by Jacob Chance
“Break a leg,” Perri whispers as my bare feet step onto the cold wooden stage. Moving forward, I quickly get into position. The music starts out light, relying heavily on flutes to make up the notes. I spin and hop across the stage, reflecting the mood of the composition until the tempo changes, and the music grows louder and darker. My choreography changes to modern movements comprised of sideways positions and a lot of bent knees.
Smoothly, I transition from one pose to another, faster and faster until the music comes to a deafening crescendo before abruptly ending. Pausing in my final bent over position, I hold the pose for a five count and exhale a sigh of relief. The audience applauds wildly, letting me know how much they enjoyed my performance. I’m so relieved. This is the first time I’ve done this routine in front of anyone besides my fellow dancers.
Taking shuffling steps to the front edge of the stage, I hold my arms out, basking in their overwhelming approval. This is the reason why I’m a dancer. There’s nothing like the feeling of performing for a live audience. And when they love something that I’ve done, it’s an all-encompassing high. I feel light enough to fly backstage.
My eyes drift to the right side of the room, locking on the outline of the tall, broad-shouldered bartender. Unable to see him clearly with the bright lights shining on me, I imagine his eyes are locked on my frame. Smiling extra widely in his direction, I spin around to quickly exit stage left.
Why did you smile at him? What does it really matter? It’s not like he’d notice someone like me. My stomach churns nervously. But what if he was looking?
Oliver Ice doesn’t know I exist, and he never will, I reassure myself. Besides, I know his ex and we’re nothing alike. Stacey might be beautiful and have the body of a porn star, but she’s not a nice person. I’ve seen her mean-girl ways on more than one occasion. Fortunately for me, I haven’t had them aimed in my direction. But if Oliver was with her for so long, it’s easy to assume what parts of a girl are a priority for him: tits and ass. And I’m short on both.
“Oh my God.” Perri clasps my arms. “You were amazing. You brought the fucking house down with that performance. Listen.” She cups her ear. “They’re still clapping and you’re back here.”
I beam at the realization that she’s right. And the fact that this routine was a stretch for me and a risk that paid off makes it even better. “I can’t believe how amazing that felt. I want to go out there and do it all again.”
“Oh man, don’t you love that feeling? If we could bottle that, we’d be filthy, stinking rich.”
Using my forearm, I wipe the sweat from my brow. “Damn. I need a towel. I’m going to change out of these clothes.”
“Let’s have a drink before we leave.”
Do I want to sit opposite Oliver while he serves me a drink? I might swallow my tongue or something equally embarrassing. I scrunch my nose up. “I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on. Please,” Perri begs, making her eyes puppy-dog wide. Damn she’s good at looking pathetic and bringing on the guilt.
“Ugh, okay. Just one, though, because I have to drive home.”
“Okay. I’m going to head to the bar now and grab us some seats. Meet me there when you’re done.”
“Sounds good.” I head toward the dressing room.
Sounds good? No it doesn’t. This is a terrible fucking idea. And I’m almost one hundred percent sure I’m going to regret agreeing.
I’ve thought Oliver Ice was all that and a bag of chips since my first week of freshman year at Boston University. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and I crashed into him in the middle of the hallway. Unbelievably gorgeous and a grade above me, I had hearts in my eyes when I looked at him. Unfortunately for me, it wasn’t lust at first sight for Oliver. He muttered an apology and hurried after Stacey like a dog sniffing after a bone, while I wiped the drool from the corner of my mouth.
Pretty much every time I saw him from that day forward they were joined at the hip—no make that lips. Their very wet, parted lips. Okay, they were joined at the tongue, and I hated them both a little for it. But I especially hated Stacey for being the kind of girl all the guys panted after without any real effort on her part. All she had to do is breathe and merely exist. While the rest of us wilted away unnoticed in her very curvaceous shadow.
Unzipping my bag, I sink down onto the dressing room bench. I pull out a towel, gently wiping the moisture from my forehead and try not to panic that I’m about to come face-to-face with Oliver.
At least this time I won’t crash into him. There is that. And time has taken care of my silly crush—hasn’t it?
Changing out of my dress, I slip on my favorite jeans, flip flops, and a fitted, vintage black short sleeved shirt with the MTV logo on it. I run a brush through my long tresses and glance in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, as they always are after I perform. The pink color brings out the green in my eyes. Oh well, this is as good as it’s going to get.
Shoving my license in my pocket along with a twenty, I head toward the bar. My worn out flip flops scuff on the floor with every step I take, a combination of my feet dragging nervously and a perpetual bad habit of not picking them up enough.
Exiting the dressing room, I walk down the hallway and step into the club. Music and chatter assault my ears as I glance toward the bar. I notice Perri perched on a stool talking to Oliver. Fuck me. I won’t have a chance to compose myself before I have to speak to him. My heartbeat pounds so hard, I feel it in my ears. Each step closer has me certain I’ll trip or do something equally embarrassing.
When I slip onto the bar stool next to Perri’s without mishap I breathe out a relieved sigh. But my relief is short lived when my eyes raise, locking on the curious dark stare across from me. Goosebumps break out along my arms, the fine hairs standing on end. Yeah, the crush is still in full effect.
Perri touches my arm, but I can’t look away. “Ava, this is Oliver. He’s my favorite bartender here.”
“Ava, it’s nice to meet you.” My name is a delicious husk on his smiling lips. He stretches his hand across the bar and my own feels like it moves forward in slow motion. When our skin meets, I don’t imagine the cool, tingling sensation that assails me. Is it possible for goosebumps to break out on top of already existing goosebumps?
“Nice to meet you as well,” I force myself to reply and even manage to quirk my lips in a closed mouth smile. Okay, that went well. Just as the thought barely finishes forming in my mind, my flip flop slips from the metal rung on the stool and I fall to the side. Fortunately, Perri is next to me and she catches hold of my arm, pushing me upright with a giggle.
Humiliated, my chin drops so low it touches my chest. Oliver’s deep chuckle has my cheeks flushing. Of course he had to see how fucking uncoordinated I am. How I can dance so well is a mystery to me, because I can’t manage to walk in a straight line. And tripping over my own feet is a daily occurence.
“Are you okay, there?” Amusement laces his tone. “Stay upright. I’ve got money on you.”
I don’t find his joke to be funny at all. In fact, it’s downright annoying.
“Ha ha.” I roll my eyes at him. “My flip flop slipped from the rung.”
“I was going to offer you a drink, but maybe I shouldn’t,” he teases. The adorable smirk lifting the left side of his lips makes it hard for me to remain annoyed. However, when I think about his mean ex and how they were together for years, it reminds me that he might like to make people the brunt of his jokes like she did.
“I told you, my foot slipped,” I state matter of factly.
“Yeah, well, I hear all kinds of excuses and most of them are better than that one.” He winks.
Is he kidding me?
Does this guy think I’m inebriated for real, or is he just saying shit to annoy me? I can’t tell.
“Ava just got done dancing and I can assure you she hasn’t been drinking,” Perri interjects. She must’ve noticed the murderous look on my face and she’s trying to
save Oliver’s life.
“Thanks, Perri, but you don’t need to explain anything to this dude. I wasn’t going to order anything but water anyway. I have to drive home.”
“Good choice. We have excellent water,” Oliver replies, turning away. I watch as he reaches for a glass.
Perri digs the point of her elbow into my arm. “What’s all that about?”
“What? He’s being a dick.”
“No, he’s not. He’s trying to be charming.”
“Well, I guess he sucks at charming then, because all I’m picking up on is dick,” I accidentally shout the last word just as Oliver is in front of me. He smirks, placing my glass of water on a napkin in front of me.
“Can I get you anything else?” He raises a thick, black brow mischievously. What else does he want to get me? Is that supposed to be some veiled dick reference?
“No, thank you.” I wave my hand in dismissal. I’m not up for his games. At this point I don’t want to be here any longer. I’m only staying because Perri is a good friend and I don’t want to disappoint her.
“Did you figure out what you’re going to do about your lack of a date for your family reunion?” Perri asks.
“Oh shit. You had to remind me.”
“Yeah, I did have to because you keep putting it off. How are you going to find someone to pretend to be your boyfriend for that whole weekend if you don’t start thinking about your options?”
My eyes snap to Oliver and then back to Perri. “Let’s not talk about this now.” I don’t need him to hear more dirty details of my pathetic personal life.
Perri nods in understanding. “How have your classes been going?” She changes the subject and I could kiss her for it.
“Great so far. Nothing too difficult for a change. This might be the first semester that I don’t feel overwhelmed by studying and projects.”
“We’re only a couple of weeks in. Maybe the teachers are pacing themselves.”
“Yeah, but I always find most of the hardass professors set the tone of how they work right from the start. There aren’t many who are nice and turn into work-slinging assholes.”
“You have a way with words. Has anyone told you that before?” Oliver smiles teasingly.
“You’re nosy. Has anyone told you that before?” My insult only has him grinning wider.
“Ava.” Perri places her hand on my forearm, but I ignore her.
“Don’t you have any other customers to wait on?”
Oliver drums his fingers on the wooden bar top, as if he has all the time in the world before he steps back. He nods at Perri. “Give me a holler if you want another.”
“Will do,” she replies.
I watch him walk away, even though I don’t want to. My eyeballs have a mind of their own where he’s concerned. They’re locked onto his tall, broad-shouldered frame like they’ve been Gorilla Glued there.
“What’s your problem, Ava?” Perri whispers harshly.
My eyes finally leave his ass to meet her accusing gaze. “He was being a condescending jerk,” I huff.
“No, he wasn’t. Oliver is one of the nicest guys I know. He’s not that type.”
“Maybe not to you, but it sure felt that way to me. Look, let’s not fight about this. You see it one way and I see it another. But what does it really matter? I don’t need to be friends with the guy. I’ll only see him at work once in a while.”
I should’ve known that proclaiming I’d only see Oliver at work was a challenge to the universe to prove me wrong. In the past two days I’ve seen him numerous times from afar, but to this point, I’d been able to avoid having to speak with him.
Rising from the desk chair, I sling my backpack over my shoulder. I like to sit at the front of the room, and I usually wait to leave until the line filing out the door is manageable.
“Ava, right?”
My feet halt, eyes closing on a shudder. I recognize that deep voice, although I’ve only heard it directed at me twice in the past three years. And if he’s calling my name from inside the classroom, then he must be in this class with me. How did I not realize this?
Spinning around, I compose my face into a semblance of calm while my insides ping pong nervously. “Yes. Oliver, right?”
He grins shark-like and leans closer. “Aw, you remembered. I feel special.”
“You really shouldn’t. My mind is like a steel trap when it comes to inconsequential details.”
His smile doesn’t fade or dim even the slightest. “When are you working again?”
“Tomorrow night.” There’s no reason not to tell him. All he has to do is log in to our work app and he can see who’s on the schedule anyway.
“Me too. What a coincidence.”
Oh great. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I notice I’m short on time. “I need to get moving if I’m going to make my next class. I guess I’ll see you around.”
“You sure will.” His smirk arcs the left side of his masculine lips and I can’t decide if I want to slap him for being unbearably confident or kiss him for being irresistible.
Chapter Three
Oliver
Pausing in the hallway, I watch as Ava scurries off, my eyes locked on her tempting, lithe form. She seems familiar to me, but I can’t imagine forgetting that face, so I don’t think we ever met before the introduction at Score. I can’t deny there's something about her that draws me in, even when I don’t want to be.
Is it because I think she’s pretty?
I’m not sure, because I’m around good looking girls all the time, and no one since Stacey has caught my interest. Until now.
And I know indulging my attraction is a horrible idea all around. Emotionally, I’m finally in a good place. It’s taken months for me to work through my breakup and I should avoid the opposite sex at all costs. Which means staying away from all single members of the female population, not just most of them.
I need to finish out this final year of school strongly—academically and also hockey-wise. I may not have NHL level ability, but I have my pride, and that’s more important to me. I want to be proud of how the team and I play this season.
The last thing I need is some sassy girl to worm her way in between my carefully stacked cards and bring the whole house down.
Ava disappears around the corner and I shake my head. Get a grip, man. Focus on you and only you. Look what putting someone else first for three years got you—a broken heart, a room in the frat house, and a fifth year of school.
The good news is, that because of the breakup turmoil, I’m allowed to play hockey for an extra season. At least something good came from a bad situation. And Stacey managed to graduate and move on. I no longer have to worry about bumping into her on campus.
“I thought our first party of the season had a lot of people, but this puts that one to shame,” Shaw mentions.
“Right?” What’s different about this party than any other? I muse. “Maybe it’s because we don’t have a hockey game this weekend and the football team has their game out of town. Everyone’s looking for something to do.”
“Whatever the reason, it’s awesome,” Donovan observes. “Look at all these hot chicks. Come this way.” He beckons two blondes walking by. They stop and he flashes us a knowing grin before leading them away with a hand on each of them. I guess he’ll be busy for the rest of the night.
I shake my head. “This dude. He gets pussy way too easily.”
“Like you couldn’t,” Shaw scoffs. “Half the girls here came because you’re single again.”
“The fuck they did.”
“Dude, don’t be naive. You’re a hot commodity, whether you admit it or not.”
“Shut up. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. It’s weird.”
Marshall, the frat president, walks over. “What’s weird?”
“Nothing,” I answer.
“Oliver doesn’t want to admit that half the girls at this party are here because he’s single.”
Marsh
all laughs. “It’s probably true. Although, that’s a blow to my ego. I want to think they’re here for me.”
“You can have them all. I’ve sworn off women for this year.”
Shaw sniggers. “Dude, you’re not going to be able to make it. No fucking way.”
“Of course I will.”
“Are we talking no girlfriend or no sex? Because that makes a difference,” Marshall questions.
“Both.”
“Hell no. Shaw is right. You’re never going to make it.”
“Both of you can fuck off. I’ve got this under control. It’s been seven months already and I’m doing great.”
“How’s the chronic masturbating going for you?” Marshall questions with a smirk.
“It beats nothing,” I jest, and we all laugh.
“What are you guys so happy about?” Perri questions as she stops in front of us. My eyes dart to Ava standing off to her side.
“It’s a bad joke and not worth repeating,” I explain, hoping the guys don’t share the details.
“Oliver, you remember Ava,” Perri reminds me.
“Absolutely. We’re actually in a finance class together.”
“I haven’t met Ava.” Shaw steps forward and I want to shove him back.
“Me either.” Marshall flashes a smile at her. Gritting my teeth, I watch as they shake her hand and fall all over her. Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to enjoy it as much as most of the girls usually do.
“I’m surprised to see you here when Nolan’s out of town.” I nudge Perri’s arm.
“Yeah, I know, but I needed something to do and there weren’t many options. At least none that didn’t involve spending more money than I wanted to. Besides, if we drink too much we can crash in Nolan’s room.”
“Good point.” I nod, dragging in a pinched breath. The thought of Ava sleeping under the same roof as me has my blood stirring. “Ava, is this your first frat party?” I ask, trying to include her in the conversation.
She scowls. “No.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you at one before.”
