CHAPTER 138: LOWKEY FREAKING OUT ABOUT THE PARTY

"I know," he whispered. "And I’ve got you now. My Rivera. Now that I won, is it a yes?

Will you be my boyfriend?"

I swear my chest was about to explode.

He’d said it again, Be my boyfriend, twice now, like he needed me to quickly give him a reply.

Should I just... say yes?

My brain was screaming yes. My heart was racing like it wanted to leap out.

But then there was that little voice, the one that remembered every bad thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve never even had a real relationship before. What if I mess this up? What if he regrets choosing me? What if everything Blake said was true?

He has been persistent. And after that game? After watching him crush it on the ice like that? Yeah, I was head over heels for him.

With him also staring at me like that?

My mouth parted. "Dom, I...."

And then.

"Dominic

! Dominic!" someone’s voice echoed down the bathroom hallway.

Dominic pressed his palm over my lips, leaning close. "Shhh, it’s Jasper."

"Yooo! Jasper, what’s that?" he called back. His voice was so casual, like he wasn’t hiding me in the stall with him.

"Get your ass here, coach is waiting. He wants to have a word with you!" Jasper yelled.

Dominic rolled his eyes. "Alright, I’ll be there in five!"

The footsteps faded, the bathroom door squeaked shut.

The hallway went quiet again.

He dropped his hand from my lips and leaned close again, whispering, "Rivera, I have to go now, okay? Take care of yourself. I’ll text you after. It’s already six, I’m heading out with the boys later."

"Oh." That’s literally all I could get out. My throat was dry as hell.

His thumb brushed my jaw like he didn’t want me to feel left behind.

"When do I see you again?" I sighed.

He bit his lip, thinking. "Tomorrow?"

My chest perked up, until he added...

"Ohhh. The twins are throwing a party. They begged me to help set up, so I’ll be busy all day. But..." He stroked my hair. "...will you come to the party? You can come with June. Tell her I said Ren would be there. I also promised to hook her up with Ren."

I bit my lip. A party.

The word alone made my stomach knot.

"I don’t know yet," I muttered. "June’s probably gonna force me anyway."

"Then let her. No pressure. But if you do show up..." he leaned in. "I’ll be waiting for you. I have to go now."

"Five more seconds," I hugged him, wishing he could stay longer.

Dominic’s hand brushed my cheek... before he finally pulled away. My chest ached at the sudden emptiness he left behind.

Then, his lips pressed against mine one last time. A soft grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, and then smack.

I gasped. He’d just spanked my ass. Holy hell.

My face was bright red, and my knees went a little weak.

"Keep being cute, Rivera," he whispered, before slipping past me toward the restroom door.

I stayed frozen for a moment, just breathing, trying to calm my racing heart.

Then, finally, I shoved off the wall, trying to walk casually out of the boys’ locker room.

I didn’t see any grace of Dominic.

Coach probably had him somewhere, giving a post game pep talk or talking strategy...whatever adults did.

When I finally stepped out of, the hallway was empty...ish.

I dragged my feet down the hall until I saw June at the end, leaning against the wall like she’d been waiting for me.

"So... how was it?" she asked, covering her mouth with her hand, struggling not to squeal. "Did you guys... kiss? Spill."

I coughed awkwardly. "Uh... yeah."

"And?"

"Come on, Ash, your face says it all. That’s not even subtle." She grinned.

"And... it was..." I trailed off, trying to find words that didn’t make me sound like a lovesick puppy. "Yeah, it was... amazing."

June grinned. "I knew it. I knew it."

"Where’s Marcus?" I asked, scanning the hallway.

"He just left," she said. "His dad needed help with something. Probably some adult boring stuff." She rolled her eyes.

I nodded. Then I leaned a little closer. "Quick question...June. What can we wear to tomorrow’s party? Dom invited me, and he said I should bring you along. Ren’s gonna be there too."

June’s eyes lit up. "Girl, we’re going full-on makeup. I’m so glad you agreed to come with me to the party. Dominic had to convince you."

"Yeah! Sorry." I laughed.

Then, she groaned. "But... Tomorrow morning will be rough. Ughhh."

I raised my eyebrows. "Why?"

June frowned, suddenly looking annoyed. "The most annoying person ever booked a cleaning session. Dad specifically texted me because apparently the person said "I clean like...like a pro? I don’t even know..some cocky thing."

I laughed. "Alright, then we’ll do it when you get back."

Her eyes lit up again. "Yes! Let’s go! Tomorrow is going to be chaotic, ridiculous, and amazing all at once. And we’re going to be ready for it."

I let out a slow breath, already feeling my heart thump at the thought of the party, Dominic..

"Tomorrow’s going to be a long day," I muttered.

June smirked. "Yup. And it’s going to be epic."

I kept my hands stuffed in my pockets, trying to steady my racing thoughts as we walked toward the bus station.

My social anxiety for tomorrow. My stomach twisted. I’m Lowkey freaking out.

Parties weren’t really my thing. Last time... well, let’s just say I didn’t exactly leave with my dignity intact.

The humiliation, the chaos, everything that went wrong crept back into my mind.

Could I really survive another night like that? Could I face all those people, all those eyes, without freezing up?

I glanced down the street. The sun was dipping low.

June waved at me. "Bye, Ash! Don’t chicken out tomorrow!" she called, laughing.

I forced a shaky smile and waved back. "I won’t..." I muttered, though my voice sounded uncertain even to me.

Her grin widened. "You’ll be fine. Just remember, you’ve got a mission. Keep your eyes on Dominic."

I chuckled nervously. "Yeah... mission Dominic. Got it."

She waved one last time before turning down a side street, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the approaching bus.