Page 3 of I Blame the Alcohol

He nods in Mo’s direction, “It’s about time someone took his place. Even if he wasn’t graduating, it was time for him to go.”

I frown as my protective instincts kick in, “Mo has done so much for this team, he will be leaving a legacy behind.”

“Hey, all I’m saying is it was time for some fresh blood. And I cannot be happier you were the one chosen.” Flashing me a grin, Mason motions to the blonde I mistook for Stella just moments earlier.

“That one has been eyeing you up all evening. Go have some fun, Cap. Tonight the defensemen are the ones scoring.”

I sneak a glance at the girl in the green dress and find her staring back at me. A sly smile comes my way, and I find myself smiling back.

I start making my way over when Mo’s laughter rings out over the crowd. I turn to see my mentor and his younger sister doing some sort of dance routine and the smile taking over Stella’s face stops me dead in my tracks.

Wow.

Shaking my head, I resume my path towards the blonde and paste a polite smile onto my face. Her brown eyes are a far cry from the ones I wish they were, but you can’t always get what you want.

Chapter 1

Presentday…

Stella

7.2.The treadmill beeps as I increase the speed, forcing me to lengthen my stride to keep from being thrown off the end. I sneak a glance at my neighbour’s screen and feel a spark of satisfaction.

6.5.And he doesn’t have any incline on.

My sweaty neighbour gets off the treadmill five minutes later, but I keep running for another twenty. It’s one thing to beat your opponent, it’s another to make a point. Because that’s what happens when you stop growing at 4’11, people assume you’re weak, or worst,delicate.

God, I hate that word. Just because I’m short doesn’t mean I’m made of glass.

I bite back a sigh of relief when I finally press the cool down setting, my treadmill automatically reducing to a brisk walking pace. Sweat trickles down my neck and drips into my sports bra as I walk my heart rate down to normal levels.

I feel stares on my back as I chug my water bottle, and I resist the urge to tug at my tank top. The dark material is plastered against my skin, but that doesn’t stop me from glancing down to make sure both sides of my torso are covered. All clear.

Content everything is covering what it should be, I hop off the treadmill and walk over to the water station. I glance around the room, hoping for a sight I haven’t seen in a while.

Well, more likesomeoneI haven’t seen in a while.

The usual pre-dawn regulars are dispersed around the lower floor, but the blonde fauxhawk I’m looking for is nowhere in sight. With a sigh, I turn from the water station and head over to the cubby holding my gym bag.

If someone asked me why I worked out for an extra hour today, I’d be hard pressed to admit the truth. It’s not like me to wait around for a guy, hoping he’ll make an appearance. Even if the guy in question does have shoulders that could rival the rocky mountains.

“Weird not seeing Cody around, hey?” The friendly voice drags my attention to the front desk, where Stephen has been working since before I started at Taber University. His unruly dark curls put a smile on my face even as disappointment weighs down on my chest.

“I heard he got the okay to start exercising last week, so I’m sure he will be back any day now.”

The fact he still hasn’t made an appearance is starting to concern me. Not that it’s a personal concern, it’s more of a hope-he’s-okay-because-he-is-one-of-my-brother’s-closest-friends concern. There’s a difference, trust me.

“Man, I hope so. I miss watching you two bicker every morning. Makes my day feel so much more productive.” Stephen shoots me a wink and I let out a laugh. Cody and I have a tendency to argue like an old married couple over everything and anything. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed sparring with him until he got injured.

“Things will be back to normal before you know it. See you later, Stephen!”

I nudge my bag higher on my shoulder and head towards the door. The guy I outran on the treadmill earlier quickly drops his dumbbells and rushes over to intercept my path. I sigh, preparing myself for the new routine that’s taken place since Cody’s been MIA in recovery.

“Hey.” The smile sent my way is cute in a friendly way. Light blue eyes offset the brown hair, and the freckles dotting his nose are visible even from my standpoint.

“Hello.” I smile politely and make a move for the door. Freckles takes a step to the left and blocks my trajectory.

Here we go again.

---