Page 57 of Becoming Selfish

“So, am I right?” He pauses again while eyeing me with concern. “Were you just worried about what I would think?”

I take a deep breath and pull my gaze away from Marc’s. “How did you know?”

He sighs. “Because I know you...” he states, “And today, Ali informed me of what an idiot I am when I told her how impressed I was that you were immune to EJ’s charms.”

The image of Ali lecturing Marc at Double G before I got there makes me laugh out loud.

“Well, it wasn’t just because of you, Marc. There were other reasons, too. But more recently, yes, I was worried about what you would think.”

“I think it’s going to be kind of weird to see you guys together in that way,” he quickly says. Then softens his blow by adding, “But if anyone can get my brother’s head on straight, it’ll be you.” He gives me a half-smile.

A moment of silence lingers between us as I absorb everything Marc just said. I’ve been trying to avoid this conversation because I was sure he would scold me for being ridiculous, like the way he did when he found out that I was texting with Zac. But I should’ve known that Marc would be understanding and almost even on board with the idea of me spending time with his brother. If there’s one person that Marc loves more than me, it’s Eli.

“So...what did he say about me?” I tease, knowing that he won’t divulge any information, but trying to lighten the mood.

“Oh, hell no!” Marc shakes his head. “I’m staying out of it.” He throws his hands up in defense.

I tilt my head to the side, smiling up at my best friend as I try to contain my laughter. He really is such a good guy, and I’m lucky to have him. Eli is too.

“You know there’s nothing that’ll ruin this, right?” I motion between Marc and myself, referring to our friendship. “In case that’s something you’re concerned about.”

“Yeah, I know.” He gives me a thoughtful grin. “But, if he does anything to make you upset, you let me know, and I’ll kick his ass,” he adds, without sarcasm.

“I can handle myself.”

“Oh, I know!” Marc pretends to shadow box me, then nudges me in the shoulder. “But you don’t always have to take care of yourself. That’s why I’m here. I got your back.”

Chapter 41

Eli

I’ve been looking forward to tonight all week. Even though the start of the season has kept me busy with longer practices and team meetings, the days have felt like they’ve dragged on not being able to see Logan. But it’s Friday, and I finally get to see her. I haven’t had an opportunity to lay my eyes on her beautiful face since Monday. I did try to casually run into her between classes, knowing her schedule because it happens to be the same as Marc’s, but my timing never worked out. I even swung by Marc’s room a couple of times for no particular reason, hoping she would be there, but she never was.

I’ve tried to avoid texting her too much, hoping that my absence would cause her to miss me and realize that she feels just as strongly for me as I do for her. Though, judging by our few flirty and banter-filled text exchanges this week, I have a feeling that she’s already come to that conclusion.

I was going to go straight to her place after practice, but I decided to swing by my house first and grab something to sleep in, in the hope that I’ll get to stay with her again. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since I was last with her, and the memory of her warm body next to mine is the only thing that got me through those sleepless nights.

As I pull up to my house, my truck vibrates from blaring music before I notice the crowd of people spilling out onto the lawn with red cups in their hands. There wasn’t supposed to be a party tonight, but it’s becoming more apparent, the closer I get to the house, that there is. The alumni game is tomorrow afternoon, and we always host a massive party for all the graduate players afterward. Since we have to play tomorrow, tonight was supposed to be a night off from drinking for the team, even though tomorrow’s game is just for fun.

When I open the front door, the first person I see is the last person I wanted to. “I’ve been waiting for you.” Alyssa grabs my hand and cocks her head as her lips lift in a seductive smirk.

Ignoring her words, I pull her hand off mine without responding to her advances. I sure as shit learned my lesson last week.

I spot Cam just a few feet away in the kitchen. “Cam!” I yell over the music. “What the hell is going on?” I look around the packed house, frustrated.

“Maddison!” he shouts as he approaches, handing me a beer.

“There wasn’t supposed to be a party tonight. We have to play tomorrow.”

“Chill out, Captain. That game doesn’t matter.” Cam rolls his eyes. “Don’t look at me; I didn’t know this was going down. I just got home ten minutes before you did.” He holds his hands up in defense before proudly looking around the crowded house. “But Jay is in town, and he’s the one who made this happen.”

“Jay is here?” I ask, surprised. I didn’t expect him to be in town until tomorrow. I would’ve never made plans if I’d known he would be here, simply because I know he won’t let me get away without partying with him.

“Yeah, man! I don’t know where he ran off to, but he’s around somewhere,” Cam tells me excitedly, before chugging the rest of his beer and heading towards the keg for a new one.

Jay was a senior here when I was a freshman. I wouldn’t necessarily call him a friend, but he was sort of a mentor to me in my first year. He was the ‘big man’ on campus until he graduated, and I filled his role. I followed in his footsteps when it came to how I played on the ice as well as the reputation I earned among the ladies. He was on the way to play professionally when he blew out his ACL his senior year, and ever since, Jay has made it his mission that I would live out the dream that he would never have.

I set the beer down that Cam gave me on the closest surface I can find and make my way towards the stairs. I try to move quickly so that Jay and the rest of the guys won’t notice me. I just need to get to my room, grab a change of clothes, and slip out of here unnoticed. I’m looking forward to hanging with Jay, but that can wait until tomorrow as I had initially planned.

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