Page 86 of I Blame the Alcohol

“I am glad someone else noticed their constant arguing!”

I cross my arms with a huff, “We are just two opinionated people. Sometimes we bump heads.”

“Sometimes?” Stephen grins, turning to Lou, “You should have seen them first semester. Every morning it was like watching two lions fight over a gazelle. Pure entertainment.”

Lou smirks, “Who would win?”

I narrow my eyes, “Choose your next words wisely.”

He chuckles, “With one exception, I always place my bets on O’Brien. And to-date, I have never lost a bet.”

I nod, satisfied with his answer while Lou raises her eyebrow in question.

“What was the one exception?”

Stephen grins, “Who was going to end up with O’Brien.”

I blink in surprise, “There was a bet for that?”

“Of course. And for that one, my money was always on Cody.”

Chapter 26

Friday,3:30PM.

Cody

MASON: Get your ass to the gym, the USport representative will be here any minute.

Resisting the urge to smash my phone against a nearby wall, I pinch the bridge of my nose and pull up Stella’s number. It rings through and I suck down a breath before I lose my shit.

Why did the USport representative have to choose today of all days to make an appearance? Took them months to respond to the assistant coaching request I sent back in September.

I try Stella’s number again but no answer. The time on my phone blinks at me mockingly, the numbers counting down the minutes until I was supposed to drive Stella to her first therapy session.

Fuck. Why isn’t she answering her phone?

WES: Hey man, not sure what’s going on but wanted to check and see if you were ok?? We kind of need you at the gym right now.

I clench my jaw, feeling my molars pop. This whole situation is bullshit. We only got notified about this mandatory meeting ten minutes ago, and as the team captain, there is no way I cannot attend. Especially considering I was the one who sent the request in the first place.

ME: What is Lou’s number? I can’t get a hold of Stella.

WES: Here it is. Should I be worried?

Ignoring his last text, I hit Lou’s number and breathe a sigh of relief when she answers on the first ring.

“Hey, it’s Cody. Is Stella around?”

“Oh, hi Cody. Let me check.” Movement echoes through the phone, the sound of a door opening and closing before Lou hops back on the line.

“No, sorry. I think she went for a run to blow off some steam before her appointment.”

“She went for a run without her phone?” I exhale, willing myself to get a reign on my emotional spiral. My frustration and now concern for Stella’s safety puts me about two seconds from blowing my top.

“Never mind, I’ll discuss that with her later. Right now, I need your help.”

“Me?” The surprise in her voice has me softening my tone.

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