Page 62 of What if I Told You

Happy trail? Got that too.

No underwear? Fucking better believe it.

Eat your heart out ladies.

With the night off from a game, and knowing Ella was going on a date, I had originally planned to hang out at home to watch the Red Tails play Seattle since they come to us next week; however, after my small meltdown with Griff and Ledger earlier, they insisted we all watch the game together upstairs in the Clubroom. Something about making sure I don’t drink myself into oblivion when I’m all up in my feelings.

“Like I would do that,” I mumble, slipping a t-shirt over my head before grabbing my phone, my keys, and another bottle of beer and then heading upstairs.

“Blackstone,” Harrison nods as I open the Clubhouse door and step inside. “Nice of you to show up.”

“And looking so fucking hot, might I add.” Griffin winks at me knowing damn well why I chose the outfit I’m wearing.

“Don’t hate me for being the hottest one on the team.”

“Pfft.” I glance across the room at an amused Bear. “Don’t flatter yourself pretty boy.”

“Hey Bear.” I gesture to the oversized television screen attached to the wall where Zeke Miller, goalie for the Chicago Red Tails, is warming up. “How come when you do that groin warm up, it’s not as sexy as when Zeke Miller does it?”

Bear flips me off and grins proudly. “Is it laundry day, Blackstone?” he asks me.

“No. Why?”

“Well, I couldn’t help but notice a certain article of clothing is missing. Thought maybe all your tighty-whities were in the wash.”

“Mesmerized by my dick, eh Cunningham?” I pass him a wink and a few air kisses. “I’ll give you my secret but don’t tell anyone.” Bringing my hand up to my mouth like I’m telling a secret, I say, “If you yank on it a few times a day, it will grow for you.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

He grabs a slice of pizza from the box on the table along with a beer and joins Harrison on the couch.

“Where’s Magallan?” I ask the group.

“Out to a late dinner with Scarlett. He’ll be a little late but he said he was coming. Don’t know if Scarlett will be with him or not.”

We watch as the Red Tails start their first period against the Seattle Sea Brawlers driving the puck down the ice, passing with prowess, and defending their goal with intensity.

“They look good,” Harrison says. “Dex Foster is one fast mother fucker.”

“Yep.” I nod. “Can’t wait to push his buttons and have some fun when it’s our turn.”

At the end of the first period, I find myself checking my phone for any word from Ella, but my screen is blank. She’s been radio silent all evening. I know that’s how it’s supposed to be when she’s on a date, but there have been dates in the past where the guy is a dud and she’s secretly texting me the play by play until she can jump ship and leave. Before I moved away from Indigo Bay I was the one she ran home to after a date, good or bad. It’s always been me and I’m hopeful it’ll be me again tonight. But the fact she hasn’t texted me tells me she’s most likely enjoying herself. And that’s not good for my psyche at all.

“So,” Ledger says with a nudge to my shoulder while passing me another beer. “How you doing since we last saw you?”

I lift my beer up and give him a smile. “I’m six beers in so I’d say I’m feeling pretty good.”

“Yeah, I figured. But how are you really?”

“I’m fine,” I lie. “I’ll be fine. It might suck right now but I’ll figure my shit out eventually.”

“I know you will.” He takes a sip of his beer and I do the same. “What are you going to do when she comes home? You going to talk to her?”

“I’m not going to ignore her, if that’s what you’re asking, but also,” I say lifting my bottle again, “I’ve had too much to drink to consider having any kind of mature conversation tonight. And that’s if she even comes home.”

She better fucking come home.

“Is she a one-night stand kind of girl?”

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