Page 96 of I Blame the Alcohol

This is the first time Stella didn't wake up gasping for breath. It's the first time she has slept long enough to need the alarm I just turned off.

She’ll be pissed if I don’t wake her so we can hit the gym before the morning rush, but looking at her sleeping frame, there is no way I am ruining the leap of progress she just made.

Ever since that first therapy session, Stella has been attending weekly sessions over in Silverwood. It’s tough to see internal progress, but she has seemed lighter these last few weeks. As if the past doesn’t drag her down so much as keeps her grounded.

Quietly placing her phone back on the nightstand, I crawl back under the covers next to the girl who stole my heart that first day at the gym and hasn’t given it back since.

Epilogue

2moremonthslater…

Mo

It feels good to be back.

Looking around the poorly decorated banquet room, the scene looks identical to last year’s lacrosse banquet and all the banquets before that. Taber dresses up the gymnasium to look semi-decent while athletes get respectably drunk in front of parents and guardians before throwing all respectability out the window the second their family members leave.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Mason’s flaming red hair comes into my line of sight, and I hold back a grimace.

“Mason. Good to see your grades kept you around a while longer.”

He grins like one of those annoying people who don't get offended, “Didn’t want the shift from captains to be too dramatic after you left. Did you hear your protégé is giving up the title you so-kindly bestowed on him?”

What a dick.

“What Ellsworth does or doesn’t do with his team has nothing to do with me.” I nod towards the banner hanging next to the awards table, “Besides, it looks like he managed to get the job done even with your old ass holding back the team.”

Mason laughs, “He sure did. Couldn’t tell you how he pulled that one off, but he did.”

I give him a cool nod before walking away. Some guys work their asses off, receive nothing in return, and take it like a champ. Mason was one of those people who got a chip on his shoulder whenever he was passed over for an award.

I have no patience for those people.

Girls smile in my direction as I make my way over to Stella and Cody’s table, the coy looks and suggestive winks doing nothing to spark my interest. It’s been a while since anyone intrigued me enough to take a second glance, but that doesn’t stop me from pasting a smile on my face whenever someone looks my way.

I find my sister and Cody chatting amiably with another couple nearby. Cody’s arm is wrapped protectively around Stella’s waist, but I manage to spot the tattoo peeking out between the slit in her two-piece dress.

Falling beside Stella, I lean down to whisper in her ear.

“You’re showing a lot of skin tonight.”

She grins, shifting a long braid over her shoulder, “I'm working my way up to a bikini.”

“Not for next year’s banquet, I hope.”

My sister laughs, looking more relaxed than I have seen her in a long time.

“Pretty sure father would disown me. Cody is planning a Banff getaway for us this summer, so the goal is to hit the hot springs wearing as little material as possible.”

I chuckle, “In that case, keep the trip photos to yourself. There is only so much of you I want to see.”

Stella slaps my arm, “Be nice.”

Rambunctious laughter breaks out behind us, and we turn to see two rookies throwing chocolate covered fruit at each other. I raise my eyebrows and Stella sighs next to me.

“Don’t be a douche, Mo.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

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