Chapter 8
1068 Words
Kimberly:
I had expected the party to be crowded but nothing prepared me for the sheer mass and calibre of people that were present.
Athletes, students, and drop-dead gorgeous women who somehow could not keep their hands to themselves, rubbing Noah's shoulders under the guise of congratulating him.
" Good job! This is your party. Keep playing this way and you will be the youngest signed host of the international hockey team. I'm so proud of you" one man walked up to him saying, his hands clasping on his shoulder for that friendly bro hug that I had gotten a little too used to seeing.
I just stood there awkwardly, watching Noah interact with them like he had been there all his life while I watched, wishing the ground would open and swallow me, or at least, I would be allowed a drink to clear my head.
" Noah! Here I poured you a drink. You are the man of the hour you know?" A stunning woman said, her hands finding their way to his while he subtly pulled her away, his hands reaching to pull me into him.
I stiffened, still not used to his touch as my cheeks heated up under the thankfully dim lights.
I saw a look of irritation flicker on the woman's face as she finally acknowledged my presence.
" Oh, you are here with your...."
" Girlfriend. And thank you for the drink but I would rather not"
She hummed, giving him a flirtatious smile before flashing me what could only be called a glance.
" You should both enjoy the party then" she said but her body language said more than her mouth did.
She did not think I belonged there.
" Come on. Let's go meet my team. It will be suspicious if I don't introduce you to them" he muttered into my ear.
I stifled the urge to roll my eyes, suddenly feeling out of place with my dress and wishing I had just gone shopping instead for something more elaborate.
Regardless, we walked over to where his team was having shots, their voices ringing with laughter as they downed another bottle of vodka that they passed around.
" There he is! The man of the hour!" One of them shouted the minute he saw both of us, drawing the attention of the whole team to us as I wished the ground would open and take me with it.
" I see you all started the fun without me" Noah mused, a small smile playing on his face.
" Start the fun without Noah Russo? Never. We can never do that. We were just warming up. And since you are here now...we can fully start" another said, giving him a tackling hug as they cackled with laughter.
Maybe if I snuck away silently....
" And I was beginning to think you won't introduce this beauty to us." One said and almost instantly, the attention turned to us.
I gulped.
" Yes ..that is why we are here. This is my girlfriend Kimberly. I'm sure you saw her at the game" he said, his hands wrapping around my waist and almost on instinct, I put on a smile, hoping it looked genuine enough.
It did.
" Well look at Noah Russo finally deciding to become a family man and settle down?! Who would have thought you would hide such a stunning creature from us until you both became official?"
The comments kept flowing in, overwhelming me slightly as I felt their eyes ogling at me with teasing looks and glances, my body feeling rigid.
" So are you going to attack him again? That was sick, you know? Watching someone hit Noah" one of them joked and the whole table went up with an uproar of laughter.
My heart sank. I did not know how I felt about being the butt of the joke but it was definitely not good.
" That is enough guys. Let's stop the joke there." Noah said suddenly, his grip on my waist tightening as he pulled me into him.
I raised my eyes to stare at him in mild astonishment. Did he notice I was feeling uncomfortable?"
" Oh, we are sorry Kimmy. We just joke a lot like that and I know it's not something you would be used to easily. Enjoy the party and feel free to ask for anything if you need anything" one of the members said.
I gave him a small smile.
" I will, thank you," I said simply.
" I will go get her a drink. Don't get too drunk without me" Noah said before he turned around, dragging me along to the bar.
As the bar came into view, a small pit of joy bubbled in my chest.
Maybe he will finally let me order a drink?
" She will have the juice please, " he told the bartender.
My jaw gaped.
" No she would not. I prefer tequila " I said stubbornly, folding my hands across my chest.
His hands pulled me into him, his lips a few inches from my ears.
" Don't f*****g dare me. We talked about this already " he said curtly.
I felt my smile fade, anger replacing that hope as I slumped into my chair, trying to maintain a fake smile as if he did not just threaten me.
" You know what? I will take the juice instead" I said.
I did not like the juice. It did not have the kick I wanted and halfway through, all I wanted to do was bend my head into a toilet bowl and puke it all out.
" You don't seem to like it much" he observed.
I rolled my eyes.
" Yh no s**t Sherlock" I whispered.
I watched his eyes soften for a minute before they went back to that rigid clump of uncare..
" Come, let me take you somewhere," he said.
I turned to stare at him but he was already getting up, beckoning me to do the same and in this party, I had nothing to do. No booze, no fun.
What's the worst that could happen?
I allowed him to navigate me through the crowd and just then, a body intercepted us, anger and disgust clearly written on his face.
Ryan. Wait, what was Ryan doing at a party for the ice hawks?
- Writer
