I look up to see Jace settling in at the island next to me. I think it's the first time he's moved all night. He's holding two fresh beers and hands one out to me offering, his eyes soft and inviting.
"Jaceyyy" I mimic the bleach blonde who's name I learned was Kandice as I accept the beer from him. Happy to ditch the warm one I've been holding onto for a while.
He laughs and shakes his head at me. Knowing exactly what I'm doing.
"Aren't you supposed to be dancing?" I ask
"Not much of a dancer. Especially with her. I'm sorry about her, Kandice is..." he pauses trying to think of the right word "..a bitch"
I throw my head back laughing. "Hey don't apologize for something you didn't do" I tell him. "Your girlfriend is in charge of herself."
"She is not my girlfriend." He says so quickly and it amuses me how much he wants to emphasize that fact.
"Noted." I say and then change the topic "so Jace what should I know about this place? Have you been here since freshman year?"
He nods "yeah I have and honestly I wish I could tell you more but the hockey program keeps me so busy. I barely know what else happens on this campus."
"Rumor is you're the big shot hockey player around here." I say "word travels fast. Are you trying to go pro?"
He shrugs "That's the plan I guess." He says seeming disinterested in talking about it "should start being watched by scouts at the end of this season."
As he says this, I let out a big yawn and I immediately realize how rude I sound.
"I'm sorry." I say covering my mouth "you're not boring I swear" in fact he was the opposite. Talking to him was the most comfortable I've felt all night. "I've just been up since 4am to catch my flight here"
He looks amused as I scramble to apologize for my yawn. "Why don't we head back to the place" he says. "I'm beat too. Sorry we'll have to walk, I don't have my car here otherwise I'd drive us."
I nod in agreement to leaving the party as I push off the island to get going. "I don't mind walking. We've been drinking all night anyways." I say waving him off.
"You've been drinking girl. This is my first drink tonight." He says holding up the still full corona that I think he's taken one sip out of. "It's a hockey thing." He says dismissively "I have early morning practice tomorrow."
"Shouldn't the whole team be keeping it light then?" I ask gesturing over to a group of his team mates who currently have their faces huddled under an ice luge while vodka gets funneled down.
"They probably should for their own sake" he laughs "but they're good. They're off tomorrow. I have a..uh..private practice" he says it like he's embarrassed about it.
"Oh right cause you're a big deal and all. Alright Hot Shot let's get out of here, I just have to grab my coat" I say gesturing toward it laying on a chair on the other side of the room.
He scoops it up for me and holds it open waiting for me to slip my arms in. I smile at the sweet gesture and turn my back toward him, sliding into the waiting jacket. Once it's on I turn back to him as he tips his head toward the door signaling us to leave.
I follow him, scanning the room with my eyes one more time. Kandice is across the room watching us a scowl on her face. I ignore her and follow after Jace out the door.
Once we're outside in the cool night air I fall into step next to him.
"So what brought you here?" Jace questions as we walk
"Honestly.." I start "I was looking for a fresh start and this is what presented itself first. So here I am."
"And you're from Chicago? I heard you talking to Brody."
"Yeah I've been in Chicago for awhile now, since I was five" I say. Typically I hate talking about or even thinking about the sixteen years I'd spent in Chicago but for some reason I don't seem to mind telling Jace about it.
"And where were you before that?" Jace asks curiously.
"Boston." I say warmly and without hesitation which really surprises me. I never talk about that part of my life. The memories are too sweet, it makes me sad they were taken away so early in my life.
"Boston girl, huh? That's where I'd love to end up if I get drafted."
"Really?" I say excitedly "I'd love to end up there someday again too."
It's as if Jace knows I don't want to talk much more about it because he changes the subject. "So what are you here for? What are you majoring in?"
"Psychology." I say "I want to be a children's therapist. Not all kids have access to that kind of care or may just not have anyone to talk to. I'd love to be a part of making it more accessible. Most of my credits were able to transfer here which was a relief."
"That's pretty special" Jace says simply as we arrive in front of our apartment. "It's cool to have dreams that make an impact on other people."
"And you don't think hockey could?" I wonder.
"I think I'm still trying to figure that out." Jace says unlocking the door and holding it open for me to go inside.
"I'm pretty wiped. I'm gonna head to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay. Goodnight Jace." I say "thanks for inviting me tonight."
"I'm glad you came. Goodnight Cameron." He said and then retreated to his room. I watched him walk away feeling oddly warm inside that tonight I didn't feel so alone.
When I made it into my bedroom I flipped on the light and it sparked and then went out. I sighed, not wanting to deal with changing a light bulb and wanting to just climb in bed instead but I made my way back out to the kitchen in search of any spare light bulbs.
When I got there, Jace was standing in the dark, illuminated by the glow of the open refrigerator filling a large reusable water bottle.
I couldn't help but notice that he was shirtless, I think if I had the time I would count eight abs and the baggy sweatpants that he had changed into were hanging low on his hips. I caught myself staring just as he looked up at me and I gulped
"Hey, do you know if we have any spare lightbulbs? The light in my room just blew."
"Ah shit" he answers "that light always gives us a hard time. I'll come change it for you."
"Oh you don't have to do that, it can wait. I know you were trying to get to bed." I answer backtracking.
"lemme help Cam, it'll take no time."
And I did something I never do. I accepted the help. I nodded and simply said "okay thanks."
