22. Isla

22

ISLA

D o you ever feel like déjà vu is slapping you in the face?

It’s what I feel as I walk into a party, the bass pounding in my head as Selene and I enter the house. However, we are both attending this college this time, and we were invited to a party at the hockey team’s off-campus house because of my connection to the team.

That does nothing to calm my nerves as I walk in behind Selene.

I can’t even count the number of red Solo cups I’ve spotted as we enter the living room. Everyone is here to celebrate the Crestwood Red Wolves’ latest win. Well, I’m sure some people are just here for the drinking, but that isn’t uncommon on a college campus.

“Wow, the hockey team knows how to throw down,” Selene remarks, her eyes wide as she takes in the chaotic scene in front of us.

“You’re not lying,” I reply.

My eyes scan the room, and I recognize most of the hockey team, but not anyone else. My gaze lands on Hailey, who is standing across the room. The last time I saw her, she was wearing her hair in a messy bun while we were eating lunch in the campus center. This time, her brown hair is in a neater bun, and she’s wearing jeans and a sweater with chess club written across it. Standing next to her is someone who, I assume, is her friend. The two of them are standing between Levi and Wilder; the former has his arm wrapped around Hailey.

As soon as Hailey spots me, her face lights up and she waves us over. I don’t want to be rude, so I grab Selene’s hand and say, “Hey, there are some people I want you to meet.”

We make our way through the crowd, dodging people and beer sloshing out of cups until we reach Hailey and her friend. Hailey speaks first. “Isla, how are you doing? Is life still crazy for you?”

“Unfortunately, yes. College life is so hectic.”

“You can say that again.” Hailey looks at her boyfriend before turning to her friend. “Since you already know these two guys… Jade, this is Isla, the hockey team’s photographer. Isla, this is Jade, my best friend.”

Jade sticks her hand out to shake mine before Wilder snatches her hand back. “Hey! She’s my best friend too.”

Jade pulls her hand from Wilder’s grasp and rolls her eyes. “Ignore Wilder. It’s nice to meet you, Isla.”

I return the handshake before gesturing to Selene. “And this is my friend, Selene. We’ve been best friends since elementary school.”

“That’s true. She can’t get rid of me no matter how hard she tries.” Selene glances at me before a smirk appears.

“It’s true. She is a pain in my ass,” I say, and Selene elbows me in the gut. “Ow.” The poke didn’t actually hurt me, but I want to be a little dramatic.

Hailey laughs at our exchange. “Well, it’s great to meet you. I can show you where the drinks are.”

Hailey and Jade lead the way as we make our way through the crowd. Levi and Wilder trail behind us, and they get stopped multiple times by people who want to congratulate them on their win. I glance over at Selene, and she smiles at me, probably proud that I went out at all.

Hailey finds a cooler in the kitchen and hands us two cans of beer. Selene and I open our beers at the same time. I hold up my drink and say, “Cheers.”

Selene responds in kind. “Cheers!”

As we clink our cans together, I feel somewhat at ease. Sure, parties are more Selene’s thing than mine because I’m not too big on crowds. Despite the crowd in the kitchen, I don’t feel panicky.

Well, that’s not true. But the party environment isn’t causing me to feel that way. It’s the man that I assume will also be here that I haven’t had a chance to see outside of work in the last few days.

Levi and Wilder end up chatting with one another on the other side of the room, but I’ve already noticed that Levi has glanced at Hailey at least once.

“So, how long have you been into photography?” Jade asks.

I take a sip of my beer before answering. “Since elementary school, actually. It started as a hobby I got more serious about in high school, and now it has become so much more.”

“That’s awesome,” Hailey chimes in. “I’ve seen some of your shots of the team on their social media pages. You’ve got a real talent.”

I can’t stop the grin from taking over my face. “Thanks. That means a lot.” It feels good to be recognized for my passion. And it feels good to be friendly with other people, something I never thought I would say. I enjoy keeping my inner circle small, but I don’t mind socializing every now and again.

“How long have you been working at Brewed Beginnings?” I ask the first question that comes to mind. I feel slightly awkward about doing so, but here we are.

“Oh, I’ve been there since freshman year. It’s a job…you know. Not exactly thrilled about it, but at least I’m getting paid. Since my manager got transferred out of our store, things have gotten better.”

Jade nods, picking up on Hailey’s tone. “Retail jobs can be brutal. I used to work at a clothing store in Crestwood Mall. The stories I could tell you…”

Selene leans against the kitchen counter, nursing her beer. “Oh, do share. I’m always up for a good story.”

Jade pauses for a second, trying to figure out how to start before launching into what happened when an irate customer walked in and had a meltdown because the store wasn’t carrying a dress in the color that she wanted it in. The way she recounts it has us all laughing.

As the laughter dies down, I notice Selene’s attention shift, her eyes narrowing as she looks past us. Following her gaze, I spot Knox standing across the room. Unsurprisingly, he stands out even in the crowded space. He’s got that intense look on his face, like he’s analyzing everything around him.

Hailey must have noticed what happened because she says, “See something interesting, Selene?”

Selene snaps her attention back to the group, and although she tries to play it cool, I know her well enough to know it’s all an act. “Who’s that guy over there?” she asks, nodding in Knox’s direction.

I glance back at Knox, who’s now chatting with a group of guys, including Levi, Wilder, and Blaise, on the other side of the room. There is no sign of Asher. “That’s Knox Sanchez. He’s also on the hockey team.”

“Interesting,” Selene murmurs, her eyes lingering on Knox a moment longer before she turns back to the group. “Maybe I’ll introduce myself later.”

“That might not be the best idea,” Jade says. All our eyes shift over to her as we wait for her to continue.

“Why not?” Selene asks for the rest of us.

Jade takes a sip of her drink before answering, her eyes darting between Selene and Knox across the room. “Let’s just say Knox has a bit of a reputation. He’s not exactly known for his long-term commitments, if you catch my drift.”

Hailey nods in agreement. “She’s right, at least based on what Levi told me once.”

Selene raises an eyebrow. “That works for me because I’m not looking for anything serious.”

Her words hang in the air for a moment, and I can’t help but be concerned. I know my best friend can handle herself, but I also know that guys like Knox can be trouble. Before I can say anything, Selene downs the rest of her beer.

“Well, I think it’s time for a refill. Anyone else need another drink?” she asks.

Hailey and Jade exchange a look before shaking their heads. “We’re good for now,” Hailey says, holding up her half-full cup.

As Selene makes her way back to the cooler, I turn to Hailey and Jade. “So what else do you know about Knox?” I ask.

Jade shrugs. “Not much. Just that he’s kind of a player and doesn’t seem interested in anything serious.”

Hailey nods in agreement. “Yeah, that’s it.”

I chew on my bottom lip, still not entirely convinced. I’m impressed by Selene’s honesty with people we’ve just met and vice versa. Hailey and Jade have more loyalty to Levi and Wilder and, by association, the hockey team, than to us, but they have no problem talking about Knox. It would be easy for them to just keep quiet, but I appreciate them telling the truth.

But I don’t trust them enough to talk about Asher. Hopefully, Selene, who knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried, doesn’t say anything.

Selene returns with her refilled cup. “So what did I miss?”

I’m the one that replies. “Nothing important. Just chatting.”

Our conversation continues, and soon, we are back in the living room with the guys joining us. Levi and Hailey are together once again, chatting with Jade and Wilder. Knox stares me down for a moment before Selene takes the opportunity to talk with him. Of course, she’s ignoring the warning Jade and Hailey gave her. What the hell was that look from him all about? Blaise didn’t bother coming over, and I’m not sure where he went.

I will credit everyone for their efforts in trying to talk to me, but it still feels like everyone is paired off except for me. I turn to Selene, who’s deep in conversation with Knox. Is it bad that it wouldn’t surprise me if she ended up going home with him tonight?

Wilder claps his hands together, and everyone looks at him. “Alright, who’s up for some flip cup?” he announces, his voice loud enough to cut through the music. Everyone agrees, but I notice that the teams are uneven.

“Looks like we’re short one player,” I point out.

Just then, I see Asher making his way through the crowd to join us. I can feel my pulse pick up the second I lay eyes on him, but I force myself to not react.

“Hey, look who decided to show up,” Levi says, slapping Asher on the back. “Thought you weren’t going to make it tonight.”

Asher grins, his gaze flicking to me for a split second before his eyes are back on Levi. “Nah, just needed a minute. Didn’t want to miss the action.”

Apparently, this is enough to draw Selene away from Knox for a second because she nudges me and throws a side-eye my way. I ignore it, taking a sip of my drink instead.

“Glad you’re here, man,” Wilder says, raising his drink. “We were just about to start a round of flip cup. You in?”

“Definitely,” Asher says, then turns to me, his eyes meeting mine with a hint of a smile. “What about you, Isla? Are you ready?”

I raise an eyebrow because I can hear the challenge in his voice. “Oh, I’m always ready.”

As the group sets up for the game, I catch Asher’s gaze again. He smiles at me, and I can’t help but smile back despite not knowing what is happening between us. I hope that, at least for tonight, we can keep things casual. We are just two people having fun at a party.

Everyone walks down to the basement and gathers around the table. Knox stands there with his arms crossed as if he would rather be elsewhere. Selene leans over to talk to him, and it’s only then that his mood slightly changes.

Since no one else says a word, I think I’m the only one who notices their interaction. Interesting.

As the group starts setting up for the game, Asher leans closer. “Hey, can we talk for a sec?”

I glance at him and nod. We step to the side, just out of earshot of the others.

“So, I’ve been thinking about the content we’ve been filming.”

That got my attention. “Oh? What about it?”

He hesitates for a moment, then smiles. “I was thinking maybe we could film A Day in the Life—like, follow me through a game day or something. Give people a real behind-the-scenes look. I think it could be cool and show more of what it’s like from my perspective.”

I raise an eyebrow because it was something that was thrown around, but it wasn’t what Asher had agreed to initially. “A Day in the Life, huh? I like it. It could add a more personal angle people would connect with. Plus, you’re already getting used to the camera, so it wouldn’t be too awkward.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, I trust you to make me look good. And, you know, maybe it’d be fun to spend some more time together.”

Ah, that’s what all of this was about. “Asher?—”

“Look, I know we’ve been through a lot. And I know there’s still a lot we haven’t figured out yet. But you can’t deny that there’s still something here.” He gestures between us, his eyes searching mine. “I feel it. And I think you do too.”

I bite my lip, but he’s not wrong. “It’s complicated, Asher.”

He nods, his expression serious. “I know it is. But I’m willing to put in the work. I’m not the same guy I was back then. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’m willing to prove it to you, however long it takes, sunshine.”