Twenty Two:

I spent the rest of the night either sitting in front of the bar downing shot after shot, or on the dance floor dancing with any random cute guy I noticed. As for Jon’s whereabouts? I could have cared less. I was focused on me, and what I needed to do to have fun. And as for how I got home? Yeah, your guess is as good as mine.

I woke up the next morning the most hung over I had been in a long time. I glanced around at my surroundings. I was in my own room, fully clothed, and alone. Relief automatically rushed through me as I hopped out of bed and slowly made my way downstairs. My brother was sitting on the couch, Lailya on his right, and Jon on his left. They all glanced over at me as I made my way into the kitchen.

As I was grabbing a water bottle out of the fridge, I heard someone clear their throat loudly. I reluctantly shut the fridge and saw Lailya standing there. “Is there something you need?” I asked, somewhat rudely.

She looked taken aback, “I heard what happened last night.”

“Yeah, and…?”

“I’m sorry that I was all over your boyfriend, I was seriously so wasted I don’t even remember doing any of that at all. Honestly, I wouldn’t do that to you, you know me… I’m not like that at all.”

“I know, I know,” I sighed, “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry. If anything I should be sorry, and I am. I would react the same way if I saw anyone all over my boyfriend too.”

“Okay,” I said with a slight laugh, “I forgive you.”

“Alright good.”

After a quick hug, I followed her out into the living room. “Actually,” she said, “I should get going. But I’ll be back later, `cuz I guess some of the Hawks are coming over.”

“Alright, see you later,” I said as I watched her walk to the front door and close it behind her.

I sat down on the couch where Lailya was previously sitting. “So, how exactly did I get home last night?”

“Well after threatening to beat Jon’s ass for about fifteen minutes, we finally calmed you down and drove you home.” My brother replied with an amused look on his face.

“Oh…” I replied simply. “Well, I need a shower… so I’m going to go do that…” I said. Feeling the awkward tension rising.

My brother nodded as I stood up and made my way upstairs and into my bedroom. I began looking through my closet for an outfit and as I was searching through the racks of clothes I heard my bedroom door slowly open. I glanced out of the doorway and saw Jon walking in. He shut the door behind him and immediately noticed me staring at him from the closet.

“Um, hey,” he said awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

I rolled my eyes and continued looking through my clothes.

“So, you’re going to ignore me now?”

I shot him another glance as I picked up a pair of dark wash skinny legged jeans.

“Please talk to me,” he pleaded.

I quickly grabbed my low-cut deep purple sweater, walked out of my closet and stood in front of him. “What do you want me to say to you? Because if you want me to tell you what’s on my mind, you’re not going like what I have to say.”

“Cole, how many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want her, I want you. I love you. You know that.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

I rolled my eyes once again and made my way into the bathroom to take a shower. Right as I undressed myself, turned on the lukewarm water, and stepped in I heard the door click open.

I stuck my head out of the shower curtain and watched as Jon shut the door behind him and began peeling off his clothes.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I asked with annoyance.

He didn’t reply as he pulled back the shower curtain and stepped in. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into him. “Babe, seriously… I love you.”

“Jon, this is two times in a row that I have seen you in public being all over other girls when I’m sitting right there watching you.”

“Oh, so you flirting and hugging all over Jonathan Ericsson is okay? Or how about that Brent douche bag?”

I couldn’t even think of what to say.

After a couple of minutes, he spoke up, “now, listen to me, Cole. I am sorry, I am. I honestly don’t know what else I can do to prove to you that I am sorry.”

I looked up at him, waiting for my voice to somehow come back to me, and when I couldn’t wait anymore, I leaned up and kissed him.

“You better not pull anything like that again, you got that?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Soon after, we both stepped out of the shower and readied ourselves for the get together that was taking place.

After a couple hours, I was completely ready. I headed downstairs and prepared myself some dinner. And after eating, I headed into the living room to watch TV with Jon and Patrick as we waited for the boys and Lailya to come over.

“Anyone want a beer?” I asked as I stood up.

“You really think that’s a good idea after last night?” Patrick asked with a laugh.

“Okay, a couple of beers isn’t gonna hurt me, Dad.” I joked. “So do you want one or not?”

“Yeah I’ll take one,” he replied with an eye roll.

“Me too,” Jon added.

I made my way into the kitchen, and quickly came back and handed the men their beers. A knock sounded at the door and I hopped up to answer it. It was Kris Versteeg who was with Brent Sopel.

“Hey guys!” I greeted them, throwing my arms around each of their shoulders.

“Hey,” Kris greeted while wrapping his arm around my waist.

“Hey Cole. You look great,” Brent also greeted me.

“Thanks,” I replied. “Well, come in.”

As the night went on, the guys slowly started filing in. I walked around, talking to various people, and then I headed into the kitchen to grab another beer. Standing there was Lailya.

“Hey, I didn’t even know you were here,” I said as I grabbed a beer out of the fridge. “Want one?” I asked, motioning to the beer that was in my hand.

“Oh hey. Yeah I was looking for you because I just got here. And yes, I’d love one.”

I handed her the one that was in my hand and grabbed another one out of the fridge and we both headed into the living room.

“Hey who’s that Blondie in the corner? He’s really cute,” she whispered in my ear as we both took a seat on the couch.

“Oh that’s Kris Versteeg. I should soo hook you two up,” I replied with a smirk on my face. I stood up from the couch and she grabbed my hand.

“Where are you going?” She asked me.

“To do my business,” I replied simply.

“Well what am I supposed to do?”

“I don’t know… go talk to Jon or Patty or something.”

“Alright,” she replied with a nervous laugh, “just don’t embarrass me.”

“Now why would I do that?” I asked as I shook my head and headed over to Kris.

“Cole, what’s happening?” He asked as I walked up to him.

“Not much Krissy, how about you?”

“Not shit.”

“Hey, you see that girl over there with the black hair?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Do you think she’s hot?”

“Um, yeah… I guess so…” he said with a laugh, “Why?”

“Because she thinks you’re hot and wants you to go talk to her… but this convo is just between me and you, you got that?” I asked with a wink.

“Got it,” he replied.

“Go get `em tiger,” I said as I pushed him in her direction and patted his ass for encouragement.

Feeling quite accomplished, I plopped down on the couch and noticed that Jon’s phone was sitting on the table. I picked it up and looked around the room for him so I could give it to him, as it began vibrating in my hand. I looked down at the screen.

New Text Message

From: Lailya

Twenty One:

A couple days later:

 

“Cole, where are you? My birthday party started twenty-five minutes ago,” my friend, Lailya shouted over the phone, the sound of music blaring and people talking were very apparent in the background.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. I'm just about to put on my shoes… have you ever heard of being fashionably late?” I joked.

“Whatever, just get here soon,” she said with a laugh before hanging up.

I slipped my feet into my metallic silver heels, grabbed my cell phone and my purse, and then headed out to my car.

I pulled up to the club ten minutes later, and confidently stepped through the door. I noticed a big table in the back stocked with familiar faces. I headed that way.

“Cole!” Lailya shouted, before standing up, running over to me, and enveloping me in a hug.

“Happy Birthday, bitch,” I joked, while handing her a card.

“Thanks. You look cute,” she commented.

“Oh, thank you,” I replied while looking down at my apparel. To go along with my pin straight hair, a loosely fitted halter style dress hung from my body, cutting off right above my knee, while a metallic silver belt was wrapped around my waist to match my heels.

“Well, take a seat… everyone here had been asking where the hell you were,” she said before ushering me into a seat.

I took in the faces around me; the majority of them were very familiar. People gave me their greetings and I kindly returned them.

After we devoured the food that was served, we headed over to the bar for drinks, and after three or four shots, I was on the dance floor. I pulled Lailya over to me and we began grinding to the music.

“Oh my God, look who’s here!” Lailya shouted, pointing over to the entrance of the club.

I whipped my head around and saw my brother stepping through the doorway, Jon by his side. I rolled my eyes. “Oh God,” I mumbled.

“I haven’t seen your brother in ages, God damn, he looks fine as hell. Oh, not to mention, Jonny looks pretty good as well. Let’s go say hi!” She grabbed me by the hand and pulled me through the packs of people over to my brother.

My brother noticed us almost immediately. “Hey Lailya, how have you been?” he asked, wrapping her in a hug.

“Great, it’s my twenty-first birthday tonight, you so owe me a dance,” she replied.

“That, I do.”

“Who’s this?” Jon asked with an arched eyebrow, acting like I wasn’t even standing there.

“Hi, I’m Lailya,” she replied with a giggle while he wrapped his arm around her.

“Nice to meet you,” he replied.

I cleared my throat loudly, “Come on Lailya, lets get back on the dance floor.”

“Okay, I’ll meet up with you guys later,” she said, “don’t forget… you owe me a dance, Patty.”

“Yup,” he replied with a wink.

I pulled her back on the dance floor and we began dancing once more, as the drinks kept flowing.

“You know, that Jon and I are dating,” I informed her.

“No way!” she slurred, she had consumed more alcohol than I had thought.

“Yeah,” I replied, a slight blush forming on my cheeks.

“Aw, that’s too cute,” she replied.

A few songs later, Jon and my brother had met us on the dance floor and Lailya had begun dancing with my brother, grinding all over him. She then grabbed Jon and began grinding on him as well. I knew that she had a lot to drink, but I couldn’t help but be a little annoyed. I had just told her that I was with him. But, the thing that made me even more annoyed was that Jon wasn't stopping her or walking away.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed one of Lailya’s friends, Brent, and began dancing with him. I mean, I wasn’t about to watch Jon grinding all over one of my best friends. My glass had soon become empty so Brent and I headed to the bar, I made sure to shove past Jon on my way.

I sat down and handed my glass to the bartender who immediately began refilling it. I looked out into the crowd, watching Jon and Lailya, who were still dancing and laughing with eachother. I turned my head away, absolutely furious, and began talking to Brent.

Throughout our conversation, I kept shooting glances over at them, noticing that they were still laughing, talking, hugging, and dancing.

Then my phone began vibrating in my hand.

One new text message.

From Jon.

I opened it.

Hey are you pissed at me?

I rolled my eyes, was he fucking kidding me? He hadn’t even acknowledged me all fucking night, and this is what he was going to say to me.

What do you think?

He replied quickly, I think we need to talk

Fuck yeah we need to talk

Meet me at the entrance of the bar

“Hey, I’ll be back a little later, okay?” I said to Brent before wrapping him in a hug. “Call me sometime.” I slowly and reluctantly stood up and made my way through the hundreds of bodies to the entrance of the club. He stood there waiting for me. I walked up to him and he grabbed my hand, leading me outside as the cold air nipped at my exposed skin.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asked me.

“Are you kidding me, Jon?” I paused while shaking my head, “you seriously didn’t acknowledge me all fucking night. And you have the nerve to be all over one of my best friend’s right in front of my face? Seriously, you think that’s okay?”

“I danced with her for like two seconds, Cole. That’s it.”

“Yeah, okay… I’m sure; you guys were all over each other all fucking night,” I replied angrily.

“I barley even know her! If I had feelings for her, I’d be in there talking to her, getting her number. Do I have her number, Cole? Am I in there, talking to her, trying to get with her? No, I’m out here, trying to make things okay with you.”

“Whatever Jon, I don’t need this right now. I’ll see you at home.” I pushed past him and headed back inside. I wasn’t about to let him ruin my night.

Twenty:

This chapter is somewhat of a filler. But tons of drama is coming soon, so be patient(:

PS. Comments make the update come faster :D

Nothing.

The room was completely empty. I stood there in complete disbelief before making my way over to the bed. I slowly and cautiously made my way around it, inspecting every inch to make sure that he wasn’t here, that he didn’t bring some random female into my hotel room. Aside from the wrinkled sheets, the room was exactly the way we had left it before heading out to the club.

I plopped down on the bed, and placed my head in my hands. I couldn’t believe that he would stoop this low. At least I had the decency to stop the actions that I was taking with Ericsson. I was hurt. Completely and utterly hurt.

I slowly made my way over to my suitcase, pulling out my pajamas and toothbrush. I headed into the bathroom and prepared myself for bed. I returned into my room and sat back on the bed once more. I gradually lay back and pulled the comforter over myself. But I couldn’t sleep. Tossing and turning, I started to become more and more uneasy. I had no idea what Jon was up to, or where he was, for the matter. Is he okay? Thoughts kept rushing through my mind, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I shot out of bed, grabbed my cell phone, and looked through the contact list until the name came to Jon. I debated with myself for a good couple of minutes before I heard the sound of a key sliding through the door of my room.

My heart started pounding. There could only be two people standing in that doorway. Jon… or my brother. Should I pretend that I’m asleep? I began to panic. I heard footsteps making their way closer to the door and I quickly lay back down, pretending that I was asleep. The door cautiously opened I barley opened my eyes, glancing at the silhouette standing in the doorway.

Jon.

Jon was standing in the doorway, his hair ruffled and his clothes sloppily thrown on.

I watched as he made his way over to the bed next to me. He began shedding off his clothes as he slid under the covers and passed out.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

He honestly had the nerve to go fuck some random chick and come back in this hotel room and act as if nothing happened. Fuck that.

I hopped out of bed and began making my way toward the door. I couldn’t even stand being in his presence without wanting to be sick. I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. There was no way that I was getting any sleep tonight.

A few minutes later, I heard a key slide through the door once more. My brother stepped in and noticed me on the couch.

“Hey sis, I’m surprised you’re not asleep. It’s pretty late.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled, “I didn’t exactly have a good night.”

“Jon…” it was more of a statement than a question. He slowly made his way over and took a seat next to me. “I hate to tell you that I told you so…” he trailed off.

“Where was he tonight?”

He hesitated for a minute, “I don’t know… at some chick’s house I guess… that’s what I heard from the guys anyways…”

I felt a sudden rush of rage that made me want to bust open that bedroom door and beat the shit out of him.

“Honestly Cole, don’t sweat it… he’s not worth it. He will always be a playboy… all he wants is a piece of ass.”

“Well, that was some show he put on for me then…”

My brother wrapped an arm around me. “Just try to get some sleep. You will talk to him tomorrow and hopefully make the right choice.”

“Yeah, goodnight. Love you Patty.”

“Love you too, sis.”

I turned off the TV and lay down on the couch.

**

I was awoken to the sound of a door shutting loudly. I opened my eyes and sat up. Looking over at the source of the sound, I saw Jon standing there; completely clueless as to why I was on the couch. I glared at him and he realized he was busted.

“Cole, babe, what’s wrong?”

“Fuck you, Jon. Don’t even give me that bullshit.”

He made his way over to the couch and sat down next to me. “I-I didn’t do anything last night. I was talking to this one girl at the club last night and she told me it was her birthday and she was having a party. She wanted me to stop by for a little bit because her friends were big Blackhawk fans and they would love to meet me. So I left with her. When I got there, it was a house full of slutty girls who pulled me on the dance floor and were all over me. I stayed for a while though, and had a couple of drinks because I didn’t want to be rude. Honestly, babe. You have nothing to worry about. I know that a lot of chicks think I’m good looking, and I could have had half of that house to myself last night… but all I want is you, do you understand that?”

My mind was honestly in a rush, I didn’t know what to believe. “I don’t know… I just don’t know what to believe anymore Jon. I need some space. I think I’m gonna take a plane back home. I’ll see you in a couple of days. I just need to clear my head.”

He placed a quick kiss on my forehead, “you know how I feel about you, Cole. That isn’t going to change anytime soon.”

“Mhm, yeah.” I replied while packing my things together.

I exited the room, leaving my key on the table. I shot one last look at Jon before shutting the door behind me. I slowly made my way over to the elevator. After stepping out, I walked outside, hailed a taxi, and made my way to the airport.