Page 13

Grant

My mind is racing with questions and instant regret about not correcting Brooke about flirting with other girls tonight.

I wasn’t just going to flirt with other girls to hook up after she left, but I was too confused with the moment we just had.

I knew I was into her, but I thought it was just an attraction.

I could just get over the friendship, but it looks like there might be something more there, and she might feel it too.

“There he is,” I hear Adam boom from behind me, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Told you he didn’t leave.”

I'm back out on the deck, leaning against the railing with my beer. I’m not in the mood to keep partying, so I moved out here to be alone when Brooke left. Sighing, I chug the last of my beer before turning around. Adam and Bear move toward me with a few guys from the team and girls in tow.

One girl starts talking to me, and I play the game for a bit, but my brain keeps drifting back to flirting with Brooke.

It’s not the same and I know I’m not interested in her, but I am interested in the bottle of whisky Bear has been carrying around, and it’s getting me drunk enough to give a shit maybe not about earlier.

I reach out a hand for it again, and when he gives it to me, I take a deep pull, ignoring whatever Adam is saying to the group of us.

“You good?” Bear asks me, motioning to take it back, obviously sensing something is up.

“Yeah, just kind of over it.” I shrug, moving the bottle away and swaying slightly, I try to take another drink before Adam grabs it and gives me a look.

“Hey, rookies! Call a sober ride and escort your captain home,” he orders out to them, and they immediately listen like little minions.

“I’m good,” I growl, reaching to grab the bottle.

“You will be once you head home.” Adam throws an arm around me, moving us to the front of the house. “You’ll be pissed tomorrow if you embarrass yourself in front of the team, so go home.”

I know he’s right, but I’m not going to admit it. I push him off and stumble towards the front lawn to wait for the ride and wave the rookies off when it arrives, and I throw myself in.

The other door opens, and I turn towards it. The girl I had been talking to earlier pokes her head in. “Room for one more?” She smiles, trying to be seductive, even in my drunken state, I know I’m not into it.

“Nah, not tonight.” I know I sound like an asshole as her face drop and she slams the door, I just want to get home to bed, so I tell the driver my address and lean back, closing my eyes.

My head is swimming, and not only because of too much to drink, but because of Brooke.