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

Grace

I pressed on my toes to whisper in Levi’s ear.

“Stella wants to dance.”

The hockey team had set up camp in the backroom, around the pool table. These guys always needed to be around some type of game or competition. Levi nodded over the loud music then released my hand. I fought the urge to pout. His hand had been so warm. So was his jacket. I probably didn’t need it anymore though. I slipped it off my shoulders and handed it back to him. His eyes glassed over as he looked at my cleavage. He needed to stop looking at me like that. I didn’t have the patience he did. I’d barely made two steps before he gripped my wrist and pulled me back to him. Slamming into a wall of muscle, he kissed me long and slowly. Holding hands. Public kissing. This went beyond the element of exclusive, but I wasn’t complaining.

“I’ll be here,” he said.

Nodding, I turned back to Stella and Ava. Both their eyebrows were raised so high they practically disappeared into their hairline. It was too loud to have a proper conversation, though I knew we’d be having one tomorrow. More like an interrogation. The house was like a maze. Stella weaved us through it until we broke onto the dance floor. There were so many people. Naughty maids. Skimpy nurses. Angels. Devils. I didn’t feel silly being dressed up anymore. It was like it was compulsory in this country to go all out. If anything, those with lack-lustre costumes were the ones that looked like idiots. The music definitely wasn’t my vibe, but it was everyone else’s. Putting aside my distaste for RNB, I danced with my friends. The atmosphere was electric. It was exactly what I expected from the biggest college party of the year.

“Let’s get a drink,” Stella shouted.

We made our way to the kitchen. It was quieter here. You were able to talk at least. Stella grabbed three capped drinks and handed them out. I twisted off the top and took a sip of the fruity liquid. I hadn’t drunk for a while. Between the game of beer pong and Levi pinning me against the hallway wall, I’d been feeling lightheaded. I pressed onto my tippytoes, looking around. I’d seen a few of the football boys, including the two guys Ryker had come to the hockey game with, but I hadn’t seen him yet. Stella’s eyes widened when my chest lit up. I’d stuffed my phone in my bra. It hadn’t fit anywhere else.

Levi: I can’t wait to get you alone.

“Is that Levi?” Ava asked, a knowing grin on her face.

I pivoted the phone. She cackled.

“What are you doing with us? Go find him.”

“No,” I said, shoving my phone back down my bra. “I want to hang with you girls.”

“Cute,” Stella smiled. “But we want to pick up. And that won’t happen if people think we’re tangled up with the hockey guys.”

“It won’t?” Ava pouted.

“No way. If you’re not one of them, you don’t mess with them.” She finished off her drink. “We’re going back to the dance floor. Grace, come find us if you need.” She paused, winking over her shoulder. “But I don’t think you will.”

Not being able to fight the urge to see Levi, I edged back to the area I’d last seen him. This party was crazier than anything I’d been to before. There were gatherings within gatherings, and parties within parties. When I reached the doorway that led to the back room, I froze. A different party was happening here. For each hockey guy, there was double the number of girls. I scanned the room for Levi. He was leaning against the wall, a pool cue resting by his feet. He’d ditched his jacket. I was used to seeing him in hoodies, whereas this t-shirt clung to all the right muscles. His biceps. His stomach. I could stare at him all day. Apparently so could others. A girl dressed as Harley Quinn sauntered over to him. It took me a moment to place her. Summer. She placed her hand on his forearm, a provocative smile on her face. I took a steadying breath. He’d reassured me about her before. And I trusted him. There was no reason to be worried. As I stepped into the room, another girl walked over. This one was dressed as a cowgirl. She pointed a toy gun at Levi. He opened his mouth, and she shot what I assumed was vodka down his throat. Okay. That wasn’t a great look.

“There you are.”

Ryker appeared at my side. I looked him up and down, a grin transforming my face. He was dressed as a football player. And not just any football player, an Adelaide Crows player. The red, yellow and blue jersey was a familiar comfort. He even had the matching-coloured socks.

“I love it,” I told him.

“I’m glad. Because no one else gets it.” He looked me up and down. “You look amazing.”

I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Thanks.”

I couldn’t help my gaze wandering back to Levi. He was still the piece of meat between the two girls. Two very attractive girls. Ryker followed my gaze.

“Veronica and Summer,” he filled in. “Both on Levi’s roster.”

“Roster?”

“Yeah, ugh.” Ryker scratched his head. “Like a hook-up roster.”

Good to know. I wasn’t annoyed at Levi’s past. Sure it didn’t feel great knowing he had a roster of girls he used to sleep with. But he’d been nothing but honest and upfront with me. That didn’t mean the sight of those girls with him didn’t make me jealous as hell.

“I need to use the bathroom,” I told Ryker, thinking of the first excuse to get away from this room.

“The line’s huge.” He reached for my hand. “Come with me.”