Page 42 of The Drop

“Credit where credit is due; the guys help a lot with my marketing by posting on their socials, and those have rocketed since the launch.” I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to brag but proud of the team. They’ve all been so helpful.

“So, you just hang with the hockey team?” Megan asks, wide-eyed. “Like, you just get to stare at them practice.”

“I mean, I am working, but I get to watch them, too.” I laugh because, admittedly, I do stare at Grant a lot at the practices I attend.

“They are so hot,” Savannah sighs. “That Gunnar guy is just wow.”

“Ah, he’s taken, I’m afraid.” I scrunch my nose, thinking about how pissed off Sasha would be hearing that. I don’t even know the girl, and she scares me.

“Boo,” Savannah says, sticking her thumb down, “all the good ones are.”

“Grant Anders is up for grabs, though,” Megan offers, waggling her eyebrows at Savannah and me; we both laugh, but mine is more forced, thinking about my complicated feelings for Grant.

“Yeah, but he’s got girls falling over him left, right, and centre”, Savannah sighs, rolling her eyes. “I wouldn’t even get a chance.”

“Is he really a player?” I don't know why I ask. I already know I will not like the answer.

“Any party I’ve been to, he’s been hooking up with someone, so I’ve always assumed he is, but most of the hockey team are.” Savannah shrugs her shoulders like it is unimportant, and to her, it is, but to me, uneasiness settles in my stomach.

“Lots of girls think they can lock him down; I mean, you get the, oh, what do they call them in hockey?” Savannah asks, clicking her fingers, trying to think of the name.

“Puck bunnies?” I offer.

“Puck bunnies!” she shouts, then looks around to make sure no one heard, and Megan and I giggle.

“They are the worst,” she whispers.

“Yep, I encountered a couple of those when we were out after the game last week,” I snort into my drink, shaking my head before looking up at them, staring at me with parted lips and wide eyes like they can't believe what they just heard.

“You were out with Grant Anders?” Their mouths are still hanging open in shock. It’s kind of comical.

“Uh, yeah.” I nervously giggle, crossing my legs on the lounger and playing with the frayed edge of my shorts. “I live next door to him.”

They both squeal and grab each other’s hands, and can I blame them? I would do the same with Cami.

“I thought you just did The Drop with the team and that was it, but you actually know them?” Megan asks, leaning forward, and Savannah follows.

“Yep.” I nod, feeling a little awkward suddenly. I’ve been here before with Josh. People heard his last name and were all over him and me like a rash when they found out we were dating. Girls used to want to “hang out” with me, suddenly.

“I’m going to just check in with Adam and Bear quickly.”

“Bear? As in Bear McDonald,” says Savannah, at the same time Megan asks, “And Adam Price?”

“Yeah,” I say, standing up, debating whether to leave my stuff or leave the party together, feeling like I’m going to be right back where I started, just with no other friends. “This isn’t going to be weird, is it?”

“Oh my God, Brooke, no, I’m so sorry,” Savannah says apologetically, reaching her hand out to grab my arm in reassurance. “It’s just you kind of hear all these stories, and you just, ya know, hang with them.”

“Sorry if we are making it weird,” Megan adds, looking embarrassed. “That was really rude of us.”

“Don't worry, it's fine. I’ll grab some more drinks and be back.” I smile, and they return it, nodding before turning to each other to keep talking as I turn to walk towards the entrance of the pool house.

I’m like an excited kid. I’ve made friends all by myself. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, but I want to share it with Adam and Bear. Only realising as I go to walk out of the pool house that I took my boots off, leaving me barefoot, but I’ve got my beer jacket on, so I walk out into the cold air, heading up the steps to the deck that wraps around the back of the house.

I grab some drinks from the kitchen, but I don't spot Adam and Bear, so I head out onto the deck, bumping intosomeone as I try to avoid a group coming up the steps from the yard.

“I know you told me to go away, but come on, Brooke, let’s talk,” I groan. “Of course, it would be Josh I've bumped into.” I've had the worst luck twice in one day.

“Josh, I said no, just leave me alone.” I can tell he’s got some liquid courage from drinking, and I’m in too good a mood to deal with him right now.

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