Epilogue

Epilogue

2more months later…

Mo

It feels good to be back.

Looking around the poorly decorated banquet room, the scene looks identical to last year’s lacrosse banquet and all the banquets before that. Taber dresses up the gymnasium to look semi-decent while athletes get respectably drunk in front of parents and guardians before throwing all respectability out the window the second their family members leave.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Mason’s flaming red hair comes into my line of sight, and I hold back a grimace.

“Mason. Good to see your grades kept you around a while longer.”

He grins like one of those annoying people who don’t get offended, “Didn’t want the shift from captains to be too dramatic after you left. Did you hear your protégé is giving up the title you so-kindly bestowed on him?”

What a dick.

“What Ellsworth does or doesn’t do with his team has nothing to do with me.” I nod towards the banner hanging next to the awards table, “Besides, it looks like he managed to get the job done even with your old ass holding back the team.”

Mason laughs, “He sure did. Couldn’t tell you how he pulled that one off, but he did.”

I give him a cool nod before walking away. Some guys work their asses off, receive nothing in return, and take it like a champ. Mason was one of those people who got a chip on his shoulder whenever he was passed over for an award.

I have no patience for those people.

Girls smile in my direction as I make my way over to Stella and Cody’s table, the coy looks and suggestive winks doing nothing to spark my interest. It’s been a while since anyone intrigued me enough to take a second glance, but that doesn’t stop me from pasting a smile on my face whenever someone looks my way.

I find my sister and Cody chatting amiably with another couple nearby. Cody’s arm is wrapped protectively around Stella’s waist, but I manage to spot the tattoo peeking out between the slit in her two-piece dress.

Falling beside Stella, I lean down to whisper in her ear.

“You’re showing a lot of skin tonight.”

She grins, shifting a long braid over her shoulder, “I’m working my way up to a bikini.”

“Not for next year’s banquet, I hope.”

My sister laughs, looking more relaxed than I have seen her in a long time.

“Pretty sure father would disown me. Cody is planning a Banff getaway for us this summer, so the goal is to hit the hot springs wearing as little material as possible.”

I chuckle, “In that case, keep the trip photos to yourself. There is only so much of you I want to see.”

Stella slaps my arm, “Be nice.”

Rambunctious laughter breaks out behind us, and we turn to see two rookies throwing chocolate covered fruit at each other. I raise my eyebrows and Stella sighs next to me.

“Don’t be a douche, Mo.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

She points at my expression, “Your face says it all.”

Smoothing out my features, I give her a smile, “Better?”

“Much.” Stella turns and rejoins the conversation around us while I observe the food fight going on in the corner. It’s not so much a food fight as a try-and-catch-this-piece-in-your-mouth contest. I recognize the guy snatching fruit out of the air as Lou’s boyfriend, Wes. The other one, the tall Latino throwing the food, is vaguely familiar but I don’t immediately place him.

I sigh, turning away from the public display of immaturity and find Cody watching me closely.

“Yes?”

“You’re looking good.”

A smirk tugs my lips, “Ellsworth, you know I always look good.”

Cody grins, “I meant you’re looking lighter.”

“Are you calling me fat?”

He rolls his eyes, “Between you and your sister, I don’t know who likes to argue more. You seem less tense than the last time I saw you. Are you looking forward to the new position?”

“Temporary position.” I correct him, “And yes, I am looking forward to taking a break from the boardroom.”

Cody nods and looks away in thought. I catch his hand absently tracing Stella’s scarred side and feel myself smile. There are some things in life that money can’t buy, and the affection my friend showers over my sister is one of them.

“There’s our new assistant coach!” Someone claps me on the back, and I turn to see the food thrower grinning at me.

“You ready to whip our team into shape?”

“Depends on whether the team is ready to be whipped into shape.” I respond dryly, my eyes raking over the black silk shirt tucked neatly into pressed dressed pants. He’s so close that I can smell the spice of his cologne, a fragrance that isn’t unpleasant but needs to evacuate my personal space.

Immediately.

“Well, between the three of us, we should be able to get something done.” He winks at me and all I can do is stare back.

“Why would we do anything together?” My tone is ice cold, my gaze equally hard as I silently tell this flamboyant rookie to back the fuck off.

“Did Cap not tell you?” He grins, as if sharing secrets is his favourite pastime, “Wes and I are going to be co-captains this fall. That means we’ll be spending a lot of time together.”

“And you are?” I reply coolly, refusing to let surprise show on my face. This will be the first year Taber has two captains instead of one, and based on the state of this half, it will also be the first year the Tigers don’t bring home a banner.

“Nico Montez, at your service.” Giving me an obvious once-over, Nico smirks, “And let me be the first to say, it would be my pleasure to service you.”

I grit my teeth, staying silent. There is no use in engaging with a drunken flirt because it only encourages them. And Nico seems like the type who enjoys a reaction.

“Take it from a 10 to a 2, man.” Wes materializes with Lou by his side. He shoots me an apologetic smile, “Nico gets a little carried away sometimes. Especially when he’s had a lot to drink.”

Nico shrugs, “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

Ignoring him, I turn and give Wes’ girlfriend a warm smile, “Looking lovely as ever, Lou. My sister is looking forward to living with you again next year.”

Lou blushes from the base of her neck to the tips of her ears.

“I am looking forward to living with her too.”

Wes takes her hand and squeezes it, the support flowing from his extraverted frame to her introverted one. At first glance, Wes and Lou seem like an odd match but the more I see them together, the more it makes sense.

Nico hoots behind me and goes running for someone across the room. My eyes follow his fumbling movements, the tight fit of his dress pants outlining the curve of his ass.

“Ten bucks says Lacey just arrived.” Wes grins and gives Lou a peck on the cheek before holding out a hand for me to shake.

“Looking forward to having you assist in the fall.”

I take his hand, “Likewise.”

He and Lou disappear into the crowd, leaving me to my own devices. I snag a drink from a table nearby and find a seat away from the buzzing crowd.

Despite my best efforts, I find myself sneaking glances at Taber’s new co-captain every few minutes, my restlessness growing.

Where have I seen him before?

Nico Montez flits around the room, pulling a young but gorgeous dark-haired girl through the crowd, introducing her to everyone with the same carefree abandon he used on me just moments earlier. His sexuality comes off in free, untamed waves that I hate to admire.

I’m about to take a sip of my drink when the DJ cues up a Spanish number. The familiar beat pulses through me and I freeze, clueing in to where I’ve seen Nico before.

“Oh my god! It’s just like Lifestyle.” Nico throws his head back and laughs, pulling the dark-haired girl towards the dance floor.

I down my drink just as a platinum braid comes into my line of sight.

“You ready to tear up the dance floor, big brother?” Stella holds out her hand and I take it, feeling the alcohol fill my veins with a much-needed buzz.

“Let’s do it.”

Together we head to the dance floor where I pretend this isn’t the same song I danced to at Southern Alberta’s rowdiest gay club.