What Are The Odds?: A college hockey romance. (Phil-U Book 1)

Levi

I closed the door behind me, still shaking my head at Grace’s offer to re-join the party while she went to sleep. She was insane if she thought being out here was more appealing than being in bed with her. I needed to find the guys stat so I could get back and slip under the covers beside her. Usually I cautioned myself against having the same girl in my bed back-to-back. But it was different with Grace. I’d never just slept with a girl before. I’d especially never cuddled one either. But after a night spent with Grace wrapped around my body, I was ready for round two. I edged my way through the crowd, ignoring hands as they tried to grab me and pull me into whatever conversation they were having. Will and Tripp were in the kitchen, chatting to some of the guys. They were a more responsible bet than Ryan.

“Cap,” Tripp greeted. “Have you seen, Hughesy? Ryker was looking for her. And I want to tell her the passionfruit daiquiri was a hit.”

A blonde was a few feet away from Tripp, staring at him like he was God’s gift to the earth. I guess I had her to blame for mentioning she liked passionfruit daiquiris. In hindsight though, puke aside, at least it had resulted with Grace in my bed.

“Grace is upstairs.”

“Calm it, Cap,” Tripp said, feigning fear. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

I hadn’t realised I’d said that aggressively. Okay, maybe I had. I was definitely finding Ryker next. He could go now.

“Call it at two,” I told Will. That gave them just over two hours. “We have recovery at eleven and we’ll all get reamed if even one player misses it.”

Ryan bounced into the room, his dress shirt undone fully. He was as drunk as I usually was. The life of the party. I didn’t envy him for a second. He’d either go to bed with a puck bunny or his hand. I’d choose what I had waiting upstairs any day of the week.

“Two hours,” I told him.

He pouted. I wasn’t going to waste time arguing. I walked into the living area. It’s where I’d last seen Ryker. I’d retreated outside after seeing his arm around Grace on the couch, but not without telling Tripp and Ryan to hit him up and get him away from Grace. I never said I wasn’t petty. I caught sight of Stella and Ava, leaning against the dining table in the midst of a pack of football players. Ryker was one of them. Reluctantly I made my way over, ignoring the glares that were sent my way. If I wasn’t so focussed on getting back upstairs, I would’ve not-so-politely reminded these guys whose house they were in. Grace’s friends appeared surprised when I stopped in front of them. The chatter around them died down.

“Grace asked me to tell you she’s staying here tonight.” I briefly glanced at Ryker. “Again.”

“She is?”

That was Ava, based on the accent. It was kind of similar to Grace’s, but different enough to know they were from different parts of the country.

“Yeah. She’s upstairs. Did you want to come up and see her?”

“All good. We were just about to head out.”

She gestured over to the circle they were part of. I guess all of them were rolling out. Fine by me.

“Look after her,” Ava said, smiling coyly.

I planned to. As the football team filtered out, Ryker remained. The smug part of me wanted to rub this in his face. But that didn’t sit right. Grace wasn’t a flag to wag around.

“What are you playing at, Holloway? The game’s over. You saw the kiss cam tonight.”

I forced a triumphant smile. “The game isn’t over when she’s waiting in my bed.”

I fucking hated the fact I’d just said that. But it had the desired effect. Ryker was floored.