Dipping my hands into the box, I pull out its contents—a Titans hockey jersey.
Brin squeals excitedly, holding up her matching one.Allaliis printed on the back and when I flip mine over,Allenis staring back at me in big white letters.“Thanks, Nate!”
“I was told this is all it takes to make you two listen to me. Welcome to the team.”
The poor rookie on door duty at Robbie’s party obviously reported Sabrina’s message.
“Put them on,” Ryan says from behind the camera. “I can’t believe I’m in bed with two hockey stars, I feel so lucky.”
“Could have made it three if you’d given me the heads-up,” JJ says with a snort.
“Shut up, dipshit, that’s my girl you’re talking about.”
Brin winks at me right before pulling the jersey over her head.We have both read enough romance novels and watched enough bad romance movies to know we love ashe’s minetype of man. “I love it.”
“We gotta go to practice. I’ll speak to you later, yeah?”
“Sure, bye.”
“Bye, guys,” Ryan and I add.
Just before Ryan disconnects the call, we hear Henry. “Is that Anastasia? I thought she was avoiding you, Nathan.”
I manage to not react to Henry’s words, other than one long, loud internal scream, but it doesn’t stop two pairs of eyes burning into me. It was funny when Sabrina and Ryan both started intensely staring at me, but now, minutes later, it’s a little sinister.
“What aren’t you telling me?” Brin says in her most serious voice.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegasis supposed to be a real thing. I know technically it was a Vegas party in Maple Hills, but the rules should still apply. I should be allowed to be a little irresponsible and a little slutty, and not have to share with my friends. Unfortunately for me, the secret keepers of Vegas haven’t met Sabrina. “Tell us or I’m calling him back to ask.”
I sink into the bed, pulling the duvet up over my head so I don’t have to look at anyone.
“Hewentdownonmeatrobbie’sbirthdaypartyandIranoff.”
“Huh?” they both say in unison.
I huff and cling on as Ryan tries to tug the duvet back down. He’s stronger than me, so I eventually give up. “He went down on me at Robbie’s birthday party, blah blah blah.” I ignore their gasps, Sabrina’s genuine and Ryan’s pretend one to play along with her dramatics. “It was an accident, a moment of weakness, and I’ve been avoiding him.”
“You are not going toblah blah blahme. It’s been almost a week!” she screeches, arms flailing around dramatically. She turns her attention to Ryan. “Did you know about this?”
“No, I was on a date with Liv on Saturday, so I couldn’t make the party,” he says, completely missing the way her face twists when he mentions Olivia. “I’m interested to know how people accidentally have oral sex though, Stas. Share with the group.”
“You’re a dick.” I groan, hitting him in the chest with a pillow. “I was using his bathroom. He was trying to get me to admit I wanted to be friends, asked if he needed to get on his knees and beg.”
“Classic,” Brin says, rolling her eyes.
“Said I was only pretending to hate him.”
“Yeah, this sounds like the start of any good hookup,” she says sarcastically, scrunching her nose up with annoyance. “Get to the good bit.”
“Well, when he asked if he needed to get on his knees, I was honest. I said the only time I want to see a man on his knees is if his head is between my legs.”
Sabrina can’t breathe, she’s laughing so hard, and Ryan is nearly as bad. I’m surprised Aaron hasn’t shown up because that would beperfect.
“You guys are annoying,” I mutter, hitting them both again with a pillow. “Anyway, he took it as an invitation. Said ask me nicely, and was all ‘I don’t joke about consent, Anastasia,’ super sexy and brooding and yeah, practically ruined my vocal cords screaming.”
“Took it as an invitation?” Ryan repeats back, jaw slack. “Stas, you practically told him you wanted to ride his face.”
“I did not!” I definitely did not. I was simply making a point that I don’t see anything good in a man begging at my feet. I’m not sure how it became so misconstrued in conversation.