Page 24 of The Heart Breaker

Yeah. I’m going out after all.

I’m not letting Chase control my life anymore. I need a drink, some fun, and to get out of my own head for a few hours.

10

COLE

Iwasn’t planning to set foot in a bar tonight. After practice, I should’ve gone straight home, showered, and pretended I don’t have a stack of assignments due next week.

But when Austin mentioned something about coming out to have a drink later, for some reason, it stuck in my head. I turned him down, even after he told me Aurora probably wouldn’t show since she’s been skipping out on everyone lately.

But eating cold pizza alone, watching some bullshit late-night rerun I’ve already seen three times gets old fast. There are only so many nights a guy can stare at the same four walls before the silence starts feeling suffocating. So I grabbed my jacket and left before I could change my mind.

As soon as I push through the door, I’m hit with loud people and louder shitty music—none of which is my thing. This place looks like it hasn’t been renovated in a long time, but it has alcohol, so that’s good enough for me.

Most of the guys are here already, crowded into a corner booth, all paired off like always. Austin’s got Maisie beside him, and Ryan’s got Isabella tucked under his arm. Logan’s… single…I think? Nathan’s nowhere to be seen—probably stayed home and got some rest.

I like Nathan. Would never admit it to his face, but I respect the hell out of him. I can’t even imagine the pressure he feels being the coach’s son, but he wears it on his chest proudly and plays a hell of a game.

Plus, he’s quiet, unlike Austin, who’s currently making his way toward the bar. He spots me and does a double take, his eyebrows shooting up. “Well, shit,” he calls out, that stupid grin already in place. “Look who’s slumming it with us tonight.”

I grunt, turning my attention to the bar.

Austin chuckles, sliding in next to me. “Didn’t think you were coming.”

I glance over at him. “Just came for a drink. Don’t pop a boner.”

He claps a hand to my shoulder and laughs. “I like seeing you out with us, man. You wanna play darts?”

I just arch a brow.

Austin smirks, already backing off. “Didn’t think so. Worth a shot.”

He grabs two beers off the bar and glances back as he heads to the group. “You’re always welcome, though. Even if you just wanna stand there and look scary.”

Austin heads back toward the rest of the group, and I let out a quiet sigh, tap the bar to get the bartender’s attention, and order a beer. I slide the bill across the counter, pop the cap off, and take a long gulp.

Because what else am I going to do? Go home and stare at my ceiling until my phone lights up with something I don’t want to see? No thanks.

Half the campus is here, laughing, drinking, playing games like they’ve got zero real problems in their lives.

Must be nice.

I take a slow pull from the bottle, letting the cold settle behind my ribs. Helps quiet the worry that’s been sitting there all damn day. I told Sophie to text me when she got home. That was hours ago and I still haven’t had a response. Could be nothing. Usually is nothing. Except the days it isn’t. I swipe my thumb across the screen, my heart in my chest, hoping to see a message. Still nothing.

I pocket my phone because staring at it isn’t going to change anything, and I take another sip, making my shoulders loosen, just an inch.

I lift my head and sweep the room again, mostly out of habit, until my gaze catches on a familiar shade of hair by the pool table.

So much for her not showing up tonight.

I take another sip, feeling my body tense.

I came here for a beer, not to watch Viper flirt with some guy who looks like he belongs in a frat.

But my eyes keep dragging back anyway, drifting down her long, bare legs, looking even longer in that short skirt and heeled boots that make my hand tighten around the bottle.

She lets out a laugh at whatever dumb shit frat boy says, looking nothing like the girl in the club that night. She’s soft and cheery and… giggly.