your apology.”
Tripp O’Connor, one of Levi’s closest friends and teammates, spotted his captain across the room and made his way towards us. His cocky confidence set me on edge as he drew near. The hockeygroup were a smug crowd – pot-kettle, I know – but it was more tolerable when the arrogance was coming from my teammates.
Speaking of, I spotted Evan and his self-assured strut as he entered the function room. That meant Ruby wouldn’t be far behind. They’d all come together.
“Richardson. Looking dapper,” Tripp said as he casually leant against the bar, signalling for the bartender. “I passed our trophy on the way in. Can’t say I saw yours.”
