Page 32 of Second Chance Player

“What is it?” Skylar asks with her nose scrunched. It’s got a strange color to it.

“My special recipe.” Jasper laughs. He’s already half drunk.

“You better not drink anymore,” I advise. “We don’t want you getting thrown out of prom.”

“Dude, I can hold my liquor,” he assures, downing the rest of the cup.

Our friend Lauren fills a cup and passes it to Skylar and then she fills one for me too. Skylar and I clink our plastic cups together.

“To an unforgettable prom night,” Skylar toasts, and our friends cheer.

By the time we get to the venue, my nerves have eased. Everyone is happy as the six of us head over to the dance floor. We dance the night away, and on occasion, we head outside for more alcohol to drink.

When I ask Jasper for a refill of what I now know is a mix of vodka, cranberry juice, and fresh lemons, he says, “You’ve probably had enough, bro.”

His words make me realize that maybe I’ve had more than everyone else or maybe I just can’t handle my liquor as well.

“I’ll have his share,” Carter offers since he was standing right next to us talking to a girl who was vaping.

He doesn’t vape himself because he’s also headed to a Division 1 team. I really can’t stand the guy. He’s always had it out for me.

Jasper passes him my drink. Carter tilts the cup toward me, then drinks it down. “Thanks,” he says.

“Why did you do that?” I ask Jasper. That was so not cool. If a person would have a nemesis, mine is Carter Lewis. We were in grade school together. He played hockey just like me, but it was always a competition with him. He always had to prove he was better. The problem was he was an asshole. He would be too aggressive on the ice and get into fights. His father was a mechanic in town, and the only reason he went to our school was because he lived in the loft above his father’s mechanic shop. He always had a chip on his shoulder, but something about me pissed him off royally.

“Because you’ve had too much,” Skylar answers for Jasper.

“You told him to cut me off?” I look at Skylar, feeling deceived.

“I don’t want you getting kicked out.” She points back at the venue.

Carter chooses that moment to step forward. “You look beautiful,” he says to Skylar. The two of them are friends. They have some comradery between them I don’t understand. I always warn her he isn’t a good guy, but she must see something I’m missing.

“Thanks, Carter. You getting ready for Brown?” she asks him. I’d been so busy I didn’t think to ask the ass which team recruited him. Now he’ll be at school with Skylar while I’m too busy to be near her.

I want to tell him to fuck off.

“Come, let’s go dance,” I say instead, taking her hand. She agrees willingly, and she even grants me one of her smiles. The kind of smile that melts your heart.

“See you around,” she says to Carter.

“Definitely,” he mumbles loud enough for us to hear, even though we’ve walked away.

When we get back into the venue, my mood is shit. It’s a slow song so I gather Skylar in my arms, and we dance. The prom theme is Winter Wonderland, so lots of Christmas lights, fake trees, and snow decorate the place. Don’t know who chose that theme, considering we live in Boston, and winters are harsh, but what do I know.

“Why are you so quiet?” Skylar asks me.

“I don’t have a whole lot to say.”

“We’re still going to the hotel after here, right?” she asks. She looks so hopeful and perfect. She’s overcome so much, and she’s thriving. Headed to an Ivy League school on full scholarship. She’s amazing, and I’m a mess. I’m just bringing her down. Things will only get worse when I get to Westfall. I’ll have no time for her. She’s been waiting for me to take her virginity, and suddenly, I don’t feel like I deserve it.

“Liam.” Her smile falls.

“I. . .” I pull away from her.

“Liam, don’t do this,” she pleads like she knows exactly what I am going to do. Was it that obvious I would let her down?

“I don’t deserve you,” I say, feeling the bitter taste of the words in my soul.

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