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Lill y

“Fuck,” Callie sighs, swaying her hips to the song that’s currently playing. “Why did you let me drink sambuca?”

I scoff, lifting the orange solo cup to my lips to find it empty, making me pout. “I didn’t let you do anything, you’re the one who begged me to take those shots with you.”

She grumbles, but then a grin lights up her face as “thriller” by Michael Jackson blasts through the speakers. Grabbing my hand, she spins me around making me giggle before she starts using me like I’m a stripper’s pole…which is something she does quite regularly.

It hadn't taken much convincing to get her to come to the Halloween party the hockey house is throwing, and we've been dancing for what felt like hours. Nina disappeared somewhere with Hunter not long after we arrived, and we’ve yet to see them—which doesn’t surprise me, because when they’re around each other, it’s like everyone else in the world ceases to exist. And Payton is currently in the corner talking with a few people from her veterinary class, which l eft Callie and me to entertain ourselves.

“Caleb!” Callie suddenly grins as she glances behind me.

“Jesus, Cal,” the six-foot something football captain laughs as she wraps her arms around his shoulders. “How drunk are you?”

Although they won’t confirm it, I’m certain these two are dating…or at the very least, fucking. Callie’s always been adamant that she doesn’t date and never would. But deep down, I think she just hasn’t found the right person. And maybe Caleb is that person for her.

“Not drunk enough.” She winks…attempts to anyways, because it looks like she’s slowly blinking both her eyes at the same time in slow motion.

“Why don’t I believe you?” He raises a skeptical brow.

“Would I ever lie to you?” She leans forward, pressing her lips to his cheek, leaving a red lip stain there from her lipstick.

He shakes his head, rolling his eyes before glancing at me. “Hey, Lilly.” He smiles.

“Caleb.” I nod, smiling back.

“Is this your doing?” he asks, looking between Callie and me.

Scoffing, I shake my head and say. “Pfft, no.” at the same time Callie says. “Yes!”

Okay, I might’ve encouraged her to have the concoction I created earlier that was so fucking strong it had me feeling lightheaded after two sips, but the shots were her doing, and I wasn’t taking the blame for that.

“You mind if I steal her for a few?” He asks, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her from stumbling over.

“That’s fine,” I smile, lifting my empty cup. “I was just about to grab another anyway.”

“You’re the best.” Caleb smiles at me.

“I know.” I grin back.

He chuckles as he grabs hold of Callie’s hand and starts walking away. “Hey, can’t we just continue dancing?” She moans, resting her head against his shoulder.

“No.” He responds, making her groan.

She turns around, giving me a huge drunken smile. “I’ll find you after, okay?”

“Take your time.” I wave her off.

And then there was one.

Turning, I make my way toward the kitchen, thankful for the assortment of liquor lined up on the countertop. Picking up multiple bottles—one at a time—I pour generous amounts into my cup, mixing it with a sprinkle of soda and then take a sip, wincing as the burn cascades down my throat.

Fuck. It’s so strong, but it’s exactly what I need.

Downing more than half the liquid, I adjust the halo on my head and make my way out of the kitchen. My eyes dart around the room, looking for something to do while my friends are all occupied, and when I make eye contact with the beer pong table, I grin.

Weaving through the drunken witches who are currently dancing in a large circle, I make my way toward the table. But as I enter the room someone who sounds like they’re cooing a baby knocks into me, and then it’s a commotion.

I spill my drink down the front of my dress, a nasty green stain now residing there from my awful concoction. And then I slip on the liquid that spilt over the hardwood floor. Squeaking, I close my eyes and wait to smack the ground, but an arm wraps around my waist keeping me from falling.

Opening my eyes, I see blue staring back at me, and a soft smile paints my lips. “How did I somehow know it was going to be you?”

“Third times a charm.” Greyson grins at me, making sure I’m steady on my feet before releasing his arm from my waist.

“This time it was your fault.” I accuse, teasingly.

He chuckles. “Was it? Are you sure? Could’ve totally been your fault.”

He’s dressed as a pirate, with a plastic feathered parrot on his shoulder. Lifting my hand to touch the parrot, I laugh. “Who talks to a plastic parrot on their shoulder anyway?”

“I was making sure he was okay.” He pouts, patting the head.

“He’s plastic…” I blink at him.

“And? He probably still has feelings.”

I laugh, and the moment is broken when my name from the very last person I want to see is shouted across the room. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, praying he goes away. But I’m not that lucky, am I?

“Hey, Lilly.” He grins as he approaches us.

“What do you want, Kyle?” I sigh, folding my arms across my chest

I already checked, and I have his number blocked, so there's no way he has my location. So, is it a convivence that he seems to be everywhere I am nowadays? Or do I need to get a retraining order out against him?

“Can’t I come say hi to my girlfriend at a party?” He asks, trying to lean in to kiss me.

Pushing him away, I take a step backward. “One, not you r girlfriend.” I remind him.

“You need to stop this, Lilly,” he shakes his head, letting out an amused laugh. “All this saying you’re over me and dating this loser…” he points in Greyson’s direction with his thumb. “You’re just doing it to make me jealous, and guess what? It’s not working.”

Why would I ever attempt to make him jealous?

“For one, not a loser.” Greyson interjects.

Kyle scoffs, looking at him from head to toe. “Hmm, definitely a loser.”

“And two, we are dating.”

I blink, my head turning in Greyson’s direction quicker than the speed of lightening. Did he just…did I hear that correctly?

“Yeah, right,” Kyle’s laugh reverberates around the room. “Lilly would never date a hockey player.”

Incorrect.

“Why would I lie about dating her?” Greyson chuckles as he looks in my direction, his eyes gazing into mine, that are no doubt wider than the ocean. “You look at a girl as beautiful as her,” my mouth gapes open, and my cheeks flush. “Why wouldn’t you want to let the world know she’s your girl?”

Okay, I heard him correctly. But how is he now the one lying to Kyle about dating when he was the one pissed I blurted it out in the first place?

Men .

Kyle scoffs, taking a step closer to Greyson. And I don’t think as I sidestep and stand in between them, my back facing Greyson, and my front facing Kyle.

If I know Kyle—and unfortunately , I know him very well—the look on his face is a sign that he wants to start a fight, and that’s the last thing I want to happen right now.

“I don’t believe you.” He sneers, eyeing Greyson up.

“We don’t need you to believe us.” Greyson comments back.

Yes, we do!

“Kyle, you need to leave.” I say.

Looking at me, he shakes his head. “Not unless you come with me.”

“Dude,” I can hear the annoyance in Greyson’s voice. “What part of she’s moved on do you not fucking understand?”

Twisting my head slightly, I look at Greyson and shake my head. “Don’t, he’s not worth it.”

Kyle growls, stepping closer. “Lilly.”

“ Leave. ” I grit out, embarrassment seeping through me from the looks we're getting from those who surrounds us.

Stepping forward, Greyson wraps a protective arm around my waist, and I sink into his touch. “You heard her, leave. ”

Kyle laughs as he steps closer. “I said—”

“Does it look like I give a fuck what you said?” Greyson raises his voice slightly. “If my girlfriend wants you gone, then you’re gone.”

“Girlfriend?” He laughs, taking another step forward. “You really think she likes you, huh? She’s doing this to make me jealous—which by the way, isn’t working. She’s playing you, and it won’t be long until she’s begging for me back.”

Is he for fucking real?

“Get fucked, Kyle,” I hiss, lifting my arms to push at his chest. “Why can’t you get it in your head that I don’t fucking c are about you anymore.”

“You do,” he shakes his head. “You know you do. I know you do. Everyone knows you do.”

Wrong. I stopped caring about him a long time ago.

“You’re more delusional than I thought.” Greyson snickers.

Kyle is charging toward us, and I’m pulled from Greyson as Kyle encloses his hand around my arm making me wince. I squirm, trying to loosen myself from his grip, but it’s pointless. He’s holding onto me so tightly that I think he’s actually going to cut off circulation to my arm—maybe a slight over exaggeration. But fuck, it hurts.

“Let go off my arm, Kyle.” I hiss, trying once again to loosen it.

“I won’t let go, Lilly. Not until you hear what I have to say.” He responds.

“You’re hurting me.” I whisper, my voice sounding weak.

I hate not only feeling vulnerable around a group of people but sounding it too. And right now, with eyes from around the room looking in our direction, I could feel my chest tightening, and the panic rising.

Greyson steps forward, a growl resonating from his throat. “You’ve got exactly five seconds to get your hand off her.”

“And if I don’t comply, then what?” Kyle snickers, tightening his grip on me which only makes me wince more.

“Kyle, get off me.” I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, and I have no fucking idea why.

“Lilly—”

“She said…” Callie charges toward us, her face filled with anger, and her fists clench beside her. “Get the fuck o ff her.” And then her arm rises, and her fist collides with his face causing blood to splatter out his nose.

The impact of the punch causes him to loosen his hand enough for me to be able to get out of his grip and backtrack. I stumble slightly, but arms keep me up and when I look behind me, I see Nina and Payton stood there, concern lacing their faces.

When did they even get here?

“Are you okay?” Payton asks, rubbing her hand across my reddening arm.

I nod, being unable to speak.

I watch as Kyle pushes Callie making her stumble. My anger rises, and I step forward to defend her, but I’m held back by Nina.

“The boys are on it.” She gestures with her head toward Greyson, Chase, Theo, Hunter, and even Caleb who are all charging toward Kyle.

Words are exchanged—or more so, shouted. But I can’t seem to focus on anything but my breathing.

When did it suddenly become a sauna in here?

“This isn’t over.” Kyle roars, pointing in my direction.

Gulping, I take a breath in. When will it ever be over?

I watch as he pushes Chase off him and storms out of the room, also pushing anyone that is in his way. Fuck. Why can’t he just leave me alone?

“Are you okay?” Greyson’s soft voice cuts through the air.

I nod.

Am I okay? I don’t know. Not really . Is anyone ever okay?

“Where’s Callie?” I ask, glancing around.

“ Caleb took her to the bathroom to get cleaned up.” Nina says.

“Is she okay?”

“I don’t think it was her blood.” Payton chuckles.

I give a faint smile before turning in Greyson’s direction and answering his question. “I…I guess I’m in shock?” That’s an understatement of the century. “What the fuck just happened?” I blink, trying to regain focus. “He’s never acted like that before.”

“Do you want to go home?” He asks.

Home? That’s the last place I want to be right now. I know if I go home then I’ll just get in my head more, and I don’t want to do that because it’ll just lead to a sleepless night with me crying most of it.

And if I’m honest, I don’t think I’ve got the energy to be crying all night.

But what I do need is to get away from the crowd, only for a few moments…to take a breather, and maybe a bazillion shots.

“I refuse to let him ruin my night,” shaking my head, I adjust my halo and pucker my lips. “Could we go somewhere quiet for a few?”

His face softens into a smile. “Yeah,” he nods, holding his hand out. “Let’s go.”