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I could be in my bed right now. I could be binge watching shows and enjoying a pint of my mint chocolate chip ice cream. Instead, I’m standing here, watching my best friend make out with her hockey hunk of a boyfriend.
Rolling my eyes, I’m about to tell Taya and Sarah I’ll catch them back at the dorm. Until Brock Morris exits the locker room. Followed by Jake Larson. My heart drops to my stomach. They’re laughing about something until they spot us.
My eyes are instantly drawn to Jake’s jeans. They hug him so nicely. Brown strands stick out of his baseball cap, and he’s wearing a fitted T-shirt. Looking away from his muscles, I regret looking up. Because his eyes are on me. And it shoots a bolt of electricity through me. Gosh, I hate when he stares. There’s always some intensity in his stare that I can’t handle.
All of the guys look reasonably hot tonight. Taya looks hot in her off-the-shoulder fuchsia top, jeans, boots, and loose, brown waves. Sarah’s wearing a T-shirt, shorts, white Vans, and her hair is straightened. I look...plain. Sweatshirt, leggings, sneakers, and I put my hair in a top bun. I’m the only girl not wearing makeup. Ireallyshouldn’t have shown up tonight.
“Allie, hey,” he says, surprisingly happy. I just give him a curt nod.
“Leia, who’s your friend?” Brock interrupts our awkward moment and motions to Sarah. Sarah swiftly looks up from her phone. I don’t know how she stays so aloof when things are happening. She looks between me and Brock, seemingly confused.
“Sarah, this is Brock. Brock, this is my friend Sarah,” I say, slightly annoyed.
“Nice to meet you,” Sarah says in her most sultry voice. I look down to hide the smile I can’t help.
“Anyway, I’ll meet you guys at the bar. Good job tonight, by the way.” Turning away, I leave before I get more uncomfortable. I’m almost to the door before a hand lands on my arm. Turning around, I lock eyes with Jake. Shit. “Do you need something?”
He raises his eyebrow at that. “That’s all you have to say? After aweekof not speaking?”
“Jake, I don’t know what you want me to say.” I hate drama. I just want to hang out with my friends and get through the night. But he’s not going to make it easy.
“You don’t have to say anything. Just...let me drive you? We haven’t seen each other in a week, Allie. At least let me be your ride.”
I could say no. Ishouldsay no. But he’s my friend. He’s not going to hurt me during a ride to a bar. Sighing, I nod. He smiles and follows me through the door.
JAKE
I haven’t smelled her in a week. And, fuck me, she smells good.
I shouldn’t have offered to drive her. The drive is already weird. I glance at her, and she looks terrified. She keeps twiddling her thumbs and biting her lip. I can’t believe she’s still afraid of me. What the fuck happened in the last week? Seeing her act like this is weird.
“So, uh, how’ve you been, Allie?” It’s a weak attempt. But that’s all I’ve got. It got her to look at me, though. A tired look, but it’s a look nonetheless.
“I’ve been okay, Jake. Thank you,” she snaps at me. This is pissing me off. I pull over to the side of the road. The bar can wait a few minutes. She looks at me, confused. “What are you doing?”
“What the hell happened? I haven’t seen you in aweek, and you’re brushing me off the first chance I even get to see you again? What the fuck gives?” I can handle this from any other girl, but something about this girl makes me lose my mind.
She sighs and looks forward. I hold my breath since I don’t know what to expect. Will she slap me again? Is she going to jump out of the car?
“Nick has been cheating on me.”
Oh.Notwhat I was expecting her to say. I can’t say I’m not relieved to hear it’s not because of me, either. But guilt suddenly rises in my chest. I saw them together and didn’t tell her.
I clear my throat and focus on the matter at hand. The little bastard made her feel this way. The goddamn girl looks tired and annoyed.
“Allie...I’m so sorry.”
“He’s been seeing Stephanie. I felt this coming, but I was hoping it was just in my head. The fucking bastard’s been cheating on me.” Her voice breaks, and it breaks my heart. The only thing I can do is pull her in and hug her. The sobs against my chest break my heart. When I say I hate seeing her like this...I more than mean it. “Jake, I’m s-s-sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was avoiding you. I wanted to focus on school and the team, and I—”
“Allie, baby, it’s okay. You’re entitled to your time away. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that’s what you were going through this week. I wish you’d told me, but I get why you didn’t. For starters, if you did, his body would be miles down the Pacific by now.”
She at least laughs at that. I missed that laugh. I kiss her forehead.
“You’re such a good guy, Jake Larson. I don’t deserve you as a friend.”
I grind my teeth. “You deserve whatever you want, Allie.”Just say the word and I’m yours. She smiles and kisses my cheek. “Now...let’s take your mind off it tonight.”
“That would be great, actually.” And just like that, we’re back.
