*** I want to dedicate this chapter to a reader whose comments always keep me on my toes, and my only girl rooting for Mason so far. Lol. You're awesome ITS_ME_SP

**********

"Woo!" I was a total sellout... screaming with the rest of the fans, banging on the glass and jumping up and down with Sarah when the knights, more specifically, Mason scored goal after goal.

Two hours later and my bladder was about to explode, but I hadn't wanted to miss a single second. The final buzzer sounded and the place went off, the noise level deafening. "This is so cool!" I yelled. "I totally get it now!"

Sarah laughed, hugging me towards her as the fans behind us leaned over our chairs to bang on the glass. "Good! You can come with me to the next Rangers game then."

I just might take her up on it. That was a total adrenaline rush. One I wouldn't mind repeating.

The players started exiting and I caught Mason's eyes at the last moment. He pointed at me and I nodded my head. Yes, I see why you guys don't lose, I tried to say with that brief look. He smiled, his mouth guard hanging from one corner between the bite of his teeth, and then he disappeared with the others.

We squeezed our way up the steps avoiding trash and intoxicated fans, but cute-as-a-freaking-button Amy, who hadn't really been interested in the game, high fived every one she passed; somehow managing to score a Knights baseball cap and a foam finger by the time we walked back through the concrete tunnel and filed out of the building with hundreds of others who were high off the thrill of a win.

We looked at her as she flipped the hat backwards and shoved it back on her head. "What?" She shrugged.

We burst out laughing, the night air puffing from our lips; the city lights shining around us like beacons to my restless spirit.

I didn't make any plans to meet up with Mason after the game, but I wasn't ready to go home yet. I felt more alive this past week than I had in my entire life. It was like I had finally woken. "Let's go out!"

The girls squished me into a group hug with the comforting smell of their citrus shampoo surrounding me. "Woo hoo!" Amy yelled loud enough to tweak my eardrum. "Lets get drunk!"

***

We walked arm in arm to a bar slash club around the corner, strategically placed to pull in the weekend college crowd.

The music thumped my chest in time to my rapidly beating heart. We were sitting in an enormous round booth with a group of people we'd just met. One of the guys raised a glass - our fourth or fifth round of shots - and called out, "to beautiful new friends, who have zero interest in our sorry asses." We cheered and tipped the liquid back. I may have told them I was a lesbian too. Sometimes a girl just wants to hang out without the strain of sexual vibes. Yah know?

That last shot hit me hard. My head was starting to spin and I had the warmest, most delicious feeling building in the pit of my stomach.

The person on my left nudged me. "I think your ringing."

What? "What?"

He leaned in closer. "Ringing! I think your phone was ringing!"

I pulled out the phone in question to find three new text messages. I swiped the screen.

Ethan York: How was the game?

Mason: Hi :)

Ethan York: ?

I smiled at the screen. My finger drawn to one of the contacts in particular.

Me: Aweesme

Me: Awwsom

Ugh. Stupid phones with their tiny little letters.

His text bubble popped up right away.

Ethan York: Haha. Where are you?

Me: at a club

Ethan York: Which one?

I debated not telling him for a minute, but I wasn't going to lie to myself. Feeling the way I did, I wanted to see him more than ever.

I asked the person next to me what the place was called and quickly typed it into my phone before I chickened out.

Me: Ruin

Ethan York: I'll be there in 10

***

I managed to take two more shots before his figure loomed in front of our table. The hood from his sweatshirt was pulled over his head, and he chewed on a lip ring that I'm sure I would have noticed before now.

"Friend!" I yelled, trying to make him laugh and ease the tight lines in his forehead.

"Eve," he responded, looking darkly at the arm resting on the booth behind me. It belonged to the guy who'd heard my phone earlier. "Let's go."

I looked at Sarah and Amy who raised their eyebrows, then back to him. "But I'm having so much fun!"

His exterior stayed hard. His jaw bone looked like it was about to snap in two. "Dance with me then."

I couldn't tell what he was thinking. His mood seemed darker than usual, but I was drawn to him regardless. I scooted out of the booth grabbing one more shot on my way. I sucked it down - pinching my face when it hit my throat. "That tasted like a pine tree," I told Ethan as he took the glass from my hands and pulled me away.

"It seems like I can't leave you alone for a second, can I little Eve?" he said into my ear as we walked down two steps, into a sunken dance floor. It was dark, save for the occasional flashing of neon lights.

"What does that mean?" I huffed, fascinated by the bodies moving around us. I let go of Ethan to peel the sweatshirt over my head. Why was it so fricken hot in here.

"Because," he said. "You seem to attract men like bees to honey you little Nymph."

"They think I'm gay!" I laughed.

He shook his head. "No, they didn't. And even if they did, they don't care. I'd go back there and get your friends too, but honestly, they look like a couple of badass's who can take care of themselves.

He pulled me into his chest with one firm hand on my lower back while he used his other hand to push the black hood off his head. I don't know why that was so sexy, but my tightening nipples told me I liked it. Very much.

He started to move, and I let him guide me. I'd never danced like this before, but it didn't matter. My limbs hardly felt attached to my body at the moment and I felt like everything in the world was possible.

I leaned my head back, closing my eyes.

"How much did you have to drink?" He asked grumpily. My grumpy pants. Mr. Grumpy pants. I giggled.

"That much huh."

"I'm lovely... it's lovey."

"Ok. I know your having fun, but I'm getting you out of here before the happy part fades and the rest of your evening kicks in."

I had no idea what he was talking about, but I nodded. The idea of leaving with him sounded wonderful.

I must have still had my head back, because he suddenly rubbed his nose from the base of my neck, up to my ear. Inhaling. A trail of warmth following the path.

"Mmm..," I moaned. "That feels a-mazing."

He gritted his teeth. "Jesus Eve. You're killing me."

**********

Hey!!!

I'm super curious. What's your favorite hot romance novel on Wattpad? Do we have any After fans? Is anyone excited for the movie? 🙋🏼‍♀️ ❤️
As I screenwriter, I have to say, I get very excited whenever I see adaptations!
imaginator1D congrats! It's gonna be good

On a personal note. Love you guys ;)

Have a great day,

xxxBre

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