Page 48 of The Fine Line
“Did you have a good night?”
I try to peel my eyes open but quickly give up. Feels like they’re glued shut. There’s a vague knocking somewhere in the distance, but it just melts into the noise already pounding through my half-conscious brain.
“Rhett?”
I hum, shoving my face deeper into the pillow. My hand fumbles until it finds warmth—soft, solid—and I flop my arm over the body next to mine, burrowing closer. I’m drifting back off within seconds, the noises gradually fading.
But then they come back all at once when a door slams open, and a shriek pierces the air inches from my ear.
“Oh my God!”
I bolt upright, blinking into the harsh light.
“Sutty, what the fuck?”
Through squinted eyes, Bennett comes clearly into view—standing over me in slacks, a white shirt, and a sharp navy tie.
U of T colors.
University of Toronto.
Where we both play hockey.
Hockey.
Game day.
I turn my head slowly to the alarm clock, as if that will somehow make it say the time I want.
“Shit.”
“Yeah, shit is exactly what you’re about to be in if you don’t get up,” Bennett says. When I don’t move, he yanks the comforter clean off the bed.
“Bennett!” Carly squeals, yanking the sheet to her chest. She’s in just a t-shirt and panties, and that’s when the blur of last night crashes back.
Carly.
The girl I’ve been seeing for a month.
Guess she showed up at some point.
Jesus.
“What the hell are you doing?” Bennett snaps, ignoring her completely. “We’ve got Waterloo today. You know it’s one of the biggest games of the season.”
Of course I know that. Everyone knows that.
Even my dad.
Which is why he’s coming today.
Which is also maybe why I drank until I couldn’t think anymore last night.
“Do you mind?” Carly huffs at Bennett, motioning between the bed and herself.
“Not when we’re supposed to be in the locker room in twenty minutes.”
“Ugh,” I groan, leaning over and massaging my temples. I’mtempted to ask if the room is spinning for everyone or just me, but I stay quiet.
