Chapter 13: Bryn

Tabitha and I arrive at the party fashionably late as she says and things are already looking way out of hand. There are so many people outside laughing and drinking but inside…it’s far more crowded. There is only enough room for small paths to the booze table, bathrooms, and dance area. Otherwise you’re basically elbowing your way through everyone. I don’t know where to look first. There are a ton of guys wearing different jerseys for different teams and girls flocked around them like flies to honey.

They sure do buzz loud enough to be mistaken as flies that’s for sure. I scrunch my nose up when I happen to hear one of those girls making dirty promises to one of the basketball players. Of course he smiles and blatantly checks her out. Not that she’s hiding much with the single piece of fabric wrapped around her curvy body. Can that be called a dress?

“Let’s get a drink!” Tabitha yells over the music and talking.

She grabs my hand and helps us weed through the crowd until we reach a table full of so much alcohol I’m sure none is left at a single store nearby.

“What do you want?” Tabitha asks.

I don’t want to get so drunk that I do something stupid at my first party but a strong enough drink to loosen me up would work.

“Vodka Cranberry with ice.” I tell her.

There is a student next to the table mixing drinks and I watch him very carefully to make sure jerseys doesn’t slip something extra into our drinks. Tabitha is looking around, no doubt for her boyfriend so the least I can do is be the responsible one between us. Once our drinks are done we wander around for what I’m not sure but Tabitha is pulled into her boyfriends arms in no time. They get right to making out not caring that they’re in the middle of a huge party.

“Hey I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” Someone says next to me making me jump. “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.”

The guy is tall and the basketball jersey explains why. He’s a good looking guy that’s for sure. His skin is a warm brown color and he has dark curly hair that looks so perfect that I’m jealous. How does he get them to look so nice?

“That’s okay!” I wave him off with a smile.

“What’s your name?” He asks as he moves closer when someone walks behind him.

“Bryn. You?”

“Tony! Bryn is a very unique name. I like it.” He gives me one of those smiles that must have girls falling at his feet.

I don’t blame them, he’s gorgeous. Apparently, I’m not immune to his charm because the longer he smiles at me the warmer my cheeks get.

“Thanks! So you’re on the basketball team? How’s your season going so far?” I ask and he gives me a surprised look. “What?”

“Nothing it’s just most girls don’t want to talk about stats and game stuff period. It’s cool.” He smirks at me and takes a sip of his drink. “What are you studying?”

“Athletic medicine and physical therapy.” I tell him.

“Wow, so you’ll be working with guys like me.”

“Well, I was going to work with the basketball team, but I got reassigned.”

“Really why?”

I bite my lip debating telling him, but what does it matter? It’s not like he knows Sawyer.
“My roommate decided the hockey team needed me more and spoke to the coach. Now I get to be with them for the season.”

He clicks his tongue. “Bummer. I would have liked to hang out with you more.”

He would? Okay, I’m going to be bold.

“We could hang out outside of sports related courses. Like for coffee or something.” I cringe at how awkward I sound but his heart melting smile grows wider, and he lets out a deep laugh.

“I’d like that. Why don’t we switch numbers?” He pulls his phone out and I do the same.

My heart is racing, in a good way, as I type my number into his phone. I know he probably has over a dozen girls names in there, but I’ll have to make sure he knows I won’t be a booty call.

“Cool. I-“ He is cut off midsentence when another guy from the basketball team calls his name. “One sec!”

He looks back at me and gives me a disappointed look. “Sorry I gotta go but I’ll text you.” He reaches for my hand and lifts it to his lips. “See you later pretty girl.”

I watch him walk away and feel these excited flutters in my stomach.

“Oh my gosh girl that was crazy! He’s the captain of the basketball team you know? You have good taste.” Tabitha says nudging me with her elbow.

“We just talked for a little bit. I don’t think he’ll actually call me.” I shrug it off, but I can admit to myself that I hope he does.

At least I hope he’s the first of many numbers I get tonight. This is a new start and I’m no longer awkward Bryn. So, I need to let myself explore all kinds of relationships even if they’re just a fling.

“What the fuck was that?” I hear someone snap from behind me.

I turn and see Sawyer standing there looking so mad that smoke could be coming from his ears, and I wouldn’t be surprised.

“What are you doing here?” I ask instead of answering him.

“I was invited. Now answer my question, what were you doing with him?”

Is he serious? What the hell is wrong with him?

“Why does it matter Sawyer? It’s none of your business. Stop putting your nose where it doesn’t belong!” I turn and grab Tabitha’s arm and dragging her away.

“What was that about?” She asks.

“He has this strange idea that I need to be protected by him. Well, I grew up just fine without any help from him. I wanted us to be friends again but he’s making it hard with this alpha male crap he’s pulling on me. I mean it’s been two days and I’m already done with him.” I grumble.

“Hm, men can be idiots sometimes, but this is a party. Let’s have fun!” She whoops and pulls me onto the dance floor.

She starts to sway her hips and dance along to the music while I stand awkwardly not sure what to do. I’m not very experienced at dancing but I take a few more sips from my drink and try to imitate her moves. I sway my hips and let loose. She’s surprised when her boyfriend wraps his arms around her and start moving along to her rhythm. I try not to watch them, but they look hypnotic and like they mold into each other perfectly.

I close my eyes and let myself get lost in the music before I feel an arm wrap around my waist. My instinct is to elbow them hard and maybe turn around to take a swing at them, but then I remind myself that I’m letting loose. So, I let my head drop back on them and continue swaying like I don’t have a care in the world. That is until whoever was holding me is pulled away. My eyes snap open and I whirl around to see Sawyer on top of Tony. He’s punching him and Tony is trying to get a punch in as well.

“Sawyer! What are you doing?” I yell but he doesn’t hear me.

He’s lost in his anger because even when some other guys try to pull him off, he takes a swing at them too. If this goes on Sawyer is going to be the one getting his butt kicked. I need to stop him. Although I know jumping into the middle of a bunch of guys throwing fists, I need to stop him. If coach hears about this he’ll be pissed and that won’t be good for Sawyer. So, I suck in a deep breath and move toward the guys and grab Sawyers arm mid throw.

“Don’t!” Someone calls out but I ignore them.

When Sawyer whirls around with his fists high I duck out of the way and stand back up. He goes completely still when he sees me and all the anger on his face melts away. I want to wring him out, but he does something I don’t expect and pulls me into his chest. He wraps his arms around me and rests his head on mine. My head is resting on his chest, and I can hear how fast his heart is pumping and how badly he’s shaking.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers.

I’m not sure which part he’s apologizing for but he’s calming down and that’s all that matters. I can be pissed at him later but right now he needs me to help calm him down. This brings back too many memories of those early days when he had so much pent-up anger thanks to his dad. Back then he would pick fights and lose terribly. Then he found hockey and could take his anger out on the ice. Clearly that isn’t enough anymore.