“Just trying to respect your boundaries,” he begins. “I’m meeting some friends for a drink. Do you wanna come?”
“I’m okay,” I respond. “I think tonight will be an early one for me.”
“Are you sure? I can give you a lift there and home. Or is that too relationshipy?”
“It would’ve been okay if we didn’t see each other afterward.” I smile. “But really, I’m exhausted.”
“I was that good, huh?”
I toss a pillow at him and roll my eyes.
“I’ll see you around, yeah?”
“See you around.”
I don’t even bother getting out of bed; I just sit there until I hear the front door close, then drag myself to the shower.
I stand under the hot water, letting it run over my body, and finally give into something I’ve been fighting for weeks.
I think it’s time I take Zeke up on his offer.
fifteen
Zeke
Since when are you throwing a Halloween party?” Marcus looks at me as I flop down on his couch.
“Since little Sanderson sat all of us down in the living room and told us we were throwing one.”
“Baby Sanderson has your whole house by their balls.” He laughs. “You guys always do what she tells you to?”
“Laugh all you want, but Brinley’s scary,” I reply. “When she wants something, she knows how to get it. Plus, I don’t think this whole party’s her idea. I think Declan wants to have the party but doesn’t want us to know he wants to have the party.”
“Sanderson wants to throw a party?” he scoffs. “Now I know you’re pulling my leg.”
“I wish I were kidding,” I continue. “And get this, Declan’s throwing the party for agirl.”
“Holy shit, Declan Sanderson’s turning a new leaf?” He stares at me with a smile full of amusement. “Never thought I’d see the day where Declan Sanderson cared more about a girl than hockey.”
“I don’t know if he’s there yet, but definitely close.”
“Is it still the project girl?”
“Ember,” I say, even though I know I’ve already told him her name. “After they almost kissed,” I pause and point a finger at him, “don’t tell anyone I told you about that. But things have been kind of off between them since. She barely comes over to playNHL 17anymore. I think he’s having this party to try and fix it.”
“It sounds like you miss this Ember just as much as he does.”
“She’s like a little sister. Like Brin, you know? I’ve known her most of my life but never really knew her. I wish I had taken the time to get to know her back then.”
“Is this one of those situations where someone says that a girl is like a sister to them, but really they’re harvesting deep romantic feelings?” he asks. “Like how Jaxon’s lying to himself about how he feels toward Brinley.”
“I don’t know if he’s lying to himself,” I argue. “Or just oblivious. And no, it’s not one of those situations. I think you’d like Ember, too. She’d probably think you’re cool, and not many people do, so—”
“I don’t know why I’m friends with you.” He drinks his beer. “You’re an ass.”
“But I’m an awesome ass.”
“You’re an egotistical ass.”