Page 130 of Hockey Boy
Xander is quiet and seems to make Ava happy. That’s all that really matters to me, though he gives off a vibe I’m not sure I love.
“You remember Kara’s son, Thomas,” my mother says, bringing me back to the present.
I force a smile at my mother’s “friend,” a woman from the club that I’ve encountered a few times at events like these, and yes, I remember her son. He’s made a comment or two under his breath about my weight.
“How could I forget Thomas? Your hair is looking spectacularly thin tonight.”
The man who’s always running a hand through his dark, wavy hair grins like the comment hasn’t quite sunken in.
My mother, on the other hand, hisses. “Lennox!”
I shrug. “Sorry, mother. I gotta go.” I point toward the dance floor and book it in Sara’s direction. When I get to her, I snatch her by the arm, then grab Hannah too and rush toward the front door. I need a little fresh air, and slipping out will help me avoid any more run-ins with my parents and their “friends.”
All night, my father was trying to have a serious conversation with me, catching my eye from across the room and popping up everywhere I go. But Sara has stayed on me like peanut butter on jelly, so he hasn’t had the chance to ruin the night.
“Everything okay?” Hannah asks as we step out into the cool air. Fall is in full effect. I can practically see my breath.
“Yes, just had to get away. I swear my parents are getting extra desperate with my wedding creeping up.”
Sara sticks her bottom lip out. “I still can’t believe you won’t let me throw you a bachelorette party. Tomorrow is your last night of freedom.”
I fold my lips in to stifle a giggle. “Doesn’t feel like that at all. I honestly can’t wait to be his wife.”
Hannah rubs her arms aggressively, already chilly. “Leave her be. She’s in love.”
“Yeah, me too,” Sara says with a shrug. “But I don’t get the rush. Are you hiding something?” Her eyes dip to my stomach.
This time, I don’t hold back my laughter. “I’m not pregnant, you psycho. I’m just excited to be Mrs. Aiden Langfield. He makes me happy, and we don’t want to wait.”
“If you say so,” she mutters, giving me another once-over.
I shove her to the side, making her teeter on her heels. “Stop staring at my fat!”
“You’re not—” Both girls are hissing at me, but their words are cut off when a van pulls up in front of us, the tires screeching to a halt.
“What the?—”
The back door swings open, and a handful of men in masks jump down and rush us.
“Holyshit,” Sara screams.
My throat has closed up, surprise leaving me speechless. When a pair of strong arms circles my waist and lifts me with little effort, I suck in shallow breaths.
Don’t scream. Don’t draw too much attention. Maybe then everything will go as planned.
We’re shoved into the van carefully, and as the door slams shut, we’re shrouded in darkness.
“Oh my god,” Hannah cries. “We need to bang on the doors. Make as much noise as we can before we get too far from the city.”
She crawls to the back of the cargo area and pounds her fists against the door.
While she wears herself out, I slump back against the leather seats. “It’s a fancy van for a kidnapping,” I muse.
Hannah turns around. “What are you doing?Helpme.”
Across from me, Sara’s features are barely visible. She looks perplexed, but not panicked.
“The way the tall one grabbed me,” I whisper. “So hot.”