CAUGHT BETWEEN THE HOCKEY BROTHERS

Chapter 2 - Arianna

My best friend !?

Luca was hooking up with my best friend?

I just stood there in silence.

Camille’s legs were wrapped around Luca’s waist .

He thrusted into her .

Again.

And again .

Camille let out another breathless moan.

“Luca….”

That was when he froze .

His head turned slowly towards the door.

Our eyes met .

Everything stopped .

“Ari?”

Camille turned .

The moment she saw me , her eyes widened .

She immediately pushed Luca away and straightened up her dress .

The music downstairs suddenly sounded so far away .

My eyes dropped to Luca .

Then to Camille .

She knew all along about how I felt about Luca .

My throat tightened.

“You…”

“Ari, wait!”

I stepped backwards.

“What the hell?”

“Arianna I can explain… it’s not what it looks like .”

“Don’t”

My voice cracked.

Camille froze .

Of all people .

Camille .

I could have understood anyone else .

But her?

“How could you ?” I whispered.

Camille’s eyes filled with panic .

“It wasn’t supposed to..”

“Don’t f*****g lie to me “

The words came out louder than I expected.

Luca pulled up his pants .

“Ari ,calm down “

I stared at him then laughed .

“Calm down ?”

“You are telling me to calm down !?”

Luca stepped toward me .

I immediately backed away.

“Don’t come near me “

Camille came closer to me .

“Ari please just listen to me.”

“Listen to what ?” My eyes already glossy.

She opened her mouth but nothing came out .

There was nothing she could say .

“You knew .”

Camille looked away .

“You knew how I felt about him.”

“For years.”

My voice shook.

I suddenly felt stupid .

So unbelievably stupid.

“We didn’t know you would come up here .”

That was his explanation.

My face went cold .

“That was not what I meant.”

“Save it.”

I turned around .

“Arianna please.”

Camille called after me.

I didn’t stop .

I kept on walking .

By the time I reached the stairs I was practically running .

I pushed through the crowd .

Grabbing 2 bottles of beer from the bar .

I needed to get out .

I pushed open the front and stepped outside .

As the cold air hit my face that was when I broke down .

The tears just came.

One after the other .

I wiped them away angrily .

“I’m so dumb “ I whispered.

I walked away from the house .

Every step I took , I gulped down the beer I had.

I had no idea where I was going .

I just didn’t want to be anywhere there .

“Arianna?”

I ignored the voice .

I lifted the bottle towards my lips again.

“Sinclair!”

A hand suddenly took the bottle from me.

“Who the f**k do you think you are ?” I snapped.

Roman Valmont stood in front of me .

I blinked .

Once.

Twice.

Even in the dark he looked annoyingly cool.

“What are you doing to yourself ?”

“Give it back to me.”

I tried reaching for it .

He lifted it higher .

I stared at him .

Then at his stupidly tall body.

“Go to hell.”

He looked at me for a long moment.

“What exactly happened ?”

The question caught me off guard .

“Nothing.”

His expression didn’t change .

“You are walking down the street alone .”

“Maybe I like walking down the street alone .”

“You like walking with tears in your eyes?”

I quickly wiped my eyes.

Before I knew it .

Roman had forced my head on his shoulder .

“If you are gonna cry , cry now .”

Without thinking I burst into tears.

Roman didn’t ask any other question.

He just patted my head while I cried so hard.

I respected him for that .

“Let’s get you home .”

“Where?”

“Home.”

“I don’t want to go home .”

“Then don’t .”

I was confused .

“You can stay at my place tonight .”

“What!?”

“Don’t make it sound weird .”

“I said you COULD spend the night at my place if you wanted to.”

“We barely even know each other .”

He looked amused.

“Is that what you think?”

I stared at him plainly.

“If you want to go back home , you can .”

“I’m not going back there .”

“Then make up your mind .”

For a moment , neither of us spoke.

Then he held out his hand.

“Come with me .”

I looked at his hand.

Then at him.

“Just for tonight ?”

“Just for tonight .”

I hesitated but I didn’t really have any other choice.

I placed my hand in his .

Roman’s fingers closed around mine.

Warm and firm .

And for some reason, safe.

“Okay.” I whispered.