Page 45 of Out of the Shadows
As if on autopilot, I rolled out of bed, stripped out of my compression shirt, threw an oversized shirt on, then slipped out of sweatpants and into a pair of jeans.
No time to do anything with my hair, so I shoved a baseball cap on my head backward, then a few spritzes of cologne, and off I went. Before I stomped down the stairs, I knocked on Hunter’s door and yelled, “Going out” before shooting Jax a text.
Me: Yeah, I’m on my way. See you soon.
Then I realized I had no idea where I was supposed to go. I came to a complete stop, unsure if I should go out on a limb and ask Jax, making it clear thatmy girlfriendhadn’t told me where she was.
I hurried back up the stairs and knocked on Hunter’s door again.
“What?” came his muffled response.
I pushed the door open a crack. It was pitch black, except for the glow of the huge screen on his desktop.
“Any idea where the other guys are tonight?”
Silence was follwed by a dark snicker. “Almost thought you’d blow it.”
I rolled my eyes.This fucking guy.
“So?” I shifted from one foot to the other.
“I’ll text you the address. You’d better hurry.”
“What the hell do you think I’m doing, bro?”
He snickered, and I turned on my heel. By the time I got in my truck, he had already texted me the address. Someday, I’d find out how he always knew everything.
Time for my first party, I guess.
***
It was a fucking madhouse.
I’d only taken five steps into the house and was already overstimulated. There were way too many people around me, and if I didn’t have a damn good reason to fight my way through this jungle, I probably would have turned right back around.
Luckily, I spotted Asher and Knox as soon as I walked in; even here, athletes stood out.
I lumbered over to them, sore as hell.
“Gotta say, never thought I’d see this happen.” Asher tapped Knox on the shoulder and pointed at me as I approached them.
“Michaels, dude, what’s up?” Knox whooped.
Asher had a sly smirk on his face. “Had a feeling you’d show up today.”
I shrugged, trying to act casual. “My girl’s here. Where she goes, I go.”
“Fucking A, brother.” Knox punched me in the shoulder.
“Smart man. Still something I never thought I’d see.” Asher chuckled.
Jax popped up next to us and greeted me exuberantly.
Kind of nice.
“Your girl’s over there. What took you so long? She’s been here a hot shminute.” Jax pointed over hisshoulder with his thumb. Being a few inches taller than him, it wasn’t hard to spot Hailey. Even though she was tiny, there seemed to be this special energy about her that drew me in. Moth to a flame.
“Had some shit to take care of,” I grunted noncommittally as I scanned her immediate surroundings. Ella was standing right next to her, and a couple of frat boys were hanging around too close for my liking.
