Number Eleven

Chapter 7.

Ava POV

Running into my bedroom like a complete maniac, I head straight for my closet.

The celebratory parties are always held at Adam's parent's house, considering they're literally never home. I guess it's lucky for the team, but I can't help but hurt for Adam. I know what it's like to be lonely and I know for certain that he is. Whether he chooses to ever admit it or not. 

Luckily, my constant need to be prepared for everything has saved me once again from a night of flying clothes and frustrated groans as I already thought ahead and planned my outfit before we left for the game.

I start quickly shedding my clothes and slip a black bralette over my head, my fingers digging into my ribs as the lacey material scratches at my skin. My off the shoulder, cropped shirt slides on much easier as the mesh material slides down my chest with little to no effort. After I tug on my high waisted leather pants, which according to Morgan help accentuate whatever curves I have, I slide on my lace-up heels and let out a tired breath. 

I decide on leaving my long brown hair down the way it is and throw on a plain black cloth choker to match just as Morgan comes strolling in my room.

"Looking fuckable girl. Loverboy won't be able to keep his hot self off of you."

Now wouldn't that be something?

"Now c'mon, tell me how hot do I look?" Doing a 360 twirl in front of me, I realize it's times like this that I am completely and utterly jealous of her. I guess this is karma for not going to the gym with her every morning, but I mean, I don't function before nine in the morning so what really is a girl to do?

She's wearing an oversized Metallica shirt with frayed shorts that show off her slim tan legs. Black thigh highs and a big jean jacket finish the look. She decided to wear her signature dark red lipstick and has her hair thrown up in a messy ponytail with pieces sticking out in the front, framing her face.

"Do you even need my validation?" I raise a brow and watch as she gives herself another once over in the mirror. "You're right. I know I look hot."

God, I would die for this girl's confidence.

"I need to do a tequila shot before we leave," I declare with a huff before I head off to the kitchen and pour us both a shot. We do our countdown from three and slam back the clear poison.

"We're all meeting at Adam's, you still have clothes there or do you need to grab some?"

We usually all end up crashing in one of the spare rooms after a team party, easy right?

"I think I should have some still, if not I'll steal Adam's like I usually do. You ready?"

"I was born ready." 

I lock the front door behind us with a giggle before we link arms and head downstairs to wait for our Uber.

~~~

The music is so loud when we arrive that I can feel the bass pulsing at my feet through the concrete as soon as we step out of the car.

The sight of Adam's family mansion never fails to amaze me.

My parent's house is by no means small. Compared to most homes it's quite big, but they decided that they would rather spend their money on my brother and I rather than having a bunch of pointless fancy possessions. To each their own, I suppose.

We walk past the countless drunks who are already throwing up and stumbling around in the bushes, and the frat boys playing beer pong on one of the large white tables scattered along the driveway as we make our way inside the front door.

"To the kitchen!" I yell over the music.

As we start to weave our way in and out of the hot and sticky crowd, I have to force myself to keep walking and not turn around and run away while I still have the chance. I never remember how much I dislike these parties until I'm already here.

Too many minutes later we finally get to the kitchen, the space opening up to allow us some much-needed breathing room.

"Finally! I almost suffocated in that damn crowd. I need a drink ASAP." 

Morgan heads off to the drink table while I look around, thankfully spotting a waving Adam leaning against the back wall not long after. 

A red hoodie is tossed over his broad torso, paired with black knee-length shorts. His dark brown hair is secured under a baseball cap, and his deep chocolate eyes meet mine with a happy gleam.

I get handed a cup full of what smells like some sort of vodka drink from Morgan and send her a quick thank you before we make our way towards the guys.

Matt greets his girlfriend by pulling her into him and whispering something in her ear that makes her face turn bright red.

"Damn sexy what's your name? Do I know you?" Adam asks with a knowing smirk on his face, trailing his hand up and down my back. I roll my eyes but decide to go along with his little game.

"OMG, are you, Adam White? The starting left-winger on the Saints? I just loved you in tonight's game." Twirling a strand of hair around my finger, I use my other hand to reach out and grab his overly large bicep. God, this is so cringy. How can girls willingly do this?

"You had me until you mentioned being a left-winger. No puck bunny would know that much about hockey, you rookie. Solid effort though, babe." 

He uses the hand that was rubbing my back to pull me in for a hug and I step into it without hesitation.

Adam hugs are the best hugs. Mark my words. I rest my head against his chest due to the considerable height difference, as I am sadly just five-foot-five, and wrap my arms around his waist with a quick squeeze before stepping back to take a sip of my drink.

~~~

An hour, five shots of tequila, and two rounds of beer pong later, we've managed to move out to the massive backyard. Matthew and Morgan are laying together on a hammock strung from a large Oak tree, while Adam and I stand beside the house, arguing whether or not pineapple should be allowed on pizza. Something I'm sure we've argued about more times than I can probably count right now.

"You can't honestly tell me fruit belongs on pizza? With meat?" Adam scrunches up his nose and gags.

I scoff, "If you wanna go the fruit direction, then why are tomatoes allowed? Got you there, didn't I?"

When Adam doesn't answer, I notice he's glaring at something behind me. As I turn to search for whatever caused his drastic mood change, I feel arms wrap around me from behind and am immediately surrounded by a familiar smell of cologne. I find myself relaxing back into the body behind me and relish at the sudden feeling of safety and security that washes over me.

What the heck Ava, stranger danger! I snap out of my trance and quickly jump away from the mystery person.

"Calm down energizer bunny. It's just me." I hear a familiar chuckle behind me and whip my body around to see a very handsome looking Oakley. A navy blue t-shirt hugs his chest, leaving almost no muscle to the imagination, and a pair of black jeans cover his thick hockey thighs.

I feel my mouth start to water embarrassingly before I hear Adam mumble something about going to talk to one of the guys. When I turn around again to say goodbye he's already halfway across the yard. 

What crawled up his butt and died?

I shake it off and shift my attention back to the guy staring down at me. I know I'm wearing a huge grin as I throw my arms around his neck and squeeze the life out of him.

Now, if I didn't already have a lot of alcohol in my system, there would be no way in hell I would have jumped on a guy I literally barely know. Thankfully though, he responds almost immediately and wraps me in his arms, pulling me in tight and holding me there against him.

"You came. I was starting to worry you stood me up." I pull back and grin up at him.

"Wouldn't dream of it, beautiful. I got a call from my sister on my way here. I just had to take care of some stuff."

"Is she okay? Nothing bad, I hope." 

He shakes his head before grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers together.

"Apparently she has a new boyfriend. She would get one as soon as I'm not there to chaperone anymore. I called my buddy Andre to check him out for me." 

I burst out laughing at his adorable brotherly protective nature.

"You did not ask your friend to stalk your sister's boyfriend! Don't try and tell me that's not what you asked him; I have a big brother too." I try and make my tone come off as serious as I can while folding my arms across my chest.

"Of course, I did! You have a brother, so you understand why I need to know all about this guy! If he's anything like my friends, it's a huge nope from me." 

It's too hard to stay serious with how cute he's being and I end up bursting out in a fit of giggles.

"Alright, let's save this conversation for a later time. Come dance with me hotshot."

"Yes, ma'am."