Page 64 of Sticking Out

I don’t know or care. All I know is that I’m having a wonderful time celebrating the team’s championship with great friends. This, right here, in this house with Conner, is where I belong. I’ve never really felt a sense of belonging in the house I shared with Alec. This is real and in my heart I know we have a future together.

I catch Gina chatting with Josie, and I don’t miss the way Ash is watching her, his face hard as she basically ignores him. Ooh, there’s definitely a story there and I want to hear it.

Excusing myself from Conner, I head toward Gina when the door chimes. I pause for a second. Isn’t everyone here already? Who the heck did I forget? I walk toward the door and smile as I swing it open. My smile falters slightly when I come face to face with Summer.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it,” I greet them. I turn to Knox, as he holds a bottle of wine out to me. “Thank you. Come in.”

I guide them in and close the door. “Sorry we’re late. Summer had a hard time getting away.”

Summer looks almost mortified at that explanation, like Knox said something he shouldn’t have. “We’re here now. How about we get into that wine?” Summer says quickly, like she wants to change the subject.

“Knox,” someone calls out from the living room and he glances at Summer. she gives a little nod, and it makes me think they had a little talk about her not being left alone with me. Knox obviously knows she and Conner have a history. “Get in here.”

“You good?” he asks, making this a bit more awkward.

Summer smiles, but it’s shaky as she gives Knox a tight nod. “Dani and I are going to get a drink.”

He disappears into the room, joining the guys. Since she looks like she’s desperate for alcohol to take her nervous edge off, I gesture with a nod for her to follow me to the kitchen.

“Not much has changed,” she comments as she glances around, and her words are like a punch to the gut for some reason. Does she want me to remember her time with Conner, or is she nervous, like me, and searching for something to say?

Summer casts me a fast glance. “I…wasn’t going to come. Knox really wanted me to.”

My heart softens a bit. She’s out of place, as out of place as I was when I first started hanging out with this crowd. No one deserves to feel that way, and if memory serves me right, it was Conner who stopped calling her, which led to the breakup.

“You and Knox…things are serious?”

She shrugs. “I’m not sure. I mean he’s a nice guy. I really like him. I’m just…”

She lets her words fall off. Clearly something is holding her back, and I’m not going to push. Wait, she’s not still in love with Conner, is she? I glance into the living room as we head down the hall, and my heart jumps when my gaze lands on Conner, who’s watching Summer very carefully. Every muscle in his body is tight, everything about her presence is clearly distracting him. He’d been around her at the pool party and was fine. Maybe it’s because she’s back in his house. Maybe it’s bringing up old memories. Good or bad memories, I’m not sure.

“You had a hard time getting away,” I state, desperate for something to talk about.

“It’s fine,” she answers, her words fast and dismissive.

Alrighty then.

I find Melanie, Rylee and Emilia in the kitchen. Emilia, a former Olympic figure skater, is the team’s assistant skating coach and she doesn’t come out much. I’m grateful for their presence. I quickly introduce my sister and Emilia to Summer, and Rylee narrows her eyes as she pours herself a generous glass of wine, like she’s trying to place Conner’s ex-girlfriend. Rylee had informed me earlier she was going to pump and dump, because tonight she needed wine. I need wine too.

I grab an open bottle and fill two glasses. I hold mine up in salute and we all tap. “To the cup,” I say and we all take a drink. “Shall we?”

We make our way back to the living room, just in time to hear Brady tell one of his ridiculous jokes, and as everyone laughs, I note the way Conner is staring again. Summer makes her way to the other side of the room and starts talking with Harper who has been chatting with Gabe—Gabe the Babe, as the bunnies call him—a rookie who came alone tonight. The guys call him Gabby, ironic for sure, considering he doesn’t talk all that much. He also doesn’t come out much, and he’s super quiet. His gaze strays to Emilia, and if looks could kill, Gabe would be six feet under. From what I understand they go way back, childhood friends, I think. Conner told me she seems extra hard on Gabe, the team’s right winger, during training.

“Wait, is that…”

I turn to look at my sister. Her eyes are wide as recognition hits. “Yeah, that’s her.”

“What is she doing here?”

“She’s with Knox,” I tell her. “The past is the past, and that’s where it’s going to stay.”

She doesn’t look as convinced as I am. I’m not sure I blame her, considering the way Conner is watching her. Before Rylee can say more, I hook my arm in hers.

“Help me bring the hors d’oeuvres in.”

“Sure.” We walk into the kitchen. “She has some nerve coming here.”

I shrug. “In this world, the bunnies get around. The guys don’t seem to have a problem sharing.”

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