Page 62 of Becoming Selfish

“Yeah, I know. I don’t know how I’m going to fix this one,” I hear him say in the distance as they walk back to Marc’s room.

Chapter 43

Logan

I slept terribly last night. Actually, I don’t even know if I did sleep. When my alarm went off this morning, as a reminder to get ready for the gym, I was already awake. I continued to snooze it for another hour, hoping I would get just a bit of sleep, but it never came.

I don’t even have the energy to get a workout in, which is very unlike me. I have the whole day to make it happen, but I don’t have the motivation today. I feel defeated. It’s not like Eli and I are together, but it doesn’t mean that I feel any less disappointed and let down by his actions last night.

The only plan for my Saturday is to study. I was supposed to go to Eli’s hockey game with Marc, but I don’t think that’s the best idea after how last night went down.

As I drag myself out of bed, I stand up straight and stretch my arms towards the ceiling. My joints pop, every muscle in my body sore from lack of sleep. The only thing that will make my aching body feel better is a long shower. The hot water will feel good against my muscles, and hopefully, it’ll clear my mind too. For once, I’m looking forward to taking my time in there as I remember how empty the coed bathrooms were last weekend.

Covering myself with my robe, I grab my toiletries and towel, heading on my way. Thankfully the showers are down the hall in the opposite direction from Marc’s room. I don’t want to risk running into Eli today.

When I walk into the bathroom, I’m disappointed to see more than a few people in here. It’s much more crowded than it was last weekend, but still less so than on school days. I hold my robe tightly against my body as I search for an empty shower stall. Most are taken, but I find one towards the middle of the row as I step inside and put my toiletry bag down. I double-check that the shower curtain is fully covering the opening before removing my robe and hanging it on the hook right outside.

The water starts cold, but it quickly turns warm. I turn the dial to the hottest setting and let the steaming water beat down on my body. Closing my eyes, I put my face directly under the stream as I try to clear my thoughts about the night before, but before I can even begin to relax, I hear Eli’s name being called.

“Maddison! What’s up, man!” I hear some guy say with excitement, but there’s no response.

Shit. I didn’t think Eli would come in here to shower. I knew he stayed in Marc’s room, but I assumed he would’ve gone home when he woke up this morning.

“Hey, Maddison. Fancy seeing you here,” some chick says. I roll my eyes at her tone. This guy has girls fawning over him all the time and, quite honestly, it’s getting annoying.

Again, he doesn’t respond.

I can just imagine her gawking at his perfectly chiseled body while his towel hangs low on his hips, barely covering his manhood. The image almost makes me dizzy, that is until I remember that I’m upset with him.

“Logan! Logan, are you in here?” he yells out.

What the fuck?

“Logan!” Eli shouts again, looking for me.

I poke my head around the curtain to see Eli pacing the shower stalls as he calls my name. He’s fully dressed, shoes and all, with no intention of showering, and it’s evident that he’s here to find me.

“Eli? What the hell?” He snaps his head in my direction, his expression instantly shifting from frantic to relieved when his brown eyes lock with mine.

“I went to your room to talk to you, and you weren’t there...” he begins as I roll my eyes and close my curtain to continue my shower. “Logan, I really need to talk to you.” I stay silent, wishing the squeal from the shower head would drown out his pleading voice.

“Please, let me just explain what happened last night,” he adds, panicked.

There’s plenty of chattering voices in the bathroom from people whispering amongst themselves. I’m sure they’re just as shocked as I am that U of M’s star hockey player and most notorious playboy is publicly apologizing in a coed bathroom.

“I stopped by my house after practice to grab a change of clothes before I was headed over to meet you. I had no idea there was a party going on.”

I stay silent, still waiting for the apology portion of his explanation.

“Anyway, an old buddy of mine was there, and he wouldn’t let me leave until I had a drink with him,” he tries to rationalize.

“A drink doesn’t take four hours!” I snap from my shower stall.

“I know. I know it doesn’t.” He sighs. “Every time I tried to leave, he would stop me. Trust me, the only place I wanted to be last night was with you.”

My eyes widen, and my lips part as I’m taken aback by his sweet words. Not just that he’s saying them, but also that he’s saying them in front of a crowd.

“You could’ve called.” This time when I speak, my voice has less anger behind the words.

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