“You’re staring,” Reagan says, nudging me with an elbow.
“I know. It’s pathetic. She’s beautiful. Do you know her?”
“No, not really. I’ve seen her around.”
“With Heath?”
She nods. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t think it’s serious. I think it’s lack of options and similar goals.”
“Is the goal not going home alone?”
She laughs. “Yeah, pretty much. And Heath’s a hot commodity, especially now that he’s been drafted.”
“Drafted, like to the NHL?” It clicks before she answers. “I remember Adam saying something about one of his teammates being drafted, but I didn’t realize it was Heath.”
“Heath and Maverick both already signed with teams.” Standing, she slips into her shoes. “Come on, I see Rhett playing flip cup.”
I take one last look at Heath and our eyes catch again. I tear my gaze away first this time and stand. “Let’s do it.”
“College is awesome. A-W-E-S-O-M-E awesome.”
Reagan and Dakota’s laughter is a hazy sound as they help me into Adam’s bed.
“I put a glass of water on the nightstand and your phone on the desk. Do you want help getting changed or at least out of those shoes?” I think it’s Reagan who asks.
My eyes are shut, and their voices are surprisingly similar.
“No, it’s fine. This way I’ll be ready to go to classes in the morning. No getting ready. Voi, voile, I mean voila!”
“Tomorrow is Sunday, sweetie.”
“How did you get so drunk?” Dakota asks. I can tell it’s definitely her this time, the little snort laugh she does gives her away.
“I’m not drunk. Just tipsy and tired.”
“Now I see the family resemblance. You’re as stubborn as your brother. Last time Adam got drunk, he swore he was fine until he fell down the stairs on the way to the bar.”
I’m too tired to laugh, but the image in my head of my bossy and always in control brother tumbling down a flight of stairs is hilarious.
“Okay. Night, Ginny. Sleep tight.”
Their footsteps retreat and one of them flips the overhead light off before the door shuts.
“Wait,” I call, not loudly enough. I groan and sit up, prying open my eyelids. A small strip of light underneath the door is the only thing saving me from total darkness. I get up and look for my phone, but I can’t see anything. I flip the light on and take a deep breath. I still don’t see my phone, but now I need to pee.
I stumble out into the empty living room. Rhett came back at the same time as we did, but he must have gone to bed. I hurry into the bathroom and close the door, then fumble with the light switch.
Only nothing happens. Damn Adam and his inability to change a freaking light bulb. It’s really dark in here and my pulse quickens. I find the door handle, turn and yank, but nothing happens. It’s a standard turn lock, but no matter which way I turn, it doesn’t seem to do anything and my breathing gets more erratic with each failed attempt.
Oh my god, this can’t be happening. I close my eyes to try to trick myself into believing it isn’t as dark as it is, but I’m already panicking too much to fool myself.
I bang on the door. “Little help in here.”
I wait for a few seconds before I try again, this time louder. Rhett’s room is all the way across the apartment, and I have no idea if anyone else is home. I didn’t see Heath when we left, and Mav was going to catch a ride with Adam and Taryn. “Help!”
I slide down onto the floor before my legs can give out and continue banging with both fists. I try counting to focus on something else. One. Two. I’m fine. Everything is fine. Three. Four. Someone will come home any second now.
My hands fall to my lap and I suck in deep breaths. All the fuzzy edges from the alcohol are gone and I’m entirely too sober and aware that I’m trapped in a very dark, small room.
Hot tears roll down my face. I yell as loud as I can through the crying. “Help!”
“Ginny?” Heath’s voice on the other side of the door makes me cry harder. “Are you okay?”
“I can’t get the door open.”
The handle rattles. “It’s locked.”
“I know. It’s too d-dark to see, but I can’t get it open either way I turn it. Could you get Adam?”
“Ginny, I’m going to kick the door open, but I need you to move back out of the way. Maybe step into the shower.”
“O-okay.” I crawl on my hands and knees and sit inside the tub, hugging my knees.
“Are you away from the door?”
“Y-yes.”
A second later the cheap wood door slams in and against the wall and the light from the living room pours in. Heath stands in the doorway frozen as he takes me in, then rushes toward me. “Are you all right?”
I nod even as I shiver and hug my knees tighter. He’s quiet and I’m all too aware of my ragged breaths filling the silence between us. I close my eyes and concentrate on taking slow and even breaths. One, two, three…
“Everything okay?” Rhett asks in that heavy Minnesota accent.
I’m so embarrassed. I wonder if it’s possible to never see any of Adam’s teammates ever again.
“Can you get her a glass of water?” Heath asks Rhett.
My eyes fly open as my space is invaded and Heath climbs into the tub in front of me. He doesn’t exactly fit, and his long legs are bent and flank me on either side. His hands raise to my shoulders and he strokes me gently. “Deep breaths in through your nose.”
Yep, epic proportions of embarrassment.
“Here ya go.” Rhett reappears with water in a big green plastic cup.
Heath takes it and thanks him, while I smile awkwardly.
“Uh, you guys good?” Rhett shifts uncomfortably.
