Page 21 of The Drop

“Does that work for you on the ice?” I snort out a laugh, looking back at him and receiving another Grant Anders wink.

“Lets fucking go” Adam shouts grabbing all our attention, jumping on the couch and chugging his beer before crushing it in his hand.

Guess it does.

Chapter Ten

Brooke

Within half an hour, we are all changed and walking through the basketball house’s front door. Cami and I are both wearing short dresses and sneakers, as it’s still so warm out. Arriving at a party with the boys is always a fun experience; they get swarmed as soon as we walk through the door like celebrities. It's wild.

We move past them in search of drinks, not needing to hang around, and I have to squeeze past a girl already laughing and stroking Grant’s arm, making me roll my eyes as he gives her his sexy smirk.

Cami tugs me by the hand through the house, as I’ve never been here before. We head past a makeshift dancefloor with strobe lights, and we veer into the kitchen, where there is a table with a poker game going on.

“Gross,” she huffs as we fill cups up with, hopefully, vodka and cranberry juice. “It’s so annoying how they just swarm them like that.”

“Right,” I say back. “Did you see the two head straight for Gunnar?” I’ve learned I love stirring the Gunnar pot with Cami.I don’t know if she’s just got a crush on him or what it is, but it’s interesting seeing her react.

“I know! He’s taken leave, him alone, right?” She takes a sip of her drink and winces, showing its strength.

“Right.” I wink at her, smiling, holding my cup in the air for a cheers and taking a sip before we both wince together. “Come on, let's go dance, we’ve wasted enough of the night already” I grab Cami’s hand, and we stumble towards the loudest part of the party on the dancefloor. As soon as we start to dance, I feel the stress of the day seep away as I just enjoy the music and stop thinking.

We’ve been dancing for an hour, before we decide to get some air. Cami knocks into the sliding door as we try to walk through it side by side, and she falls sideways, hitting a couple making out. They glare at us as we finally navigate the door successfully, this time stumbling out onto the deck laughing together.

“Am I cutting you both off?” Grant calls over from the corner, where the guys are leaning on the railing and outdoor furniture with some other team members. There are still some girls hanging around, but numbers have dwindled, and none of them are standing near Grant, so I decide it's safe to head his way.

“Only Cami. She’s a bossy drunk.” I smile and laugh, leaning on the railing next to him while Cami sits on the sofa set that the other boys have commandeered, giving me the finger and stealing Bear’s drink out of his hand. I laugh as I watch him open and close it, looking confused.

“Having fun?” Grant asks, tipping his beer back, taking a drink.

“You know what, I am.” I smile, nudging him, feeling the happiest I have in a while. “I didn’t get to do this at my old college. Josh and I always went to parties together, but he was so focused on school that it never really happened.”

“That’s a shame.” He frowns down at me, “Best part of college is the parties”

I don’t want him to think I’m a loser who just stayed in and studied, so I grab his drink and take a sip; he smirks as I grimace.

“Big beer fan?” He raises his eyebrow.

“Not normally.” I take another sip, shrugging. “But alas, I have no other choice.”

“You could go get your own drink,” he teases, nudging my arm.

“You could go get me a drink, sure.” I nudge back, taking another sip; he laughs, and I can’t help but smile, biting my lip.

“So, how do you manage to be a captain of the hockey team, do your schoolwork, and have fun partying so hard?” I turn my body to face him entirely, and he mirrors me, giving me that smirk again.

“You don't approve?”

“I mean, it's none of my business, I'm just curious,” I shrug in response. After each party we’ve been to, the boys somehow manage to make it to practice or the gym, and it amazes me, as I look like a slob in all my classes the day after.

“Hockey's the dream, but I chose to stay in college to get the degree, and I might as well enjoy the experience, right?” he offers the beer out to me, and I take it.

“What's the degree again?” I ask before taking a sip.

“Communications and Media Studies, sport journalism or broadcasting is the backup”

“Ooh, cute", I hum.

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