usual in royal blue skinny jeans and a cream cashmere sweater that contrasts beautifully with his brown skin, he’s all about the man candy, eyes wide, a pleased look on his face as he talks to everyone. Brice, another hockey player, is kicked back in the recliner. I haven’t been around him much, but he’s familiar from the games I’ve been watching on TV.
I still haven’t made it to a home game, mostly because I’ve had to work or study. The closer it gets to law school—even though I technically don’t have one to go to yet—the more I’m pinching every penny. I’m not taking the inheritance from my father. Mara says I’m being stubborn, says I’m letting my pride get in the way, and maybe she’s right. I’d be the first to admit I’m a stubborn person, but when I think back to my childhood, all I see is him not wanting me. I don’t need his money to build a life. I don’t. I’ve been fine all these years without his help, so why start now?
“What’s the movie we’re drinking to?” Eric asks, bringing me back.
“Thor: Ragnarok, one of my favorites,” Z says. “As you may know, there’s a strong resemblance between us.”
“Boo, hiss.” Eric picks up a glass of vodka he poured earlier. “I’m the Viking here.” He pops up and does some air guitar. Completely random. Poppy’s eyes are wide as saucers. Taylor claps.
Z points at him. “For disagreeing with the game person, you must drink!”
“Bold words from someone who’s only drinking water,” Boone says with a grin.
Z slaps him on the back. “That’s so I can play the best hockey in the world.”
“You’re my Thor,” says Eleanor next to Eric, and he gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Z clears his throat. “Okay, here are the rules: we all have to drink when there’s a fight scene, something explodes, there’s a reference to another Marvel movie, Stan Lee pops up for a cameo, or Thor smiles like the sonofabitch he is. Got it?”
“Who determines the winner?” I ask, relaxing into the loveseat, leaving plenty of room for him to join me.
“We don’t usually have a winner, just bragging rights for whoever is able to keep up the longest,” says Eric. “But if you win, you get to pick the next movie.”
“Done!” I say. “Next time we should do a romantic comedy.”
Boone groans.
“Yes! You’ve Got Mail is my favorite! Next weekend,” Poppy says.
I smile. “My future boyfriend will love to watch those movies with me.”
“I’m your boyfriend,” Z quips. “No future about it.”
“I want to see Z watch a rom-com,” Eric says with a snort, and Boone spits his drink out.
Z leans over and kisses me square on the lips. “I’ll watch it with you.”
“Pussy-whipped,” Eric calls, and Z gives him a glare.
“Language, dude. We have ladies present.”
Eric stands and gives us a bow, apologizing very dramatically.
When Z gets up to dim the lights, Eric leans over and gives me a fist bump. “Nice to have you around, babe. I won’t say too much because your man is so jealous of me and my awesomeness he can barely stand it.”
“Stop whispering in my girl’s ear,” Z says, but there’s really no heat there. He plops down next to me and tosses an arm around my shoulders.
Eric holds his hands up. “All we talk about is you.”
“Uh-huh,” Z says. “I know how you work, pulling them in with all the banter and then you pounce.”
“Whatever.” Eric laughs. “But I’m glad to have you back at the house. Been missing your sorry face at night. Long John Silver has even been trying to sleep with me. Crazy cat.”
“I like Sugar’s company better.”
“I bet.” Eric waggles his eyes.
“Watch it,” Z says, his hand on my nape.
Eric leans his head back toward the back of the house where Reece’s bedroom is. “You’ve left me here alone with Reece and Veronica. Not fun.”
“He’ll figure her out soon,” Z says, his expression hardening.
I think back to earlier when Reece and Veronica came in, mumbled brief hellos, and headed to his bedroom. I guess they’ll end up at the Kappa party later, but Z and these guys aren’t going. Those parties create anxiety for Z, and it’s one of the things he’s eliminated.
I don’t want him to eliminate his brother, though. I’m worried about it, trying to put my finger on where it stems from, besides Veronica. It’s deeper than that. At least she’s avoiding me. After the flower incident, Z told her