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But as I stand here, watching her from across the room, the sensations overwhelm me.

It’s the ache of missing something I told myself I didn’t miss. It’s the sting to my heart each time she looks right through me. It’s the reminder she once knew me better than anyone yet now pretends I’m a stranger. It’s the pain of missed opportunities.

Head thrown back, she laughs. When she straightens again and her eyes settle on me, her smile slips away. A pit opens in my stomach, the discomfort making me shift my weight from one leg to the other. She blinks, her expression going blank, and pins her attention on Asher.

With a deep breath, I force myself to look away from her and push off the wall. If she’s going to act like I’m nothing, then I will too. It’s time to find the guys and forget I even know her.

The night blurs, a cacophony of sounds, thumping music and loud voices. The drinks are flowing while students dance and talk and laugh. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. I snagged a second beer from the kitchen not too long ago and have been sipping on it slowly. I don’t want to get drunk. I don’t want to show up to practice tomorrow morning with a raging headache.

Most of my teammates are doing the same. Several of us lounge on couches in the living room, talking and joking. Asher joined us not long after I found the guys. Amanda, his favorite hookup, apparently, is perched on his lap. She has brown hair and brown eyes, and a flirty smile lights up her features. Her friend Leah is to my left, her leg pressed against mine. She’s pretty and nice from what I can tell, but the chances we’ll be making out tonight are less than zero. I’ve never been good at wanting someone just because they want me. My body doesn’t work that way. My head definitely doesn’t.

A girl with red curls launches herself onto Diego’s lap and immediately slides off. Thanks to his goalie reflexes, he catches her before she falls to the floor. Uncontrollable giggles rack her as he steadies her and shifts her to the couch beside him.

“Why such long faces?” she slurs, peering around at each of us. “Please tell me you didn’t come to this party only to brood?”

“What are you talking about? We’re having fun.” Diego shrugs as he lifts his cup.

“No, you’re not.” She slaps his shoulder, making the poor guy choke on his drink. “But I know how to fix the problem.”

Another girl appears and wraps her arms around the redhead’s shoulders. “Alana, leave the guys alone.”

“Why would I do that?” the redhead, Alana, says. “We’re gonna play Seven Minutes in Heaven.” She looks around, her eyes glistening, her pupils blown. “Anyone who opts out is a coward.”

“We’re not fourteen,” I grumble.

Amanda ruffles my hair. “Stop being a spoilsport, Thompson. Do you know how many girls would love to play this game if they knew you were involved?” Her attention shifts to her friend on the other side of me. “Leah, you’re playing, right?”

The living room is packed, people crowding around the couch—mostly girls, but some guys too.

Fuck this. I never agreed to play this stupid game. I’m pushing up from the couch, ready to get the hell out of here, when a flash of pink stops me. I whip my head up and find myself staring into a familiar set of blue eyes.

Isla.

I haven’t seen her since Ash approached her when she walked in, and now, she’s here, about to play? Yeah, there’s no way I’m leaving now. Despite my best efforts, she makes me feel off-kilter. Better bet I want to do the same to her.

Alana goes first. Not only are several guys from my team here, but a few football and basketball players have joined us. One after another, people spin an empty bottle, and then they and their partner disappear into a nearby closet. Each time, they come out with swollen lips and wrecked hair and are met with giggles and applause.

While it’s fun to watch, I have zero interest in participating. I’ve already declined spinning the bottle myself, and I said no twice when it landed on me. I don’t react when Ash calls me a coward. He can say whatever he wants. I learned my lesson long ago, and I don’t plan on kissing anyone I don’t want to kiss.

As I pull out my phone and check the time, the blue-haired girl pushes the bottle into Isla’s hand. “Your turn.”

I swear, every eye in the room is on her. She’s been a hot topic around campus lately. Everyone knows she’s an Olympic figure skater, and more than a few people are curious about her.

She hesitates, her puffy lips twisting and a small wrinkle forming between her brows as she scrutinizes the bottle.

“Come on, Isla. It’s just a silly game,” Diego calls out to her.

She looks up at him, her expression unsure.

My heart pounds. Since fucking when is my teammate on a first-name basis with her?

“I’ll buy you an iced latte if you do it.” He grins at her.

She snorts, her cheeks going a little pink. “Nice try, bribing me with coffee.”

“Right. As if you could survive a day without your favorite⁠—”

“Flores, shut up,” I bark.