The Right Side of Tanner (Available through the end of Feb. 2025)

Chapter 13

Tanner

It's been a long last few weeks full of practice and games both home and away. One of those games was against the team that now has my former teammate, Tatum Charles, on the roster. Yeah, that game was fun. The other guys and I showed Tatum the boards all night after he made lewd comments and gestures at Jenna and Lindsey. Not gonna lie; that felt pretty good. Tatum needed to be brought down several pegs for his bullshit.

On top of having to keep up with everything going on with the team lately, I've also been trying to figure out what the hell is going on with me mentally. After my revelation about catching feelings for Jenna, I've been trying to sort through how to handle that. It's not something I've ever had to deal with, so I'm feeling kind of lost on that front. I mean, seriously, how the hell do I figure that shit out?

Do I want to date her? Would she even consider it? Am I sure it's not just a crazy blockage that I need to get out of my system? I mean, the whole thing has my mind spinning.

I need to wind down. The rest of the guys need to wind down too. So, that's how I ended up here- at the karaoke bar with the team. Some of the guys suggested we get away from our usual haunt and check this place out.

Everyone is having a blast. Drew just sang "Hot in Here" by Nelly and is now hitting on two puck bunnies that found their way over to him. Rob is sipping on his drink, pretending to be interested in whatever it is the chick next to him is saying. Dan and Tyler are on stage now, singing some song by Journey. Chase, Liam, Lindsey, and Jenna are sitting at a table close to the stage, laughing about something.

I can't help but feel a sense of longing as I watch them. It would be nice to know what was so funny. Or to have a closer seat to Jenna to hear her laugh or talk or whatever. As these thoughts come tumbling out of my brain, I start to realize just how fucked I am.

I've never had these kinds of thoughts. Now I want to sit closer to her and hear her laugh? What the hell is wrong with me?

Drew breaks me out of my downward spiral. "Hey, you gonna go up there and sing something?"

I look at him and laugh. Is he serious right now? "Uh, no, man. I'm gonna pass. I don't sing."

He drops the line of questioning and sets his attention back on the bunnies under each of his arms. I take another long gulp of my drink and turn around toward the stage just in time to see Jenna and Liam grab the microphones. They sing "Carry on My Wayward Son" by Kansas and get the whole crowd going. I can't help but smile as I watch her up there. She's fucking gorgeous, belting out each line with confidence, swinging her arms to pump the crowd up. Fuck, I wish it were me up there with her.

The night goes on, and several other people brave the stage and belt out various songs, some better than others. Redhead Jenna and her bitchy friend go up and make a hack job out of some Britney Spears song. I thought I was going to need earplugs to make it through that. Luckily, they were followed by someone who could actually carry a tune. Then, I see Jenna and Liam return to the stage. Seeing them up there again together strikes a nerve.

I elbow Drew in the side and nod up to the stage. "What do you think is going on there?"

Drew clearly misunderstands my question. "Yeah, man, they're doing awesome!"

I suppress a groan. "Yeah, but I mean, have you ever wondered if something is going on between them? Ya know, in private?"

Drew chokes on his drink. "Liam and Taylor?"

I nod, and Drew starts laughing, which catches Rob's attention. "What's so funny?"

Drew calms himself down enough to answer. "T.J. thinks Liam is fucking Taylor!"