Page 59 of Choke

The trance is broken, and I step back out of Adrian’s grip, running my hands over my shirt and smoothing my hair.

“Excuse me,” I say, taking another step back and another.

Adrian and Calloway are speaking quietly as I continue to back away. I am almost free of them when Adrian’s eyes snap up to mine.

“Hey.” He snaps, and I flinch.

Fuck.

I look toward him. Calloway gives him a stern look.

“Come on, man, let it go.” He warns.

Adrian brushes him off, “Fuck off.” He snaps before returning his attention to me. Stepping forward, his tone laced with fire.

“Take off that fucking jersey.”

His voice is so low that it’s hardly audible. I glance at his hands; his knuckles are bruised and raw from the fight.

“Take it off, or I’ll fucking rip it off.”

Tilting my chin up, my voice shakes.

“And then?”

He leans in, his eyes skating down my body, and his breath scorches my skin. “And then, get the hell out.” My feet are planted, my heart pounds, and my mouth is bone dry. He glares at me. I feel my lungs strain as I begin to lose control. My head spins, and I can’t move.

Feel the floor beneath my feet.

Feel the breeze from the air conditioner.

Feel the—

He shoves me gently. His chin tilts toward the exit. I spin and storm away, my pulse hammering. With each step, I am able to think more clearly, and when I’m about ten feet from the exit, I turn and head to the ladies’ room. He thinks he can control me.

No fucking way.

Nice To See You

Adrian

She storms away, her sudden spin carrying her scent toward me. I breathe in, but it does nothing to calm the rage burning in my chest.

That fucking jersey.I can’t believe she wore his jersey. I watch her walk, and my breathing returns to normal with each step toward the door. I’m about to return to our team when she diverts from the path and strides into the restroom. Her chin tilted up in a show of defiance.

If I weren’t so fucking angry, I’d follow her in there and punish her for being such a brat. Hard.

On second thought… I step forward to follow her, and Cally’s hand lands on my chest. I turn to face him slowly and deliberately.

“I think we’re both well the fuck aware that I’m willing to fight my friends.” I spit.

He rolls his eyes, chuckling. “Relax, man. Not the time or place. You can continue the weird fucking game you two are playing in a less… populous location.” He motions around us to the room packed with hockey players and fans.

Fucking TikTok.

“I fucking hate TikTok,” I mutter to him.

I turn and head toward the bar, desperately needing a drink. Cally laughs and pats my back as we walk.

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