Page 20 of The Friend Zone

I’ve been so preoccupied with everything that’s happening on and off the ice, that I took the long way back to the Greek Row, driving around campus twice to clear my mind.

By the time I pull into the Gamma house driveway, the party Topher insists on throwing after every home game is already in full swing.

Thankfully people Uber it here or walk because they plan on drinking and I don’t have to struggle to find my usual parking spot.

I hold the steering wheel with white knuckle force, psyching myself to cut the bullshit and go into the house.

I’m not in the mood to party, but I need to check on Bay. If she knows about the blowjob, after being dumped by text message, I’m sure she needs a friend.

The house is already crowded when I get in. Music is playing in the living room, where some people are dancing and another group is doing shots by the couch.

Bay is nowhere to be seen, but I spot Jagger and Candace.

Fury makes me see red when I see his arm wrapped around the girl’s shoulder. Is he for real?

Is this a decoy to keep Topher off his back, or is Jagger more of an asshole than I could have ever imagined?

I walk in their direction, my attention focused on weaving through the throng of bodies dancing in the middle of the room.

Bay comes out of nowhere, and she spots them before I can reach her.

She’s a vision in a short black skirt and a long sleeved green top that fits her like a glove.

Jagger can’t see her, intent on whispering something into Candace’s ear.

Bay pales as if she’s seen a ghost.

Fuck. I’m going to kill Jagger, but first I need to take care of my best friend, no matter how hard it is being near her right now.

She turns her back to her former friend with benefits, and heads toward the stairs.

I quicken my pace, elbowing a couple of people out of the way but Ryker walks up to her.

He says something I can’t hear and I stop in my tracks, watching them leave together.

What does it say about me that relief floods me like a tidal wave?

I probably should go and tell Jagger to take whatever is going on with Candace somewhere where Bay can’t see them.

Instead I go to my room. This has been the worst night ever and I’m spent both physically and emotionally.

CHAPTER 6

RESCUES AND USSIES

BAY

The last few hours are a blur.

After my Advanced Organic Chem class, I found a text from Jagger.

He doesn’t want me to meet him in the locker room later. He dumped me.

Ok technically we weren’t together, so he didn’t dump me. But he basically said he would “see me around” and it was better to talk via text because he’s busy.

I know that isn’t a lie, Jaggerisbusy between a demanding IT major and the hockey team. But his crazy schedule wasn’t a deterrent when we hooked up more than once a couple of weeks ago.

I went to the locker room anyway with the intention of talking to him. He’s been avoiding me since he came to my room with Ryker after the pool incident.

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