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“Okay,” I parrot.
I pull my attention to the front when the professor starts talking down below.
CHAPTER EIGHT
SAM
OCTOBER
SOPHOMORE YEAR OF COLLEGE
I lean back against the brick facade, where I’m hiding in a dark corner outside of the house. My phone dangles from my hand. I can hear the music through the windows, though, thankfully, it’s muted. The light spills over into the grass and onto the privacy fence, but I’m hidden in the shadows.
I just got off the phone with my parents. Finally, we were able to celebrate some good news. My mom’s tumor shrank enough over the summer to be removed on the first of August. I was back from camp and was able to be there before hockey ramped up for preseason practices. She was weak, but everything went well, according to her surgeon. She’s continued radiation treatments, but her last scan was good. Really good. It looks like the cancer hasn’t spread into her lymphatic system, so they can stop her treatments soon. I heard the quiver in her voice when she told me, and I could visualize the tears I knew were flowing down her face. My dad was too emotional to speak. And I was able to share some good news of my own.
I take a few fortifying breaths and pocket my phone, ready to face the masses. I slipped outside as soon as I arrived at the party, needing a moment alone to speak with my mom when she called. I knew she had her oncologist appointment today, and I didn’t want to have an audience if the news was bad. Now, I can relax and let loose tonight.
The smile on my face is genuine as I round the corner and climb the stairs toward the front door. The porch is already packed with people, and several familiar faces call out my name. When I walk inside, the entire place erupts. Word must’ve spread quickly. Mike and I drove here together, and he’s standing in the middle of the room with his arms in the air.
“There he is!” my friend shouts. “The man of the hour!”
I chuckle, but say nothing as I wait to see what he’ll say next.
Mike glances around with a smirk. “Ladies, this is your last chance. My man, Sam, is officially headed to California tomorrow afternoon. If you want a piece of him, this is it! Let the games begin!”
My teammates, who are at the party, swarm me, yelling and jostling against me in the center of the circle. I feel like we’re in the middle of a mosh pit, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m jumping and shouting just as loudly as them as the adrenaline courses through my veins.
I got a call this week. Anaheim wants me, and they want me now. I don’t know if I impressed them during our first few games or if they’re just desperate for fresh feet. Either way, I can’t wait to get there. Especially now that I know my mom is on the mend. I don’t even care that the team is struggling on the ice and projected to be the worst in the league this year. I’m just arrogant enough to think that I could be the one to turn it all around.
McMann shoves a shot glass into my hand. “Drink up, rookie!”
The glass clinks when we knock them together, and the amber alcohol burns as it travels down my throat. Someone else shoves a beer into my hand.
“Seattle is looking at me,” McMann confesses. “Maybe we’ll be playing in the same conference next year.”
“I hope so, man,” I say. And I do. “The only thing that would be better is if we were on the same team.”
Charlie is a beast in the net. We started calling him The Wall the past few months because nothing gets past him. He glances over my shoulder at someone and smirks.
Arms snake around my waist as someone turns up the music. “I don’t want you to go.” The blonde bombshell pouts while leaning around me.
I’ve seen her around, but I don’t know her name.
“Is that right?” I ask.
She looks ready and willing, and her tits feel nice, pressed against my back.
“We haven’t had a chance to … get to know each other yet,” she adds while watching me beneath long, coal-colored lashes.
“There’s always tonight,” I suggest.
“Anderson! Get your ass over here!” Mike yells.
I slide my hand along her forearm, which is still around my waist, and give it a squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”
“Promise?” she purrs, dragging her nails along my lower abs as she releases her hold.
“Promise.” I wink. I have every intention of ending the night with her.
