Page 39 of Wish You Were Mine (Kings of Eden Falls #3)

LUCY

The bass thudded through the floor at the big yellow house Brody and his teammates lived in, the air warm with too many bodies crammed into one house.

“Hey,” Brody said, leaning close so I could hear him over the music, “I’m glad you could make it.”

“Of course,” I said, stepping in a little, the bass vibrating through my chest. “Thanks for the invite. I always love your parties.”

Around us, the house buzzed with post-win energy—voices raised, music thumping, the unmistakable cocktail of sweat, cologne, and cheap beer thick in the air.

Hockey players were everywhere. Some were still in partial uniform, others in hoodies and joggers, drinks in hand, grinning like they were the kings of the world.

“I’m gonna miss these parties when we all graduate,” I said after taking a sip from my can of sparkling water.

“Me too,” he said, nodding slowly.

“But you’ll have plenty more parties like this to go to.” I offered Brody a smile. “Since you’re playing for the Boston Watchmen next year, right?”

“I guess.” He shrugged. “Though…it’ll definitely be different.” He looked at me, his gaze meeting mine for a beat. “I’ll miss seeing you there, at least.”

“Oh, I doubt you’ll miss me for long.” I chuckled, somewhat caught off guard by his statement. Trying to play it off, I added, “You know, once you’ve got all those girls wearing your jersey and screaming your name.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged but didn’t smile. And for a second, I wondered if I’d said something wrong.

Maybe his crush was a little deeper than I’d thought?

I glanced at my watch. I’d been at the party for about thirty minutes. I’d sent Owen my location when I arrived, told him to just text me when he was nearby so I could slip out and meet him. But…had he forgotten about me?

Or maybe he’d just gotten caught up talking with his friends and lost track of time? Not that I expected him to ditch them for me or anything.

Still…how long did it take to get gelato?

I pulled my phone out of my pocket to see if I might have missed seeing a text come through, but there was nothing. Just the wallpaper of me and Nora making silly faces at practice one day.

My disappointment must’ve shown on my face because Brody tilted his head and asked, “You okay? You just got a look.”

“I’m fine.” I laughed lightly, tucking my phone back into my pocket. “Just checking the time to see how late it is since I’m feeling a little tired. All those early practices and hours studying must be catching up to me.”

“Oh, I feel you there,” he said, though something in his expression made me wonder if he sensed there was more .

But it wasn’t like he could know…right?

Sure, we were lab partners for three hours a week, but I’d been careful not to let anything slip—only looking at Owen when completely necessary.

Okay. With the occasional extra glance.

But still. Pretty sure the only person who might have dirt on me was the tall guy who’d been following me Tuesday night.

Not that he could have seen me go into Owen’s apartment…right?

It had been dark. I’d been across the street. I was almost certain I had my hood up.

Hadn’t I?

I tried to shove the thought away. I was probably fine. Hopefully.

But with all these massive hockey players around me, with their shoulders and elbows and big booming voices, I suddenly felt small. At risk.

A flicker of unease crawled under my skin, and I scanned the room, suddenly needing to find Nora again. Just to anchor myself. Just to breathe.

And then, it happened.

Someone slammed into me—hard. A big guy, laughing with his friends, not even glancing my way. I stumbled straight into Brody, my hand instinctively grabbing his arm to steady myself as a flash of panic surged through me.

Because for a split second, I wasn’t here anymore. I was back in that too-small kitchen, slammed into the counter, breath knocked out of me and fear crawling up my spine.

“Hey, man,” Brody said, tensing beside me as he turned toward the guy. “Watch where you’re going.”

“Sorry.” The guy raised his hands, still grinning like it was no big deal. “She’s so tiny I barely saw her. ”

A flash of anger lit across Brody’s face, and my stomach dropped.

Was this going to turn into another fight? Right here? Because of me ?

But then, Brody exhaled, jaw tightening as he reined it in.

“You okay?” he asked, looking down at me.

I nodded, willing the tremor in my hands to still—trying to hold onto the present. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” He dipped his head low, searching my eyes.

“Yeah…” I said stepping back before he could see all my secrets. “Sorry I’m being so weird. But I-I think I’m gonna head out.”

“I can give you a ride if you need,” Brody offered, his hand steadying me gently at the elbow. “I only had one drink, so I should be good.”

“Um…thanks.” I hesitated, since part of me was still clinging to the hope that Owen would text and this night wouldn’t be a complete bust.

Then, as if summoned, my watch lit up with a message from Theo’s friend .

Finally.

I glanced back up at Brody. “Actually, I think I’ll just walk. It’s not far.”

“You sure?” he asked, brow furrowing. “It’s not always safe out there.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said, offering a small smile. “But thank you. And thanks for inviting me tonight.”

I stepped away and pulled my phone from my pocket, my thumb already swiping up to unlock it before I reached the edge of the room.

Theo’s friend: I’m parked across the street whenever you’re ready.

I scanned the room for Nora and spotted her across the living room, deep in conversation with the guy she’d been crushing on for weeks.

Instead of walking up and disrupting her, I sent Nora a quick text.

Me: Hey, I just left with you know who. Didn’t want to interrupt. I’ll text you later.

With that, I slipped out the front door and into the cool night air, my heart already picking up speed.