boston {h.s.}

vingt-huit.*

n. important a/n before reading. as y'all know, the smut in this book is driven by request only. it's great. i love representing what y'all want to see and promoting sex positivity. keep the requests coming. always. that being said, when you make a request for a specific scenario, don't take a scenario that someone else has already written. as you might know, i don't read fanfic so this slipped my notice. on @cherryl0ve 's paetron, they had already written a scene that it is very obviously the inspiration for the request that drives this chapter. i wrote to the author and we collectively decided that the characters, setting, and overall stories are different enough that these scenes aren't the same. fortunately, they were kind enough to understand this and take no issue with me still posting this scene. going forward, i would appreciate it if y'all don't get me in anymore hot water scenarios like this. i truly don't know better when i don't read fic. that being said: i hope you enjoy the chapter!

"YOU REEK," I say, turning away from Rooney in disgust as he tries to wrap an arm around me in a form of greeting.

Temporarily distressed, he recoils. "I showered!" He maintains, sniffing under his arm as though that is where the odor is stemming from. He'd come to our apartment straight from the rink. After a big win, Jack was feeling generous and decided to throw an impromptu Tuesday night party. Whoever could be wrangled in last minute was invited.

"Smells like...," I pause, playfully tapping my bottom lip with my forefinger in consideration. "Cheap perfume." The smell is sickeningly sweet, but not in a good way.

No longer dismayed, Rooney only grows prouder by the second. "That was Mariah."

"I thought her name was Melody."

"Oh, shit. Could have been." Impartially, Rooney shrugs his shoulders, not entirely distressed. I wouldn't be if I were him either. After tonight, I doubt if he'll ever see the girl again, let alone talk to her. I don't know how he does it. One night stands have never been for me and less than that, I've never been exceptionally keen on the one night relationship. I find it miraculous that he is able to end things so amicably with so many women without fail. Most likely, his intense and endearing charm has something to do with it. Either that, or most of the girls know what they're signing up for for a single night on his arm.

"Need something to drink?" He asks, noticing my wine glass is near empty. I'd stayed for the game but had left separately. I went alone tonight: Asher had cross country and Coley wasn't around. Since I drove in separately in the first place, I didn't wait around for anyone outside of the locker room. Partially, I didn't want to risk running into Harry so casually. The locker room is still the object of many of my fantasies.

So, I left. When I came home I poured myself a glass of wine right away and relaxed. I didn't know that Jack was inviting people over until they were here. "No," I decline, giving Rooney the nicest smile that I can manage. "I have school tomorrow. Teaching hungover is not a fun experience."

Rooney releases a wholehearted laugh. He ruffles my hair slightly and mumbles something about grabbing himself another drink.

The apartment is filled with people that I don't recognize. Rooney had been the only person to come through the door—save from my brother, of course—that I had any level of familiarity with. Accordingly, I don't think it's necessary for me to make a formal announcement about sneaking off to go to bed.

Stopping in the kitchen first, I put my empty wine glass in the dishwasher and head straight to my bedroom from there, not wanting to get sucked into any unwanted conversation.

My exit is flawless.

Within minutes I am back in my room, changing out of my clothes and into a pair of comfortable pajamas to wear to bed. Just as I am pulling my shirt over my head, I can hear my door opening. "Ex—" Cut off in the middle of my sentence, a hand wraps around my mouth and blocks any speech. Lips attach to my neck and within seconds, I know that there is only one person in the world who would do such a thing. I hadn't even seen him enter our apartment.