AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jay remains quiet but looks at me while taking in my words.
“I’m sure you know how he feels. You were in his same position a few years ago,” I add.
He lets out a sigh. “I didn’t really think about it that way.”
I give him a half-smile, and he returns the same grin, seeming to understand where I’m coming from.
“You know I came over here fully expecting not to like you,” Jay says offhandedly, causing me to laugh.
“And?”
“I’m kind of a fan,” he says, laughing with me. “I’ll ease up on the whole NHL thing.”
“Thank you,” I tell him with sincerity.
“Cali, girl!” someone drunkenly slurs as they wrap their arm around my shoulder. Judging by the nickname, it’s Patrick.
“Patrick,” I tonelessly acknowledge as I remove his arm from my shoulder. He reeks of booze, and his bloodshot eyes have the same blank stare as they did the night I met him.
“Patty,” Jay flatly says to greet him.
Patrick doesn’t respond to Jay but instead takes a strand of my hair, twirling it between his fingers.
“Dance with me?” he asks.
“No,” I quickly state, turning my head so that he loses the strand of my hair.
He sighs before looking me up and down, keeping his eyes on my body. “You look so good tonight.”
“Fuck off, Patty,” Jay chimes in.
“I just want Cali to give me a chance. She never gave me a chance,” Patrick slurs, slightly leaning into me.
“I’m with Eli,” I quickly state.
“Golden boy, Maddison,” Patrick says before taking another sip of whatever is in his cup. “Always gets what he wants. What about what I want?” he whines, causing my skin to crawl. “I just want to dance with you.”
“You’ve always been such a creepy little bitch, Patrick,” Jay states.
“Fuck you, Jay. What are you even doing here?”
“Apparently making sure you don’t take advantage of any drunk girls tonight. I’ve heard the rumors.”
Jay’s words make me feel sick to my stomach as I remember the first time I was at this house with Patrick.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Convenient,” Jay adds. “So would you rather have me or Maddison kick your ass for hitting on his girl?”
Patrick chugs the rest of his drink while keeping his stare on Jay before dropping the cup at Jay’s feet and turning to walk away.
“Fucking hate that kid.” Jay shakes his head.
“What’s his deal with Eli?” I ask.
“He has some weird rivalry thing with him, but I don’t think Maddison is even aware. Patty is jealous of the attention Maddison gets for being the star forward. Patrick is a defenseman, and he’s pretty fucking good, but he will never get as much recognition as Maddison, and I think that gets under his skin. Plus, Patrick is just a shitty human, so he’s easy to dislike.”
“Looks like you’re in the clear,” Jay changes the subject, nodding towards Eli, who’s making his way over to us with his hands behind his back.
