Page 6 of Rookie Moves

See? I’m a rock star here.

Placing my hand on Colby’s shoulder, I give it a gentle squeeze and lean in closer so he can hear me over the loud music. “Try to take your mind off those assholes, and have some fun. You’ve just won the conference final, Colbs! Enjoy it.”

“I’ll try.” He gives me a small smile, then his attention is dragged to where a pink-haired girl waves at him from the kitchen, and he disappears into the crowd.

The urge to follow him spikes, but before I can take a step forward and act on it, Liam appears at my side. He throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me over to where they’re setting up beer pong in the dining room.

“You’re on my team,” he tells me, shoving a red Solo cup into my hand. “We can’t have the fucking lacrosse team winning again. They won’t let us live it down.”

“Yeah, sure, bud.” I nod, patting his chest, then try my best to put Colby and the whole situation to the back of my mind and focus on the beer pong.

We win two rounds, lose the third, and during the fourth round, I’m unable to tear my eyes away from Colby as I catch him throwing back drink after drink. His eyes have turned a little glassy, cheeks flushing a light shade of pink. He tips his head back and laughs at something some guy says, but the tension he wore earlier has returned, lining his neck and shoulders, and you’d have to know him well to know that the smile he’s currently wearing is somewhat forced.

I know it, because I see him.

All the fucking time.

Everywhere I go, my attention always falls on Colby McKay. It’s hard not to. From his messy, blond hair to his hazel eyes that change color depending on his mood and energy levels. When he’s pumped, they turn golden, sparkling like citrine, but when he’s tired, they’re more chestnut brown with only flecks of gold.

He’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen, but it isn’t his skill on the ice that has me captivated with him whenever he’s around.

It’s him. His aura. His gentle smile and vulnerability that he tries so hard to keep hidden.

“What’s up, Becksy?” Liam asks, snagging my attention away from Colby. “You seem a li’l distracted tonight. Someone caught your attention?” He wiggles his brows suggestively.

“Nah.” I lie with a shake of my head. “Nothing like that. Just keeping an eye on our superstar.”

Liam frowns, raising his head to look around.

“You mean McKay? Why, where is he?”

My eyes snap back to where Colby last was, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

Fuck.

Excusing myself from my roommate, I squeeze through the throngs of people, ignoring the knot of panic forming in my chest.

A flash of blond heading toward the front door catches my attention. He’s unsteady on his feet, gliding his hand along the wall to stabilize himself. He’s a lightweight at the best of times, but given the high-intensity game we’ve just played, his body is going to be struggling with the amount of alcohol he’s consumed.

Fuck. Did I mess up by inviting him here?

I follow him outside and find him sitting on the steps leading to the sidewalk. He’s resting his head against the brick pillar, stretching his legs out in front of him. Worry pools in the pit of my stomach.

I close the door behind me, blocking out the music, and take a tentative step closer. His eyes are closed, and the deep crease between his brows has me taking another step.

“Colbs?” I ask quietly, not wanting to startle him. “You good?”

He slowly opens his eyes and tips his head to look up at me. Those hazel eyes lock onto mine, and a rush of warmth spreads through my chest.

He’s so fucking gorgeous.

And so fucking tipsy, I have to stop myself from smiling as he slurs his words.

“Yeah, I’m okay. I just…” He holds his hand out, but it flops to the side. He tries to hold it up again, but it’s like his wrist is made of jelly. “I needed some space. It was starting to feel like a lot in there.”

I take another step, inching closer, and point to the spot next to him.

“Can I sit with you?”