Page 22 of Golden Goal

I play along, still grinning. "Yeah, I can get you a ticket. Only one?"

Liam surprises me with his response. "Two."

I do a double-take. "Two?"

He nods, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "I'm finally going to ask that guy in my applied physics class if he wants to go out."

"Nice, man. I'll make sure to get you guys some good seats. He'll think you're super impressive."

Liam seems genuinely touched. "Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. What else are friends for?"

Ronan interjects, "Would you get me a ticket to impress a girl?"

I give Ronan a playful eye-roll. "You're on the team, jackass."

But he's not letting up. "It doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts," he grumbles.

I deadpan, "Then, no. I would never subject an innocent girl to having to spend an entire evening with you."

Ronan looks at me as if I've just kicked his puppy, except he's the puppy. "That cut deep."

I shrug, unapologetic. "You'll survive."

Just then, Marshall appears in the doorway. "You guys were all hanging out and didn't invite me?" He doesn't wait for a response, bounding over to the bed, climbing up, and sitting next to Liam.

As much as I love my friends, I can't help but wish they'd get out of my room. A foreboding feeling gnaws at me, as if the steady routine and peace I've enjoyed in my life is about to vanish.

CHAPTERTWELVE

SUTTON

I spin aroundin front of the mirror, adjusting my top to ensure it doesn't slip off my shoulders. My hand is trembling like a leaf in the wind, making it challenging to focus on anything other than my unsteady limbs.

I'd dare to say that I look pretty good right now. I'm dressed in a mini skirt with tights and a cute pink top. My long, naturally curly hair is left down, and the slightly wild curls seem to complement the vibe.

Leia's voice breaks into my thoughts, "Hey, are you ready or what?"

God, Leia is practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. She looks stunning, though, dressed in a skin-tight black crop top and an even tighter black mini skirt. Her figure is nothing short of incredible, and she's bound to turn heads tonight.

I take a deep breath and respond, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Honestly, this might not be the best idea. The prospect of a house full of strangers feels like a nightmare. I have to keep repeating to myself that it's a new me, or at least a slight variation of the old me. After all, it's the thought that counts

My only wish for tonight is not to be embarrassed. That's literally all I'm asking for.

The emotions swirling within me transport me back to high school. I used to hang out with groups of people who knew me and understood the kind of person I was. There was no pressure or negativity because everyone took my feelings into account. That's the advantage of growing up in a small town. People knew my brother would stand up for me, and the mere thought of him protecting me was often enough to deter any rude comments.

Elliott is an intimidating guy.

I've chosen not to drink tonight and opted to be the designated driver. The ride to the party is relatively short, about ten minutes, and I'm feeling like a questionable driver. When we pull up to the curb in front of the house, I release a relieved breath.

Taking a good look at my surroundings, I observe the hockey house before me. It's small but rather cute – far too cute for hockey guys to be living there and throwing parties. I glance across the street and spot Lincoln's house, which always seems spotless despite housing four guys. I know I'm about to enter a typical frat house, and it disappoints me that I can't just cross the street and spend my night there instead.

I need to shift my train of thought away from Lincoln and his house, and from the fact that I'm about to see him in approximately ten minutes.

Ronan mentioned that Lincoln wanted to invite me out tonight, but I have my doubts. After all, he hasn't used my number in over a week. I feel like it was all a joke, and I hate this feeling of embarrassment that's creeping in.

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