Page 39

CHAPTER 39

Eliza

I t’s New Year’s Eve, and we’re all at Matt and Zoey’s this year. Apparently, Zoey begged Liv to be able to host now that she had a space big enough, and Liv happily obliged. I love that they’re now family. They were always close before, but now with Matt and Zoey dating, and the fact that we all know she’ll be walking down the aisle in no time, it’s different.

They’re so happy, and so is Hannah. I’ve loved watching my friends fall in love and bringing Bailey into the fold when her and Caleb started dating. I’ve become an honorary aunt to Charlie, Cate, and even Jayden, something I never thought I’d get to experience as a kid. Being an only child to two very over-baring and controlling parents means I haven’t experienced a lot of what my friends have, and now that I’m creeping up on thirty, I want to break out of this box I’ve confined myself in.

Mac, the goalie for the guys’ team, stops at my side. Zoey wanted to fill this house with people to celebrate the new year, which means she invited the whole team and their significant others if they have them.

“And why are we hiding over here?” he asks, his British accent causing goosebumps to erupt across my skin. Something about this man has given a reaction ever since I first met him. He’s no model, but he’s conventionally attractive with strong features and dark-brown hair he keeps styled and out of his face, but I think it’s this air of mystery around him. No one knows much about him. Liv’s told me he’s a typical goalie, meaning he’s not typical at all. They all have their own eccentricities.

“Didn’t feel much for socializing,” I say, and he hums softly.

“Then why are you here?”

“My friends. How about you?”

“I have my reasons.”

I turn and face him, taking him in. He takes a piece of cubed cheese and puts it in his mouth before walking away, and I stare after him. The more I stare, the more I wonder, could Mac be the one to help me break this box I’ve put myself in?