Page 21 of Ski You Later
I get Aurora’s attention, pointing to myself and then the bar behind me, and she gives two thumbs up in return. Making my way off the dance floor, the feeling of lightness returns to me as I wiggle through a crowd of friendly faces.
The various sports teams smile as I walk by, even some athletes I’ve talked with before giving me a wave. Frustration fills me as another group of people passes me, and I realize that I’ve been looking for Roman this whole time.
The wall he was previously at stands vacant, and a sour feeling fills my stomach when I think he could be on the dance floor. Maybe another girl asked him to dance, and he obliged her. I start to gnaw at my nail but force myself to brush off the feeling.
Roman and I aren’t even anything. We’re barely even friends, and I have no justification to feel this way.
A spot at the bar frees up, and I quickly fill the open position. Two shots of tequila later, my brain is murky, and I’m ready to get back to the dancing. Pushing myself away, I do another once over of the space, hoping I had just missed Roman the first time. The entire floorseems Roman-free as I focus on my path and walk straight into this guy’s back.
As an apology immediately bubbles from my throat, but the odor of the man causes my blood to go cold. The smell of cheap cologne drowns me as Daniel turns around.
The anger on his face quickly disappears as he sees me, and a slimy smile takes over his features.
“Whoa, Rhodes. How much have you had to drink tonight, babe?” I feel hands on my back, and before I understand what’s happening, he’s pulling me in for a hug.
This is torture. Having his touch on me while I have to continue to inhale him. Mixing this interaction with my two tequila shots causes my brain to swim.
Panic and claustrophobia overtake me as I plant my hands on his chest and push. I can’t seem to get even an inch away as he peers down at me and laughs. “Hey, hey. Calm down. We’re basically family, Rhodes.”
His words only cause more emotions to flood me, indignations, denial, and fury all cloud my judgement as I fumble for what to do. All the time I spent trying to prepare myself for when this moment would come, seems to crumble at my feet. My mind doesnothing but spin as his disgusting form tries to get closer to me.
My breathing quickly turns into rapid pants before I can control it, and I find myself falling into a full-blown panic attack.
“What the hell is wrong with you –.” Daniel’s words are cut off abruptly. The sticky heat of his body finally leaving me and being replaced by cool air kissing my skin.
There’s some yelling that’s undecipherable over the music, but I just put my head in my hands and attempt to orient myself. I need to get a grip right now, the drinks in my system are turning against me as I feel myself start to sway.
Gentle hands grip me under my elbows, steadying me and slowly guiding me away from the busy crowd. I immediately know it’s Roman, his strong hands showing a reverence I would’ve never associated with the team captain.
He tucks his arm around me and seems to relax as I push myself closer to him. Filling my nose with the clean laundry smell that always sticks to his person.
He starts to walk, and I blindly follow. The fear that Daniel will follow us prevents me from even registering our movements.
The noise decreases as the crowds become easier to maneuver through, and I realize he’s walking toward the washrooms.
The distinct noise of girls shrieking fills my ears, but Roman pays them no head as he leads me into a stall. Putting the lid on the toilet, I have no shame as I sit down and put my head in my hands.
He shuts the bathroom door behind him, and I notice he doesn’t lock it as he crouches down so we’re at eye level. His finger is crooked as it lightly rests under my chin, applying light pressure as he tilts my head up to look at him.
There’s a quiet moment that passes between us, the silence stretching as we both continue to watch the other.
“What happened, Langley,” he whispers. The night’s events flooding back to me as I let his words register.
The alcohol in my body does nothing to suppress the wobble that forms in my lip, the water in my eyes coming quickly after.
The tears start to fall at the same time I watch Roman’s face crumple. His usual disdain is nowhere to be seen as his expression turns to one of sorrow.
“No. Don’t cry, beautiful,” he says softly. Placing his hand on the side of my face as the tears silently stream down. Roman’s thumb swipes away the moisture and helps soothe me.
After a couple minutes of holding me, I start to feel better. I fully blame the drinks for my little episode, and I quickly sniff as I sit up straighter. Guilt fills me to the brim, he didn’t want to come out, let alone spend his night with a crying girl.
“Roman. I’m so sorry,” I half laugh and half sob. My dehydration becoming apparent as my head starts to spin.
“It’s okay,” his voice soft as he rubs my face. “If it makes you feel better, I had a great time. Team bonding went better than I could have hoped.” His tone is light, but the sarcasm is laced in every word. “I think I’m ready to call these guys my new brothers,” he states with a serious expression.
I peer up at him, my spinning head making all of this worse. “You are kind of an ass,” I deadpan. The time for niceties is far behind me, and I put my splitting head against the cool bathroom stall.
“Don’t I know it, Langley,” his tone chipper.
