Page 50 of I Blame the Alcohol

He’s right, and the ugly truth is I’m burnt out.

“Do you regret being captain?”

Mo straightens, giving him an extra four inches on me, “I don’t believe in regrets. But if I were to redo my university experience there are some parts of myself that I would explore more. And to do that, I would have needed more free time than the position of varsity captain allowed. So, no, I don’t regret being captain, but given the chance, I wouldn’t do it again.”

I mull over his words, “What parts would you explore? I feel like you managed to do things most guys only dream of doing.”

That’s not an exaggeration, Mo has an entire wall of signed conquests, and most of those came in pairs. When it came to spending his limited free time, Mo made sure he checked all the boxes on female anatomy.

“Just getting to know myself more. I got so focused on becoming the person my father and my team expected me to be, that I didn’t get the chance to be who I wanted to be.”

“Who do you want to be?”

Mo grins, “Don’t get all introspective with me, Ellsworth. You haven’t offered any insights into your own dilemma.”

I groan, “Because there is no dilemma, I’m just being dramatic. But it’s nice to dream about the things I would do with free time.”

I immediately think of Stella, of taking her on dates and getting to know each other the way real couples do. Our early morning gym sessions wouldn’t have to be the only stolen moments we find together, and we wouldn’t have to make an excuse to talk to each other at a house party.

We would simply attend events together.

And spend an entire weekend in bed just because we can.

My train of thought must have been written all over my face because Mo looks at me with a knowing smile, “I think you mean, all the girls you would do with some free time.”

I huff out a laugh and quickly look away, “Something like that.”

Stella

Incoming Facetime Call…

“Stella!” Lou’s smiling face fills my screen and I find myself bursting with excitement. These catch-up calls have kept me going all week and today is no exception.

“My darling Lou, what dirty details have you got for me today?”

A laugh echoes off-screen, causing Lou to glance up and blush deep red.

I try and fail to hold back my smile, “Tell Wes I say hi.”

“Wes says hi back!” A male voice shouts the response, making me burst out laughing. Lou’s eyebrows pinch together as she scolds her boyfriend lingering somewhere nearby.

“I told you to leave. The door is that way.” She juts her chin towards the door, the stern expression betrayed by the smile shining in her eyes.

“But Trip, I want to hear the dirty details. That way I know which moves deserve a repeat performance.”

I still can’t see him, but I know for a fact Wes is wiggling his eyebrows right now. Lou’s exasperated eye roll gives him away.

“Out.”

“ButTrip…”

“Out.”

“I love it when you get bossy.” The camera shifts so Wes’ sparkling green eyes come onto the screen, his wide smile popping out dimples that are dangerous even over facetime.

“Stella, if you hear any sort of complaint, please let me know. My manhood is on the line.” He leans back and plants a sloppy kiss on Lou’s forehead.

“Make sure you tell her about the hot tub.”

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