My Hockey Boy

Chapter 25

Haley's POV

My foot began to tap nervously on the floor of Jo's car. We were close to the house because I could hear the beating of the music in the distance.

"Hey, you okay?" Jo asked, noticing my nervous state.

"Yeah, I just need to find someone." I told her, my eyes searching the crowd outside of the house for Charlie.

"Well, I'll pull up front and you can get out. I'll find somewhere to park." Jo told me as I smiled, thanking her.

"I'll try to find you after then. Thank you again." I told her, opening the passenger door before climbing out to find him.

As I walked across the front of the house, up the stairs of the porch, and into the house, stares were being exchanged between my former classmates. I saw them lean in towards their friends, telling them something that most likely concerned me but I didn't care. I didn't care what they were saying. All I cared about was finding Charlie before he found Wes. I looked around, this house held memories. A small amount maybe but they were still there. How did Wes even gain access to a house that belongs to the Adams? I didn't know but I did know this would only add oxygen to the already burning fire inside of Charlie.

My eyes scanned for him. There were a lot more people here than I expected. The music was loud and annoying. I never was a party type person. I'm not a drinker and I hated most of these people throughout high school so why start liking them now?

I jumped as I felt a hand on my shoulder but I settled as I turned to see Jo. "Have you found him yet?" She asked over the blaring noise.

"No." I called back.

A puzzled expression showed on her face. "Well, I'll look for him to. I'll tell him that you are looking for you." She told me and I nodded. Jo disappeared into the crowd as I turned to continue my search.

Jo's POV

I did as I told Haley, looked for Charlie. I sighed when I failed again as I entered another room. What if he wasn't even here? This night would be completely wasted. I will say though, I am glad Haley called me. I felt awful after finding out about all that shit Wes did to her but I just never brought myself to talk to her about it. I don't know why. Scared, maybe? The point is, she trusted me to be there for her and I betrayed her. And I felt like if I tried to talk to get after all this time, I'd be embarrassed. I'm not sure. I was just being selfish when my best friend needed me the most.

I shook my head, ridding the thoughts swirling around in my mind. I returned to the task at hand. And that was finding Charlie. The fact that they were together still baffled me. When she said his name over the phone I thought she was joking. Charlie Adams is an obnoxious, self centered, dick. So why were they together?

My eyes peered over the many familiar faces in the house but none of them belonged to the boy I was searching for. I sighed when I finally saw Charlie standing around the doorway. I quickly pushed past all the mostly already drunk teenagers.

"Charlie!" I called as I finally made my way closer to him.

"Joanna Nix? What do you want?" He sneered down at me due to my short height. I glared at him as he used my full name. He knew I hated that yet he would always call me it.

"Haley's here and she's looking for you. She didn't tell me why or anything." I shrugged, watching as Charlie's ran a hand through his hair.

"She's here?"

"Yes."

"Goddammit, I told her to stay at my house." He said aloud but I guessed he was more talking to himself then me because he pushed past me before tuning to ask where she was. I told him and then he was off, pushing past the crowd I had just come from.