Page 94 of I Blame the Alcohol

I blink, “That’s specific.”

“The heart wants what the heart wants.” Nico shrugs, “Always thought I was a large dog kind of guy, but it turns out, those minis really grow on you.”

Wes shakes his head, “Dude. You refused to go out with Luke yesterday because you said date conversation is boring.”

“So? I’m not wrong.”

“How do you expect to get married if you refuse to date anyone?”

Their friendly banter continues all the way to the showers, where I split off to have a moment of privacy. I pull my phone out of my pocket and smile at the name lighting up my notifications.

STELLA: How did it go???

STELLA: It’s okay if you change your mind.

STELLA: I know those guys mean a lot to you.

If Stella isn’t pacing her dorm right now then she has definitely found some sort of distraction. One that probably involves her poor roommate.

ME: It went better than expected. Wes and Nico are excited to be co-captains next year.

Stella had actually been the one to suggest the co-captain idea. When I had expressed concern about putting Lou and Wes’ relationship in jeopardy if the captain position became too much to handle, she suggested breaking up the role between two people.

STELLA: Amazing. Any second thoughts??

At the start of this year, I thought I had to choose between Stella and her older brother. I thought I had to choose a side, decide where my loyalties lie and stand my ground. Now I realize that the decision was never going to be between Stella and Mo – It was never my loyalty that was the problem, it was my priorities.

In the end, it came down to choosing between Stella and lacrosse.

ME: Not a single one.

Stella

“Remind me again why you’re straightening my hair?”

I smile, watching the steam drift from the iron in Lou’s hair.

“Because you have a date tonight.”

Lou frowns at me through the bathroom mirror, “But that isn’t until this evening.”

I carefully brush through the newly straightened strands, hunting for any stray pieces of wavy hair.

“Don’t you and Wes have a class together this afternoon?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”

I raise an eyebrow, “So you aren’t going to have a quickie in the staff closet after human anatomy?”

Lou blushes, “We don’t do that every time.”

“Hm.”

“We’re just both really passionate about the topic.”

I snort, “Passionate about Wes’ anatomy, maybe.”

“You got me.”

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