Chapter 3

Iclose the door behind me, shutting myself away from the world. The chill of New Year"s Eve seeps into my bones, but it"s nothing compared to the coldness that grips my heart. My teammates invited me out, but I declined – no point in pretending to be in a celebratory mood when all I can think about is her. That unforgettable one-night stand a few months ago in Ann Arbor that haunts my every waking moment.

"Weston! You"re still alive?" Cole"s teasing voice cuts through my thoughts as his and Bennett"s faces appear on my phone screen during our FaceTime call. "What are you doing tonight, bro?"

"Figured I"d just stay in," I admit, trying to sound nonchalant. "What about you guys?"

"Amber and I are going to a party thrown by the owner of the Florida Sharks," Cole replies as he leans back into his plush leather chair. It appears he's already enjoying himself with a glass of what looks like expensive scotch in his hand. He seems genuinely happy, and I'm glad for him.

"Sounds fancy," I say, attempting to feign interest. "And you, Bennett?"

"Nothing too special, just hanging at a teammate"s place. What about you, Wes? You're really working that whole brooding athlete persona, aren"t you?" Bennett teases with his easy-going chuckle. I can almost smell the craft beer in his hands through the screen.

"Yeah, yeah," I retort with a forced laugh, my voice echoing through the empty apartment. It feels cold.

The conversation turns to the subject I"d rather avoid - Ann Arbor girl. My brothers know about her, and they aren"t letting it go.

"You need to forget about hotel girl," Cole adds.

"That"s right, little bro, keep pining over some chick you"ll never see again," Bennett chides, his voice muffled by the static of the FaceTime connection. I can see him lounging on his couch, one arm slung carelessly over the backrest.

"I"m not pining," I retort defensively, but my words lack conviction.

Cole"s laughter bursts through the speakers. "Sure you"re not."

The jab hits a little too close to home, and my silence speaks volumes.

"You need to get out, Weston. Meet some new girls," Cole continues, his tone now more serious. "She was a one-night stand. Let it go."

"I know that," I respond. "But I"m good. I"ll find something to do." Yet, I'm not entirely convinced myself.

"Suit yourself. I mean, damn, you should have at least looked into finding a Holidates for the night so you wouldn't be alone," Cole says with a knowing grin. He sees right through me, just like always. "Happy New Year, little brother."

"Happy New Year," Bennett chimes in, and I return the sentiment before ending the call.

It"s as if the entire world is out there celebrating, and I"m the only one left behind. A wave of loneliness washes over me, and I reach for my phone again. But instead of dialing a number or texting someone, I open the Holidates app and start browsing through available events, hoping to find a distraction from my thoughts.

"Maybe it"s time for a change," I murmur to myself as I scroll through the listings. "Something... different."

Cole"s words echo in my head, reminding me of the potential Holidates holds. All three of us work part-time for the app, which is designed to facilitate matchmaking through themed events. It was actually our mother who invested in the app and put us on the employee list for the jobs, and I suspect her ulterior motive was playing matchmaker for her sons.

Cole met Amber at a Holidates event. That Halloween party changed everything for them, making them inseparable ever since. If Cole could find love through the app, maybe there"s hope for me too.

"Fine," I say aloud to no one, steeling myself for what"s to come. "Let"s see what we have here."

I continue browsing the listings, searching for an event that piques my interest. I'm eager, thinking about the possibility of meeting someone new, someone who might help me forget the girl from Ann Arbor and move on.

Who knows, maybe this year will be different? I continue to swipe through the assignment options.

"Here's to a new year and new beginnings," I murmur, tapping on an event that seems promising. Is this fate's way of handing me a fresh start, or perhaps even the love I"ve been longing for.

"Let"s see what you"ve got, Holidates," I whisper, but I get distracted by the television.

The countdown to midnight begins on the screen, the ball dropping in Times Square, and I"m sitting here alone on my couch, trying to get myself ready for what the new year has in store.

"Ten... nine... eight..." the crowd chants, and I start doing it with them, even though I"m miles away from the festivities.

"Three... two... one... Happy New Year!" the crowd roars as the ball finally touches down. Fireworks explode in the sky above Times Square, painting the night with vibrant colors. A stir of emotions washes over me, and I feel a pang of loneliness as I watch couples kiss and friends cheer on TV. It"s just another reminder that I"m here by myself, longing for something more.

Determined to change that, I grab my phone and open the Holidates app once again. My fingers scroll through the available assignments, searching for the perfect opportunity to break free from my solitude. And then I see it – an event that's perfect for the weekend that we have a bi-week, so I don't have a game.

"Snowy Soirée," the title reads, followed by a description that promises a cozy gathering filled with laughter, and good company. Intrigued, I tap on the assignment and read the details of the event: "Be my date at our luxurious family mountain lodge for a weekend of fun and relaxation. Enjoy delicious food, warm fireside chats, and stunning winter scenery."

Personal information about the women who request the services aren't given, since Holidates doesn't want appearances to be a factor in whether you choose to work an assignment. Although, it sounds like just the kind of distraction I need, and the location couldn"t be more convenient as it's only a few hours' drive away.

With a tap to accept the assignment, I'm now fully committed. Who knows, maybe this Snowy Soirée will be the turning point I"ve been waiting for, the start of a new chapter where I finally leave my past behind and find the connection I"ve been craving.

"Here"s to hoping," I whisper, raising an imaginary glass to toast the future, but before I can even put my phone down, I receive a notification that I'm scheduled to meet the woman who will be my date tomorrow.

I can't sleep as I ponder on who I"ll meet at this event, and if they"ll be the one to help me forget Presley and finally move on.

In the quiet darkness of my bedroom, I'm unable to shake thoughts of Presley – that unforgettable one-night stand in Ann Arbor. The memories of our brief time spent in the hotel creep into my mind like a seductive whisper. My body responds, craving her touch.

It's like I can still feel how her fingers traced patterns on my back, her luscious lips pressed against mine. My breaths quicken, and my heart pounds against my chest as I remember her soft skin and thick breasts that were more than a handful.

The sound of her moaning my name replays in my ears, driving me wild. As my hand slips beneath the covers, I grip my hard cock, determined to stroke the memory of Presley out of my system once and for all. A deep groan escapes my lips as my hand moves in slow, deliberate motions, up and down, up and down.

My hips rise and fall in rhythm with my strokes, giving into the pleasure coursing through my veins. It felt so good to be deep inside her wet and warm pussy. With every thrust into her, her boobs bounced as her nipples beckoned me to suck on each one while her pussy walls gripped my dick.

"Presley," I whisper, my voice cracking with emotion as the pressure builds within me. The vision of her beneath me, the taste of her lips on mine, fills my senses until I"m lost in the fantasy.

Tipping over the edge, I yell out her name one last time, releasing the pent-up tension and frustration that has haunted me since our night. While I breathe heavily, I lay back on the bed, my body spent and trembling.

Maybe now, after this final tribute to our past, I can move forward and welcome the new year and all it has to offer. With fresh resolve, I tell myself that this is the beginning of a new chapter – one where I will find the connection I"ve been seeking and finally let go of the past. And as I drift off to sleep, my thoughts turn to the upcoming Holidates assignment, wondering who awaits me and what adventures lie ahead.

"Here"s to new beginnings," I murmur, my eyes fluttering closed as sleep claims me.

The morning sun streams through the window, its warm rays kissing my skin as I wake up. I glance at the clock and realize that it"s time to get ready for my Holidates assignment. Despite a restless night, I feel a surge of something, dare I say, hope coursing through me. New year, new possibilities.

I hop in the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my body as I wash away any lingering thoughts of Presley. Today, I"m focused on meeting the woman assigned to me, itching to see what this Holidates has in store. As I step in front of the mirror and towel off, I take a moment to admire my well-toned physique. I run a hand through my dark, damp hair, hoping my green eyes will be enough to charm my date.

"Alright, Weston," I say to myself, "time to make an impression."

I dress in my favorite casual outfit – dark jeans, a crisp white button-down shirt, and a black leather jacket. After a final inspection in the mirror, I grab my keys and head out the door.

As I drive to the meeting location, my mind races. What will she be like? Will we hit it off? The mystery is both an adrenaline rush and slightly nerve-wracking.

I pull up to the address provided by the Holidates app and furrow my brow in confusion. The GPS indicates that I"ve arrived, but instead of a trendy restaurant or cozy coffee shop, I've landed in front of a strip mall of nothing but either girly spa stuff like wax, nail, and hair shops, or on the other end, it has the same but for dogs.

"Interesting choice," I muse aloud, my curiosity piqued. This unexpected location only adds to the intrigue, leaving me even more keen to uncover the reasoning behind it.

The instructions were that I was supposed to wait at the end of the building by the bench. So, I park the car and step out into the fresh air, inhaling deeply as I take in the surroundings.