Hockey With Benefits

The Alpha Mu house was a giant brick building with different sections that led off to other buildings attached. It looked like an odd-shaped brick castle on Grant West’s frat row, but to be fair, it wasn’t just their house that looked like that. A couple others were similar. But the Alpha Mu’s was the biggest.

“Daniels!” Two guys in the doorway threw up their hands at seeing me. “About time you got here.”

“Hey, guys.” I stepped inside, eyeing both as they shut the door.

One was speaking into a walkie.

“Door duty?”

The other gave me a resigned look, nodding. “Yeah. All night. We kinda messed up with something.”

The other one finished on the radio and jumped into the conversation. “It’s better than bathroom duty and there’s worse than that too.”

“I don’t think I want to know what those are.”

“Good call.” He indicated down the hall. “Miller’s in the basement.”

The place was in full party mode. There were people everywhere. Music was blasting, along with neon lighting inside.

“There’s a girl I invited to come with me from my abnormal psych class. It was last minute. I didn’t catch her name so she might show up and give my name.”

“Right on. We’ll ask everyone coming in if they’re in abnormal psych.”

I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not, but I added, “I told her to come with at least one friend.”

“The more the merrier.”

The doorbell rang so I moved on, hearing them open the door. “Any of you currently in abnormal psychology?”

I glanced back, laughing, and saw they were serious with the question.

“Daniels. What up, woman?” A guy I knew from last semester was in the kitchen, waving me over when I got there.

He was mixing drinks, and handed one over to me. “Drink?”

“Thanks.” Normally, I liked to bring my own booze, but I knew this guy. He broke down crying one night about his family. I knew how much he missed his grandpa and how he went home every Sunday night for dinner with his grandma. When I learned how he doted on his sister, that cemented it. He’d go crazy if anyone slipped something in her drink. I held up the cup, glancing around. There were some Kappa girls here, and some…nope, all were giving me dark looks. Okay, then. Seemed that whole drama with Burford wasn’t in the past. I shouldered through, going into the basement.

Two guys were guarding the doorway. When they saw me, they gave a nod behind them.

I ducked past, seeing a large screen mounted on the wall. It was huge, almost theater size, and was high up on the wall. The game hadn’t started. The guys were still in warm-ups, and I paused before anyone knew I was there. Cruz was doing his thing. He liked to bullshit. It was almost part of his pregame ritual. I’d noticed that he’d either try to converse with someone from the opposing team, the ref, or if none of them were available, he’d stand on the red line and talk with a couple of his teammates. Wes Barclay and he were tight, so it was usually Wes, but tonight he was talking to one of the other team’s guys.

“What’s he doing?” One of the guys gestured to the screen. “He does this every game.”

“Who cares? He always dominates.”

Someone else said, “He’s getting in their heads. Setting them up for later total annihilation.”

Gavin laughed. “You all are idiots. You even know Cruz? He’s not that type of guy. He’s chill, so he’s being chill, and when they’re all trying to get hyped up for the game, he’s interfering with that intensity.”

“Soooo, what I just said.”

“He’s not doing it intentionally. Just him being him.”

A girl added, “I heard he’s super intense. This is all a facade or something.”

A bunch of guys broke out laughing.

I could hear Gavin rolling his eyes. “Girl, why you in here?”

“Dude!” One guy broke into harsh laughter, coughing at the same time.

There were other murmurs, a couple girls, but one shoved through the last guys in the doorway and went past me, hurrying upstairs. I was guessing she was the one who made that comment.

From another girl, “You’re such a dick sometimes, Gavin.”

“What?” He was laughing. “Did I say something?”

A second girl came through, and I pointed upstairs. “That way.”

She was angry, but clipped out, “Thanks,” before she went upstairs too.

There was a second room that ran the length of the main room. Alpha Mu used it as a weight room and at the end a Skee-Ball was set up with an arcade basketball game next to it. It attached to that main room at the end, so I went that route, coming to the doorway and getting a scope of the room before actually stepping into it. The game would start soon, the ice was emptying. There was a large U-shaped couch, which was full of people. Mostly guys. A few girls. There were other guys lounging on beanbags in front of the couch.

A bar was set up in the back where I was standing. Some of the guys saw me, lifted a hand in greeting.

“Hey.”

“Daniels!” Miles and Gavin both heard me, looking back from the couch.

Gavin threw his arms in the air, like the guys at the front. “What are you doing back there? Get over here, woman!”

Miles was standing up. He waved me over. “Here. You can sit where I was.”

I frowned, going around the couch and sitting in his spot. “Are you sure? Where are you–”

I stopped asking because he took a seat in front of me on the floor, and he moved back, leaning against my legs. He rested one arm over my knee, sipping his drink, but as he did that, he put a little space between me and Gavin. He glanced back, gauging my response. I gave him a little grin in thanks.

He grinned back, hiding it as he took another sip.

Gavin was frowning at him, then poked my arm. “Where’d you disappear to last night?”

“I went to my room. Why?”

He was scanning my face and I waited for him to tell me that he came up, knocking on the door, but he didn’t. He shrugged, ducking his head. “No reason. I was just checking on you.”

“I was okay.”

Miles had stilled, overhearing our conversation.

I elbowed Gavin and indicated the screen. “Didn’t know you and Cruz were so tight.”

He harrumphed. “What? It’s Cruz. He’s partied here. He’s a good guy.”

“Everyone, shut up!” One of the guys stood up, yelling. “Game’s starting!”

The guys were back and skating up for the face-off. After that, it was on.

It was during the second and third period when I headed back upstairs for a refill. I was hoping the same bartender was in the kitchen still, but as soon as I got to the top of the stairs, a different guy saw me. “Daniels, you got two chicks at the door saying they know you.”

I veered that way instead. The door duty guys were still there.

One saw me coming, the walkie in his hand. He waved at me. “They won’t say if they’re in your class or not, so I’m hoping you can vouch for them?”

I looked at them, not recognizing them. “Who are you?”

The two guys threw their hands in the air again.

“Come on! Seriously?”

I heard the other on the walkie. “We might have a problem here.”

One of the girls leaned toward me. “Our friend said we were invited via you. She’s in your abnormal psych class.”

I was about to wave them in when the walkie guy stepped up behind me, touched my shoulder with the walkie, and gestured inside. “One sec,” I said to the girls, following him, and once there, they closed the door.

A cry of protest came from the other side. The other guy was speaking over them, but he was sounding stressed.

“You guys now have standards about who comes in?”

His mouth went flat. “If you vouch for them, you gotta stay with them.”

“That’s okay.”

“The whole time.”

That was different.

He read my face, and his eyebrows went up. “Exactly. We got in trouble last semester. A girl got too drunk, and she woke up at her place, no memory of how she got there. She freaked, told her RA, and since she only remembers being at our place, you know the drill.”

“Not good.”

“Exactly.” He was giving me a look like he and I were on the same wavelength. “My advice? If you know them and want to be responsible for them, have at it. We’ll wave them in, but if you don’t want to play babysitter, let me know. We’ve been sending people packing all night.”

“How fun is that.”

He let out a hollow laugh. “Right. It’s your call.”

I was shaking my head before he even finished. “I don’t know them, but I’ll go out and let them know the situation.”

“Okay with me.”

We were going back to the door when my phone started ringing. It was an unknown number.

I…

My stomach dropped and a lump instantly formed at the back of my throat. I shouldn’t, but I also didn’t want to wonder. I needed to know.

I showed him my phone.

His head moved up and down and he pointed down the hallway. “First door. That’s my brother’s room. Should be clear.” He motioned outside. “I’ll be nice to the girls, explain the situation. They’ll be pissed. They’re always pissed, but fuck ’em.”

“Thanks.”

I hurried down and into the first room, testing the knob. It was open, and I slipped in. He was right. Considering how loud the music was, the room was relatively quiet. They must’ve soundproofed some of the rooms. Then, feeling a pit in my stomach, I took a breath and counted to five before I answered.

“Mom?”

“This is a collect call from Cain Police Department. Do you accept the charges for a–”

“This is Zeke!”

What?

But there was silence until Zeke said, “Don’t leave me hanging, Daniels. I need some help here.”

“Uh–yeah. I’ll accept the charges.”

Zeke let out an audible sigh. “Thank GOD. I was a little nervous.”

“Why are you calling me? I’m in Grant West.”

He laughed. “Your number is the only one I have memorized. Don’t ask me why it’s your number, but yeah, could you call my boy and let him know where I am? He’ll know the drill.”

“Zeke.”

“What’s up, Buttercup?”

“What did you do to get arrested?”

A louder laugh this time. “Uh, I’m a little fuzzy on the deets myself, but once I piece it all together, I’ll fill you in. I’m not even really sure where my phone is, or my clothes.”

“You don’t have clothes?”

“I’m in one of the jumpsuits you see the criminals wear when they go to county. Guess I was only in my underwear, and they said that wasn’t appropriate. Had an extra jumper so here you go. Is it sad that I’m hoping to keep this thing? Maybe wash it twenty times, but this will be an awesome Halloween costume.”

“I don’t want to hear any more.”

“Wait!”

I paused, but he didn’t say anything. “What?”

“Uh. How are you? How are things with your mo–”

I hung up, letting loose a curse before I started pulling up my ex’s name.

The door opened then, a beam of light flashed over me, and a guy stopped short. “Who the fuck are you?”

The guy was a giant, with long black hair pulled up in a messy man-bun. I repressed a shiver at who was going to tell him it was not working for him. Also, he bore no resemblance to his brother.

“I have to make a call. Your brother told me I could come in here.”

He moved more into the room, closing the door and flicking the lights on. Getting a better look at me, he was slowing his roll, giving me a once-over. “Never mind. Make all the calls you want.”

I narrowed my eyes, but this shouldn’t take long.

I hit call and waited.

Unless my ex, who was Zeke’s best friend, was sleeping or fucking, he’d answer my call. And he did a second later, “Mara?”

“Zeke just called me from jail.”

“What?”

I paused for a beat. “Do you really need me to repeat that line?”

He snorted. “Why are you calling about it?”

“Have that conversation with him. Could you go and get him out?”

“At Grant West?”

“No. He’s in Cain. I’m guessing at the police station. He called me collect.”

He cursed. “Yeah. I’ll get him. Uh…”

Blaise had been my with-benefits guy back in Fallen Crest, but he never knew about my mom. He knew now, and I felt my chest tightening because his tone went soft. He was going to ask about her, how she was doing, how I was doing.

So I got there first, saying softly, “See you, Blaise.”

“Oh. Yeah. See you.”

I ended the call and waited a second. Sometimes the emptiness would start hitting me right about now… This used to happen on a regular basis back when things ended between him and I. I hadn’t handled it the best way, and lashed out a little, but the thing was that he had no idea why I reacted the way I did. And now, considering this call, I was realizing that he may never know.

But the emptiness wasn’t hitting me, and well look at that. Progress.

“Cain. Blaise. I heard him call you Mara. Miller talks about a certain Mara so I’m going out on a limb and guessing that you’re Mara Daniels?”

Right.

I straightened.

I’d forgotten the guy and that I was in his room. Him and his man-bun.

“Hi. Yes.” Wait. I blinked. “What does he say about me?”

The guy smirked, going to his desk and grabbing his wallet. “Just that you’re super hot, which I agree with him now, and he wants to bag you. He’s almost desperate about it.”

“I’ve told him I’m not going to fuck him.”

He grinned faintly, grabbing a hoodie and keys, then going to his door. “That’s the thing with guys. Unless he sees you with another guy, he’s not going to believe a word you say.” He reached for his doorknob but glanced back and gave me another once-over. “Do us all a favor and get a boyfriend. No wonder the guys are jumping over themselves for you. Stay in here a little longer and I’ve half a mind to tell the guys someone else has to go for a beer run.”

Fuck’s sake.

I gave him a hard look, heading for him right as he opened the door. He held it for me, watching me pass in front and he murmured, right behind me, “Pleasure to meet you, Daniels. You can use my room anytime you need.”

I gave him a tight smile. “Thanks.” And decided not to get a refill. I got back to the basement during the third period and right as Cruz shot the puck.

The goalie reached for it, but the light went red.

Everyone went crazy. “GOAL!!!!!”

I gave Miles a ride home. As soon as I pulled up to our house, he jerked up. “What? Another party tonight?”

He looked my way, but I was getting out of the car. “Wade and some girls from class were going to study. I’m not sure if Darren was joining them. I’m guessing the studying turned into drinking.”

He let out a curse, getting out too. “Of all nights for me to lose my phone.”

“You lost your phone?”

“Yeah. If you see an extra phone around the place, it’s probably mine.”

He started for the back door, and I went with him until I veered for the door that was my own entrance.

“You’re not coming in with me?”

I shook my head. “I’m partied out.”

My stomach was still churning a little, but not bad enough where I needed to numb it. I was craving some alone time, and a change of clothes.

“Hey, uh.”

I unlocked my door, and opened it, but paused, holding it open.

Miles winced, before closing his eyes. “Fuck it. I’m sorry, but… I’m wading in. You and Gavin…”

“There’s no me and Miller.”

He was already nodding before I finished. “I’m aware of that. All of the guys in his frat are aware of it, and they were ribbing him before you showed up tonight.”

I deflated. Just a little. “They didn’t bet him to get in my pants, did they?”

“No. Nothing like that, but you know who Flynn Carrington is?”

I shook my head.

“Senior. One of the head honchos in the frat.” He motioned to the back of his head. “Dark man-bun.”

“Oh. Yeah. I met him tonight.”

“Sorry. I, just, you got your stuff about getting personal, but this is kinda serious.”

“It’s fine, Miles. I’m sorry for snapping at you that one time. Just can’t handle questions about my past, that’s all.”

He blew out a breath, looking relieved and his head bobbed a little. “I saw Carrington watching you when we were leaving. He didn’t like that I was going with you, and it’s just a thing. Guys can tell. He–Flynn–he’s got a lot of power in the frat. His dad’s, like, a senator or something, but the guy’s a dick.”

“Miles, just say it.”

“I’m just saying that I could see a situation where Miller will be talking about you when you’re not there, and Carrington’s going to hear. And he could be the guy that says something, making it into a whole different thing. Like betting him to get in your pants or something.” He stopped talking for a second before his eyes flashed something grim. “I didn’t like how he looked at you. You know. I mean, some girls are clueless, but you’re not. You know. He looked like a predator.”

I felt the word in my throat, and it was hard to swallow around it.

Fuck, though. Fuck.

“I’m thinking it’s time we both have a break from the Alpha Mu house.” I amended, “Another break, in my case.”

His grin was sad. “Yeah. And, man. Glad that’s done.” He gestured to the house. “I’m either going to pass out or get a second wind.”

“See you tomorrow.”

He gave a wave, going through his door. I went through mine, and stood just inside, digesting what he told me because fuck. Fuck! Fuck! Was it me? Did I ooze something that attracted drama?

Was I like my mom?