Page 5 of Sidelined Love

Continuing our game after taking shots of tequila is going to be an interesting endeavor. Maybe this evening will be interesting after all.

As if Asher grabbing the bottle of tequila was a bat signal, the other guys come in and bring a bigger crowd with them. He lines up plastic shot glasses as if he’s some sort of pro bartender at some high-end club versus the guy that usually has to be convinced to party harder.

He fills each glass, and I can’t help but stare at the clear liquid shimmering under the low lights. Everyone waits until Asher finishes pouring the liquor before grabbing their own cups.

Wilder raises his shot and says, “To bad decisions.”

We all raise our drinks, clinking them together. “To bad decisions,” we repeat, and I can’t help but grin. I raise an eyebrow before bringing the plastic to my lips.

As the sharp, warm burn of the tequila slides down my throat, I shake my head and let it warm my body. It is delicious and exactly what I need to distract myself from thinking temporarily. I put the cup down and run a hand down my face. Focusing on this beer pong game is going to be a challenge, but it makes things more interesting.

I chase my shot of tequila with some beer before I glare at the red Solo cups staring me down. There is no way the fuckers in front of me are going to win this game. “Are you guys ready to play again?”

I can see that the tequila is hitting them more than me. I glance at Wilder out of the corner of my eye, and either he has the best poker face I’ve ever seen, or the tequila has barely affected him. When the two dudes in front of us give us a small nod, I snatch the ping-pong ball from the table and move to aim.

The ball leaves my fingers, soaring through the air in a perfect arc before landing gracefully in one of Seth and Rob’s cups. A collective gasp leaves everyone’s lips before a loud round of applause erupts.

The urge to be cocky is strong, but I do my best to hide my smirk as I watch the opposing team exchange wary glances. Their eyes narrow and I can feel the shift in the energy in the room. This is beginning to feel like a battle instead of a friendly game of pong.

As I reach for my cup of beer, I catch sight of Wilder grinning mischievously. He extends his arm, pointing at our opponents’ side of the table. “Looks like there’s only one cup left on their side. Let’s wrap this up right now, shall we?”

That does little to soothe the tension that is growing between us and the other team, but I am not surprised. It’s the same attitude that Wilder brings with him to the rink and that helps us win so many games.

His words have the exact opposite reaction on the crowd as their cheers seem to bounce off the walls, reminding me of what it feels like to step out onto the ice.

But before we can continue what will surely be a win for us, a voice breaks through the noise. It’s one of the opposing players and I can read the anger on his face.

“Hold on a damn minute. You haven’t won yet,” he says, his eyes blazing with the kind of fire that could only be the result of tequila and a bruised ego. “We’ve got one cup left, which means we’re still in this game.”

The room grows slightly quieter as the tension goes up another notch. I watch as he adjusts his stance, takes a deep breath, and then tosses the ping-pong ball. The room holds its collective breath as the ball defies gravity for a moment before it clatters against our side of the table and bounces off into no-man's-land.

A chorus of disappointed groans fills the room from the people that wanted them to win, but Wilder and I just exchange knowing looks. It’s our turn again, thank fuck.

I lean over to Wilder and mutter under my breath, “Finish this.”

He gives me a quick nod and then grabs the ball. He moves it between his fingers before he launches it through the air. It arcs perfectly, and with a small splash, nails it right in their last cup. And just like that, we clinch the win.

Wilder’s shot causes the room to erupt like a volcano of cheers and applause. As the defeated team hangs their heads in tipsy acknowledgment of their loss, Asher strolls over to the table once more with a new bottle of tequila. Soon we’re taking shots again, and I begin to feel more relaxed.

The room buzzes as the crowd around us continues to celebrate. Their laughter sounds as if it’s bouncing off the walls, but not everyone is happy.

I look over and my eyes find Seth, who is slowly turning red. He looks to not be taking the celebrations too well. Before I can react, he stumbles and slams his palm against the worn wood of the beer pong table, causing several cups to jump, spilling some of the liquid that is still in them.

I watch as he steps up to Wilder, but Wilder doesn’t move an inch. I’m mentally preparing to jump in if it comes to it. I know Wilder can handle himself and the right thing for me to do as captain would be to set the right example. However, there’s no way I’m going to watch one of my teammates get into a fight and not act.

“This isn’t over,” Seth says.

I momentarily feel like we’ve gotten transferred into a B-rated action flick.

Wilder cocks an eyebrow as if he’s amused by the sight in front of him. He looks unbothered even though I know the tequila must be affecting him by now. “It’s just a game, man. Let it go.”

Wilder is right, but that might not have been the best move. His just a game comment only adds fuel to the fire. I watch as Seth’s hands clench into fists at his sides. The crowd senses the change in the air as laughter fades and the whispers increase. People start moving away from the table and toward the walls and exits, and I can’t blame them at all.

As if sensing something is about to happen, Asher’s hand hesitates over the bottle’s cap. His eyes dart between Wilder and the pissed off guy, calculating what he should do.

“Don’t give me that bullshit,” Seth says, inching closer to Wilder and invading his personal space. I already know where this is going to go, and I can already see myself having to explain this to Coach in the morning.

Before I can process anything, anger flashes on Seth’s face just before he shoves Wilder with both hands. Wilder stumbles back but regains his balance before I make my move.

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