Page 6

Crew

I busted through the door, slamming it shut behind me. Matt’s head snapped over to look at me, a smug smile coming over his face.

He sank back against the couch. “Back already?”

“Shut up, Gallagher,” I shot at him, plopping down on the opposite side of the couch.

He looked offended yet amused, one corner of his mouth ticking upwards. “Damn, what’s got your panties in a twist?”

My jaw tightened, eyes remaining forward. All I could do was shake my head. It was as if saying the words aloud would only solidify that this entire situation was real. But even more so, I knew Matt would get a kick out of the whole thing, and I wasn’t ready for all the “It’s your fault for moving out” bullshit.

“Alright then,” he said.

It fell silent between us for a moment other than the sound of the TV until I finally decided to spit it out.

“It’s the fucking girls.”

“What girls?” Matt sat forward, intrigued, before his face twisted with hilarity. “Are more girls making up rumors about you?”

“No,” I shot at him sharply.

“You sure?” he smirked, laughing through his words. “Cause I remember how angry you got when rumor went around that you only got onto the team because you were having a secret love affair with Coach.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m not mad about a rumor.”

Unless the whole “small dick” comment that Kota shot at me was actually a rumor. In that case, I’d be a bit ticked off, but we had bigger problems at the moment.

“Then what the hell are you crying about?” Matt said.

“First of all, I’m not crying.”

“Well, you look like you’re about to.”

“I don’t cry,” I hissed through gritted teeth.

“Stop avoiding the subject.”

My voice raised, “Fine! You wanna know what the damn problem is? Lane and I are stuck living with two fucking girls!”

His eyes narrowed to slits, studying me with utter confusion. “What?”

“Remember when Lane spilled his drink on that girl last weekend?”

“Yeah...”

I turned towards him, talking with my hands. “Yeah, well, apparently the leasing office fucked up hardcore and gave us a four-bedroom apartment, and now we’re stuck living with her and the other girl she was with. Imagine that.”

It sounded even crazier saying it aloud. I’d been hoping that this whole day was some deranged, unbelievable nightmare. And as I had been driving over to the hockey house, the only thing going through my head was, Wake up, Crew. This is just some fucked up dream.

Yet here I was now. Still stuck in whatever cruel hallucination I’d been placed in.

Matt eyed me in silence for a moment before letting out a howl of laughter so loud that it made TJ stroll into the room with curiosity.

“What’s so funny?”

Matt’s face was turning red, unable to catch his own breath through the laughter. I sat there like a statue, jaw ticking while I had visions of reaching forward and wrapping my hands around his neck.

“That girl...” Matt spoke between spurs of laughter, “hated... your guts.”

“I fucking know,” I said. “She’s pure evil in walking form.” More laughter. “Can you stop fucking laughing?”

He shook his head frantically. “This is... too funny!”

“I’m so confused,” TJ said. No shocker there. TJ was always confused.

Matt waved him off, physically unable to explain. He was laughing so hard that he bent forward, falling off the couch and onto the floor.

“Matt,” I seethed, “if you don’t stop laughing, I swear to God.”

It took a few more minutes before his laughter finally toned down, becoming bearable enough for him to speak. He motioned to me, “Idiot One and Idiot Two are living with chicks.”

TJ gave a proud smile, holding his fist out for me to bump. “Nice, man!”

That sent Matt into another laughing frenzy.

I looked at TJ as if he just said two plus two was five. “No! Not nice!”

He dropped his fist, his smile falling with it. “Why not? I’d be stoked to be living with two pairs of tits.”

“I mean,” Matt spoke, holding his stomach, which I could only assume was hurting after laughing so damn hard, “it doesn’t sound like it’d be that bad. Easy hookup access.”

“Are you fucking crazy? Kota would probably fuck an animal before she fucked me.”

“That’s called bestiality, bro,” TJ said.

“Isn’t that shit like, illegal?” Matt laughed.

“It was just a fucking example!” I shouted.

Matt took a few steps down the adjacent hall. “Yo!” he shouted. “Cody, Jett, get your asses in here now!”

I rolled my eyes. Fucking great. Here comes the teasing.

I should’ve known better than to come here to rant about the problem at hand, but then again, it was still better than being stuck in that apartment with Kota and Bridget right now.

Speaking of which, where the hell was Lane?

Jett and Cody sauntered in, both looking slightly confused but pleased to see me.

“Long time, no see,” Cody teased.

“Missed us already?” Jett said.

I didn’t even have the chance to respond before Matt beat me to it, chuckling through his words. “Nah, he just came over to escape the panty party.”

He thought he was so fucking clever, didn’t he? My teeth gritted together as I took a shallow breath. “Nobody said anything about panty parties.”

“I wanna go to a panty party,” TJ sulked.

Cody scoffed, butting in. “Yeah, where the hell was my invite?”

I tipped my head at TJ, my glare filled with frustration. “You know, if you’re so happy by the thought of being stuck with the she-devil and her little sidekick, why don’t you switch living arrangements with me?”

He casually leaned back into his seat and crossed his arms over his chest, not looking affected in the slightest. “No, thanks. I’m much more amused by your reaction than I would be to be under the same roof as chicks every day.” He let out a snort. “Hell, I’m under the same roof as chicks every day already.”

My spine was splitting with resentment and jealousy. Frowning, I took in all the guys, seeing how relaxed and nonchalant they were, whereas I was currently overthrown by every negative emotion in the book.

If I had a time machine, I’d go back and force Lane to stay here with me.

When we agreed to move out, I already knew I’d be losing a lot. Our casual hangouts in the living room. Last minute group outings. Random girls in and out all the time. Carpooling to practice together.

And now, in addition to all that, I was losing my fucking sanity too.

“Can someone please explain what we’re talking about?” Jett insisted with his arms out.

I shot Matt a glare, knowing he’d be more than happy to explain for me. He took the opportunity without a second thought.

“Crew and Lane got fucked real hard and—”

“Fucked real hard, eh?” Cody snidely interrupted with a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes while everyone else ignored him.

“Long story short, they’re stuck living with two girls that hate them,” Matt finished.

Jett leaned forward, smiling wide. “Two girls that hate you ? Damn, did you already hook up with them and never call them again?”

Eyes narrowing to slits, I responded, “I haven’t hooked up with either of them actually. Thank you.”

“Impressive,” TJ said.

“Is that why you’re mad?” Cody joked through a laugh.

I shot up, finally having had enough. “Can you guys please stop joking around? I’m fucking pissed. Lane doesn’t seem to care, and—”

“Of course not,” Jett said, shrugging. “It’s Lane. Nothing bothers him.”

With a light snort, Cody added, “Except last weekend when he almost cried after pouring his beer on that girl.”

Matt’s laughter echoed throughout the room again. At this point, the sound of his laughter was enough to make me wish I was deaf.

“That’s the best part!” he shouted with enthusiasm. “They’re living with that same girl!”

There was only one brief moment of silence before the entire room was filled with laughter and knee slaps.

Just fucking kill me now.

“The bottom line is—” I stopped, knowing they couldn’t hear me. When I spoke again, I was practically shouting. “The bottom line is that I want to move back here!”

“Dude,” Cody said, “you know that’s like impossible. Keith and Jonah are moving in here tomorrow.”

“Well, tell them they can’t,” I said.

He eyed me like I was speaking a different language. “They signed a lease! We can’t just tell them they can’t.”

Letting out a stressful huff, I ran a hand over the light stubble on my jaw. “This is fucking stupid.”

A casual shrug was all Jett had to offer. “It’s your fault for moving out.”

And there it was.

I was on the brink of exploding. I could physically feel my blood heating as it coursed through my veins, its speed accelerating.

“So, what? I’m just supposed to deal with it?” I blurted out.

Everyone responded at the same time; I couldn’t even make out who was saying what.

“Yep.”

“Pretty much.”

“Sorry, dude.”

“This is just...” I trailed off, shaking my head at the floor.

Jett placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “If it makes you feel better, you’re welcome to come over any time.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled, “I was fucking planning on it.”