Chapter 10

MILA

I'm tired. My entire body is achy. I think I have PMS. I have to track my cycle. I should do that more often. Or at least, you know, have an idea. God, what is wrong with me? I'm in such a bad mood. I want to punch someone.

My phone vibrates and it's a text from Ward.

I groan.

He's on his way over.

I groan even louder.

I just want a night in. I want to wear comfy pajamas and watch dumb shows or dumb movies. I want to eat cookies like calories don't count. I'm dreaming of some wine too, but whatever, I'll take what I can get. Just the idea of me being in bed, curled up, just… relaxing.

Oh, here's one better… take all of the above and add Ward to it.

I could not remember the last time Ward and I just hung around and acted lazy.

Like literally did nothing.

Put on a show. Look at each other. Have sex. Laugh. Fall asleep. Wake up. Put on a movie. Look at each other. Have sex…

My body is almost tingling just thinking about that.

Ward and I can rinse and repeat the entire thing all night long.

I need a break after the week I've had too.

Okay, now I'm excited. Really excited.

Now I can't wait for Ward to get here.

I even start to pace at the door.

Ward has this dog fantasy… no. Wait. That sounds weird. He has this ‘thing' about me kind of waiting and begging for him…

Ward finally shows up.

He's on his phone.

He holds out one finger and walks right by me toward the bedroom.

"Dude, yes," he says. "I just got to Mila's. Yeah. No worries at all. Nah. We won't be late. I'll show up alone if I have to."

Ward looks back at me and winks.

"Gotta go," he says. "Later."

Ward bites his bottom lip, but not in a sexy way.

At all.

"Ward," I say.

"Come on, Mila."

"I wanted a night in. Just us. Movies. Shows. Food. Sex."

"Aw, Mila, come here…" Ward walks toward me. He touches my arms. "Everything you just said, especially the sex part, will happen tonight. There's a rally going on. Hockey stuff. You know how much I hate hockey. So for me to want to go…"

"Ward, I don't know."

"Okay, I'm leaving for this party. It's going to be killer. You can meet me there. You can put yourself together."

"Ward, hold up. Just stay here. With me. Skip this one. Let's just have a night alone together. We need it."

"Mila, I'm not in college to sit around, okay? We can do that when we're older."

Ward kisses my cheek.

Then he takes off.

I turn my head and stare at the door.

My phone vibrates.

Don't say no… to a party…

It's from Violet.

Of course she and Ruby will be going.

It's a hockey thing.

Ruby texts me next.

I know you read Violet's text. Now you're reading mine. Don't be a nerd.

I shake my head.

I feel like the whole world is against me.

Is it that wrong to want to just have a night off and relax?

I sigh and hurry into my room and grab a hoodie.

That's it. That's the best the world gets from me.

Not that I'm out to impress anyone.

I have a boyfriend.

Don't I?

I cringe at that thought and text Violet and Ruby to meet up with me.

We meet outside the library twenty minutes later.

"She showed up!" Ruby calls out.

"Look at me," I say. "So happy."

"Where's Ward?" Violet asks.

"Already at the party," I say. "He went and told me to meet him."

"So he'll be good and drunk by the time we get there," Ruby remarks.

"I don't even want to go! Okay?"

I start to get in Ruby's face and Violet pulls me away.

Violet keeps herself between Ruby and I as we walk to the party.

It's not hard to find.

Follow the noise. Follow the people.

And, look… a party…

"Come on," Violet says, grabbing my hand. "I want to see what they're going to do for the guys!"

She's bubbly and excited to see Mac.

Good for her.

We go into another frat house and it's like the same scene as always.

Oh, I'm definitely PMSing hard here. Everything is making me miserable.

The music is crappy. Kind of too loud.

Everyone is bothering me.

The sluts are too slutty.

The muscular guys have too many muscles.

I don't even bother looking for Ward because quite frankly I did not want to deal with him drunk tonight.

Someone offers me a drink.

I slap it out of their hands.

"Why take it? So you can drug me? Fuck off."

For the record, it was a girl who handed me the drink.

Even still… I don't take drinks from strangers.

I kind of sulk in a corner and listen as some frat boys talk over the music, praising the hockey team.

Next thing I know some of the guys are walking by and being introduced.

Then I remember what's up.

Puckford must be playing Laterden.

Sworn enemies.

The Pirates against the Buccaneers.

Yes, seriously. That's a thing.

Mac grabs Violet and gives her a big kiss.

Gabriel points at Ruby and she waves a middle finger back at him.

There's Villi. There's Knox.

Oh, look… no Jax…?

I'm suddenly intrigued.

Then I start to worry.

What if Ward found out that Jax looked at my ass. Would he get some guys together and…

I have no idea where Ward is right now.

Jax is missing.

Oh. Shit.

My heart jumps up into my throat.

I turn to make a calm exit to…

I freeze and gasp.

Jax is standing right behind me.