Page 59 of Becoming Selfish

I have no idea what time it is, but I do know that I’ve had way more to drink than the one I promised Jay. Every time I try to leave, he stops me at the door and puts another beer in my hand. He and the rest of the team won’t let me out of their sight long enough to make a dash for it, and I’m trying not to cause too much suspicion over my desperation to leave. Typically, I would never consider leaving if Jay was in town; I used to idolize the guy, but I currently have a more important person I need to see. I’ve been keeping my eye out for Cam so I can get my phone back and call Logan, but he’s nowhere to be found.

“One more,” Jay says, pulling me away from the door, yet again.

“No, man. I can’t. I really have to go this time.” I pull my arm from his grip.

“Since when do you leave a party? What is going on with you?”

“Maddison...” Alyssa slurs in her high pitch voice as she walks by, grazing her nails down my arm, and for once, I’m thankful for her interruption.

“Well, hello there,” Jay says in a low tone as his eyes follow her every move.

“Hey.” Alyssa bites her lip as she continues to walk away, making sure to sway her hips more than usual, knowing Jay has his eyes on her.

“Whoa!” Jay drunkenly exclaims. “You’re telling me that you’re going to leave when that girl is here?” He nods in Alyssa’s direction, his eyes wide.

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you,” I state matter-of-factly, finally fed up with his bullshit for the night.

“Have it your way, kid. I’ll be enjoying myself tonight.” Jay rubs his hands together, wandering off to follow Alyssa.

With Jay preoccupied, I make my break for the door. I still have yet to spot Cam and get my phone and keys back, not that I could drive. I’m way over the legal limit. I might not always make the smartest decisions, but I’m not enough of an idiot that I would drive drunk. But, I would like my phone back so I can check the time and let Logan know that I’m on my way. The walk is going to add an extra thirty minutes on to my arrival time, so I’ll worry about my things tomorrow. I guess she will find out that I’m on my way when I get there.

“Hey, man...” I say to the first person I spot once I make it outside. “What time is it?”

“Maddison!” the guy shouts, though I have no idea who this stranger is. “This season is going be sick, right?”

“Yeah, for sure,” I brush him off. “The time?”

“Oh. Yeah.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “It’s only twelve-thirty.”

Fuck.

Chapter 42

Logan

“I thought you were supposed to be working on your paper with EJ tonight?” Marc asks from the hallway as he passes by my open door.

“Yeah, we are, but he texted that he’s running a little late,” I inform him from my spot of the floor in my room, surrounded by my laptop and notes, where I’ve been sitting and waiting for Eli.

I assume that he got stuck at practice later than he had planned, which is no big deal. I’m just looking forward to seeing him tonight. I’ve been looking forward to it since Monday, and thankfully, I’ve been so busy with school that this week has flown by. This will be the first time I get to see Eli since my conversation with Marc about my feelings for his brother, and I’m excited to spend time with him, guilt-free.

I’ve only texted with him a few times this week, and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t miss him.

“Are you sure you don’t want to bail on my brother and watch the Raptors game with me?” Marc playfully suggests.

I chuckle as his attempt. “I can’t. But make sure you record it. I want to watch it tomorrow.”

“I’m going to order a pizza. Want me to get a bigger one so we can share?”

“No, I’m okay. Thanks though. Eli should be here soon.” I glance down at my phone again. It’s already nine-thirty.

“Ali!” Marc yells, standing in the hall between our rooms.

“Yeah?” She shouts back to him while sitting at her desk and working on schoolwork.

When Ali and my doors are both open, we can see perfectly into the other’s room, so we keep them that way most of the time. That way, we can hang out without actually having to leave the comfort of our own spaces.

“Want some pizza? I’m going to order one,” Marc asks.

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