Chapter One: Girls night out

I shivered, giving in and zipping my jacket closed. Stupid Canadian weather. It was ruining my outfit.

"Come on Willow!" I shoved my hands into my pockets and jogged a few steps to catch up with my friends, who in typical fashion, had accidentally worn coordinated outfits. Since the day I met them, I had affectionately dubbed them "the twins" They didn't look identical as they weren't actually twins, but I was sure they somehow managed to share some weird telepathy power.

Like tonight. None of us had discussed what we were wearing tonight, nor did we get ready together, but somehow these two managed to reverse mirror their outfits. Kirsten had curled her long blonde hair and left it loose so it almost tucked into the cleavage of her lacy black body suit. It was technically lingerie, but modest enough to wear it out to the club. With it she paired her practically painted on red pleather skirt with black heels.

Robin on the other hand curled her own blonde hair, just a few shades darker than Kirsten's, and tied it back in a half-up ponytail style. She wore a non lace and less see through but much lower cut red bodysuit paired with a black miniskirt and red heels the same shade as her top. I still couldn't figure out how she avoided flashing everyone since her painted-on top was cut nearly low enough to see her belly button.

"I'm coming damn it," I laughed. I may have been the tallest out of the three of us, but even my long legs couldn't compare to their "I'm on a mission," pace. Even in their heels. As usual, as the tallest of the three I'd opted for my black chuck Taylors. I'd considered wedges to feel a little more "dressed" but Will had vetoed that decision, as well as my first three outfit choices. As my boyfriend, he wanted me to try and dress "a little more modestly" since it was a girl's night so he wouldn't be out with us. For some reason he thought it was disrespectful for a woman to get dressed up for anyone who isn't her boyfriend. Which usually wasn't a big deal since he hated going out to clubs anyway so we never did, and he hated when my heels made me seem "too tall" for him. Since he started playing for our college Hockey team, the Ravens he'd become obsessed with his image. He was looking to get drafted after all and scouts were everywhere. He'd played his entire life, and making the NHL had been his dream since he was a kid. I understood to a degree so I went along with it. But times like these had me wishing for him to cool it. The twins were drop dead gorgeous and dressed to the nines tonight, but I on the other hand looked still good, yes, but also several levels beneath them.

It had been a topic of discussion lately as every time we went out with the team for celebratory drinks the other guys brought their girlfriends who were always, like the twins, dressed to impress and I was always in flats paired with pants or a "modest enough" skirt, a tame top, and moderate makeup. I could do whatever I wanted with my hair but that was the only outfit decision he let me make on my own. He would always tell me I didn't need to get the attention of every guy in the room, it would make him and myself look bad. He refused to believe that I liked to get dressed up for myself and not every male I could get to look at me. Though I usually dropped the discussion before it could get too far since he didn't believe anything I said. He blamed it on past relationships and being cheated on by girls before. Which was understandable, but you would think that after two years he would trust me by now.

I shook off my thoughts, and followed the girls through the double doors into Club envy, the most popular place around for college students. We stopped briefly at coat check, and stopped into the bathroom for one last outfit check. I adjusted my dark brown hair in its wavy side part, eyeing how my Plum colored V-neck made my cleavage look fantastic. It was just a plain shirt but it was one of my favorite "Borderline" shirts as Will liked to call them. It was tucked into my high waisted black jeans that accentuate my curves nicely. I may have been cursed in the height department, banning me to a life without heels, but at least I had some nice curves to go with it.

With a final nod of approval, we left the bathroom and went straight to the bar. We had downed about three vodka seltzers and a shot of tequila each before making our way to the dancefloor. I always needed a little liquid courage to get myself out on the floor. It kind of came with the territory of knowing you're one of the tallest and most underdressed women in the room. It was something that always came to mind and kept me at the bar top until I had enough to drink that my anxiety could settle. But just like every other time, once I started going, I was fine.

Soon enough, I had a little more than a slight buzz and the three of us were a tangled mess of giggles and limbs as we swayed to the beat pumping through the room. After another round of shots and a few more drinks I was peeling myself away from the twins and cursing myself for breaking the seal.

"I have to pee!" I yelled into Kirsten's ear

She laughed and nodded "Okay! I think I'm going to go make some friends," I followed her gaze to the group of guys sitting at the bar top across from us, at least one of them making suggestive eyes at Kirsten as she scoped them out. I rolled my eyes. So much for the buddy system. Kirsten and Robin were just as bad as each other whenever we went out. They were both single so if they found a suitable "Friend" while out, that became their primary interest. Even though this was supposed to be a girl's night, I had a feeling they would be occupied by the end of the hour and I would be going home early. Again.

I had made it across the room to the edge of the dancefloor, when a hand wrapped around my wrist. I jumped and the had released

"Shit, I'm sorry," The owner of the hand stood up from his seat, keeping a respectful distance. "I was just wondering if- ". I could feel heat rising to my cheeks "Those girls you're with,  are they your friends?" And the heat drops with my heart.

"The blondes? maybe," I smiled. I may be in a relationship, but it would be nice if somebody talked to me for another reason besides getting with my friends. Or my brother. Or my boyfriend. "Which one specifically?" I joked; one eyebrow raised. I knew what his next question would be, but I wasn't going to let him off easy.

He laughed sheepishly "Ponytail princess?" He nodded his head at robin who was now riding solo on the floor, grinning wide and swaying her hips in what can only be described as a one-night stand mating call

"Ha-ha, I like that! Her name is Robin, and yes, she is a friend of mine,"

His eyes lit up, but he seemed somehow even more sheepish than before. "Is she single?"

Well shit. Definitely going home early tonight. This guy was just her type. Honest brown eyes and a Golden retriever attitude. He was doomed before he stopped me to ask.

"Jesus Christ Callum! You pull her aside to ask about her friend? You're a dog!" I flash a quick grin to the three guys seated at the tab le beside us the brunette who I'm assuming made the comment laughed drunkenly, throwing a bottle cap at the back of Callum's head. His eyes widened, and he pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Fuck. I'm sorry I- "

I cut him off with a wave. "Don't worry about it. Yeah, she's single. And an animal lover," I laughed and patted his shoulder as I stepped in the direction of the bathroom. I cracked a grin before turning around and yelling out "Good luck Fido!"

I heard a round of laughter from the table that was now behind me. Thanks to the liquor, the sting I felt from the situation didn't bother me as much as it could have, and I had no shyness left in me to ruin my usually unspoken jokes. I didn't mean to blow my own horn, but I was funny when I wanted to be. I was just so used to being looked over and not at, that I trended to get shy and not draw attention to myself. Unless I was around people I was comfortable with.

While finishing my business in the crowded bathroom, I made the decision to call it a night. I texted will to tell him I would be ready to go in a few minutes, but I could wait and hang out if he was busy. When I emerged from the bathroom I looked around for the twins. Kirsten and her new "friend" were getting R rated on the dance floor, and Robin was having what looked like the same rated conversation with retriever boy at the bar. I sighed, making my way over to them as she dragged her red nails down his chest, peering up at him through her fluttering lashes

"Hey! I'm going to head out," I told her

"Already?" The question would have been a concerned friend response if she could have been bothered to look at me. My good mood was officially gone. Ditched by my friends once again to go home with a guy who doesn't want to take me out either.

"Yeah, Will is going to come get me, Do you guys want a ride later or... ?"

"Hmm I don't plan on going home, so I think we'll be fine," She grinned up at Callum, who turned a light pink as he stared down at her.

I let out a forced laugh. "Alright. Nice to meet you Fido," I nodded at him, though I may as well have been a floor tile for all the attention he paid me. I made my way down to the other end of the bar and decided to order a double shot of tequila. My great mood was quickly fading into a pity party. The one time I get to go out without someone looking over my shoulder and they both ditch me in less than two hours. Silently, I finish my shot and I made my way over to coat check.

"Smoke break?"

I tossed my jacket on while turning to face the stranger beside me who was also grabbing his own coat. He was tall. Easily 6'2 or '3, dark hair and hazel eyes.

"Nah., I quit a while back. The boyfriend isn't a fan," I was starting to think the double was a bad idea. It tipped me over the edge from drunk but not stupid to totally stupid.

"Me too, just not the boyfriend part. Until off season that is," He shot me a half smile, flashing his smokes at me along with a lopsided grin. "Last pack," He nodded to the door before stepping away to open it. "Ladies first," He held their door open for me then followed me outside.

No shivering this time, as the liquor had successfully warmed my body temperature.

"Got a ride home?" He asked, sticking a cigarette between his lips

I was taken aback, looking up at him. "Yeah, uh my boyfriend is giving me a ride home," A flicker of recognition passed through me, irritating me as I couldn't place the face in front of me, though I'd definitely seen him before.

"Bet I can give you a better ride, "he said with a wink.

My eyebrows shot up, my face turning a deep red.

He laughed "Relax, I'm kidding. Mostly" he grinned again, and suddenly I could place him.

"Oh my god," I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, so you're considering it."

"No, I just can't believe I didn't tell you to fuck off instead of a hello,"

He seemed shocked for a moment, but masked it quickly. "And why is that? Also, I don't think I received a hello. I'm a little offended." Did he? I couldn't remember

I sighed, Checking my vibrating phone. 10 Mins. Alright I had ten minutes to sober up  "Chase Andrews," I stated. "Right wing forward, also plays back up defenseman when needed. Doesn't have the highest penalty minutes in the league, not even close, but probably should. One of three top scoring members of the Wolves"

He raised his eyebrows. "So, you've heard about me? And you know my stats. Have we- "

"No, we have not. I'm not on your track sheet of bruised puck bunny egos, and I don't plan to be"' I said making a move to walk away.

"Whoa calm down, killer," He laughed, grabbing my arm. "I'm not trying to take you for a ride," When I raised my eyebrows, he laughed again. "Okay I tried to, but I'm just a guy waiting with a girl who's waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up. A girl who knows too much about me. And hates me for some reason that is not sex related. Help a guy out here," He mock pleaded, taking another drag off his smoke.

"Here, you give me an answer, I'll give you a drag," He held his cigarette out to me and I took it without hesitation. The sober part of me must have been smaller than I thought. I inhaled, not quite enjoying, but not quite hating the familiar feeling of the smoke pulling into my lungs. I handed it back to him, keeping my hand extended.

"Willow Birkett. Chase Andrews, I wish it was a pleasure to meet you,"

His eyes widened for a split second before he started laughing his ass off. "NO fucking way! You're Wyatt's sister!? AND Saunders's girlfriend?"

"Yup. And you are the asshole who tried to get my boyfriend kicked out of the last game, and made it a mission to attack my brother," Our teams were rivals, yet for some reason Will and Wyatt both had personal vendettas against chase, and he against them.

"Holy shit. this is so good," he was still laughing, bent over and pretending to wipe tears from his eyes. Unless they were real tears, in that case I might have to hit him.

"And just for that, I'm keeping this." I snatched the cigarette back from him.8 more minutes.

"All yours babe, all yours."

"Don't call me that."

His laughter had calmed down some, but he appeared to be wiping real tears from his eyes, making me return to my earlier thoughts. It didn't seem that funny to me. He stuck a fresh cigarette between his lips and lit it. I'd seen him around the arena last season, when Will didn't argue with me until I stayed home, but only I'm passing. though with the way most of the games between our teams turned out, I never wanted to stick around long enough to get a good look at him.

"That explains why I saw you around our games last season. Do you always go to your brother's games?"

"Yeah, when I can. I like to watch. I was never any good when I played, but watching is good enough for me now. I don't think I could keep up at this level anyway,".

I wasn't sure why I stuck around to talk to him. I wasn't necessarily his biggest fan either, and being friendly with him was practically unforgiveable. But I was drunk and he had cigarettes and company. Speaking of which.

"You should probably disappear, Will is going to be here soon, and I'm sure that would go over well."

"Aw, come on." He teased. "You've only been with him for what? Six months? Eight? Is he even at the psycho jealous stage yet?"

"Uh, two years thank you."

I expected more teasing, but at this his eyebrows furrowed and his gaze met mine. His stare made me uncomfortable. Not in the "undressing you with my eyes" way, but the "Oh fuck something's wrong" way.

"Oh. Uh. That's great. Sorry." He looked down the street before settling his gaze on the traffic passing by. The sudden change in his demeanor had my heart rate quickening. Even intoxicated I could tell he was hiding something.

"Something tells me you don't mean that." I eyed him up while he shrugged. "Chase?"

"No, it's good. Two years is a long time,"

"So is honesty," I pushed.

He sighed. "Look it's not my job to judge your relationship, if you're happy then fine,"

I tossed my cigarette butt on the pavement, stomping it out. "Say it."

"Nothing to say,"

"I'm drunk not stupid. Say it,"

"It's not my business,"

"But it is mine. Say. It" I had a feeling that all of the intrusive thoughts I'd avoided dealing with up until this point were about to punch me in the face. This was no longer just a friendly conversation.

He met my eyes with pity.

No. this wasn't happening.

"I'm sure you've hurt the feelings of a hundred different women, I'm no different,"

He sighed, taking the final drag of his smoke and tossing it on the ground. "There were a few times we wound up at the same place at the same time and I always saw him with girls. . . and they weren't you. Maybe it was while you guys were on a break or something?"

"They?" last year. We were together last season. And we were never on a break. Not once in two years.

He sighed. "They,"

I shook my head. "No."

A car horn sounded and I jumped, realizing how close I'd been standing to Chase. I turned around to see Will's blue Honda parked at the curb, with him climbing out of it. He was immediately angry when he saw us there together and stormed his way over.

"Andrews? What the fuck is going on here?" He snapped. There was a hand on my arm, then I was being pulled back.

Chase met my eyes and shrugged "Nothing, just some friendly conversation. Since her friends ditched her and you couldn't be bothered to come here with her. Figured someone should stay with her until your sorry ass showed up,"

Will laughed. "Because you're such a gentleman," He sneered. "I can think of at least a dozen women, most of them probably inside this club right now that could disagree with that statement," He turned around to face me, steering me towards the car.

"Yeah, and half a dozen of those are on your list too, I heard you like leftovers."

"Fuck you, Andrews!"

And with that he shoved the door open and me inside of it. I shot Chase a half wave as He stormed around to his side and got in, gunning it as soon as he had an opening,

He made it thirty seconds down the road before he started "What the hell was that, Willow!?"

I looked at him incredulously. "Excuse me? He waited outside with me so I wouldn't have to wait for you alone! Kirsten and Robin ditched me to hookup! Are you even going to deny it!?"

"Deny what? I wasn't there, I don't know what stupid shit your friends do! And you know better. Some dude hanging around you at a bar sees nothing more than A girl dressed like a whore looking to get railed!"

I gaped at him. "A whore!? This," I snapped, gesturing to my outfit "Is modest! The girls in the club are all practically naked! And from what I hear, you're into that!"

"Oh, so because the biggest asshole in the league says so, that means it's true? He would do anything to start shit with us! He says I'm cheating so it just he true?"

"You didn't deny it! And cheating was your first thought?" I cried. Although this was the first time I heard anything like this about Will, there had been some questioning looks when I started the school year here and was introduced as his girlfriend, some of them becoming glaringly obvious when they were told we had been going steady for two years.

Tears filled my eyes and I blinked quickly trying to get rid of them.

"I shouldn't have to! He doesn't know anything about me, but you do!" H took a deep breath, bringing his voice down to a reasonable level. "I've been with you for two years Willow. He doesn't know the first thing about me, but you know everything,"

"Do I?" I asked. "You wouldn't allow me to come and visit last year! You never wanted me to come to your games, I had to drive myself every time, and you wouldn't see me afterwards unless it was outside of the arena! Was that just so you could cheat on me?"

"Baby, I did not cheat on you. I swear. Chase is using you to get to me. Fuck he's probably trying to get in your pants to throw off my game. I'm in love with you willow. I only want you. You're it for me,"

I looked over at him across the car, chest heaving while I tried to calm down. I wanted to believe Will, but the story I was putting together in my head made perfect sense. I wanted so badly for it to not be true. I thought we had a pretty good relationship. We never yelled at each other like this, and he sounded so sincere.

His eyes met mine briefly before returning to the road. His eyes were glassy, hair ruffled wildly above them from running his hands through it. He swallowed, the strain in his neck muscles becoming more obvious. He was so angry he was sweating, the collar of his shirt was slightly damp and. . . Pink? I stayed silent for a moment, reaching over and tugging at his collar like I had done a million times since he can never get it straight on his own. I leaned a little closer, using the streetlights to have a good look. And yet it still didn't look any different. It was ¾ of a lip print, now stained into his white shirt. And I only wore dark neutrals and reds.

Chase was right.

"Oh yeah? What's on your collar then?"

Three beats of silence.

"What? Did I spill something? I drank some wine tonight at dinner," He was too calm, trying too hard for nonchalance

I felt the tears rising in my throat, but I forced myself to keep my voice neutral. Two can play at this game. If he wanted to feel nothing, then I didn't need to tell him how much it hurt. So I would be angry instead.

"Red wine? On your neck?"

"Yeah, I must have spilled some or something." He swallowed again.

"That's weird. Red wine isn't pink or shaped like a set of lips, Will."

"What are you talking about? You're seeing things," he swiped at his neck with his forearm, trying to clear it away but kept missing. Weird that he knew exactly where it was but couldn't remember how it got there.

"Pull over and look for yourself then,"

"I'm not pulling over to take my shirt off,"

"Pull over and let me di it, then,"

"Willow. Baby please,".

"Pull the fucking car over right now!" My façade cracked. I couldn't fake the calm anymore. I was going to breakdown and he didn't deserve to see it.

"Will- "

"NOW!"

He pulled the car off to the shoulder, throwing it in park. As I unbuckled my seatbelt, he reached over to grab my face in his hands but I shoved him away from me. "We are done,"

I got out of the car and slammed the door. "So what? Chase tells you I cheated and you just go with it? How do I know you're not the one cheating on me! One conversation with Andrews and you're making shit up in your head to break up with me? How long have you been sleeping with him!?"

I didn't even bother responding to that one, or to the several other nastier insults he yelled out the window as he slowed the car to a crawl beside me. It only took a few minutes of silence on my part for him to give up and gun the engine, flying down the road while I settled in for my sad walk home.