01

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐭

I'm never drinking again.

That's what I said two months ago when I got fired from my job as a kitchen assistant at Wendies, that's what I also said a month ago when my sister Katherine had took us out to celebrate her divorce, that's what I also said two weeks ago when my boyfriend of two years had broken up with me and left the country to pursue his education.

Clearly, I was a liar.

And now, here I am drinking again at a team dinner to celebrate me joining Saint Aurelius University as their new hockey coach while pursuing my masters in the grad division.

“Let's go for round two!” One suggested, I looked at him and he looked fucked up real bad. The alcohol in his system made it hard for him to keep a steady posture, swaying like what seemed to be the direction of wind.

“You're drunk, and besides we need to get started on our curriculum.” A lady said, she turned to me. "I heard you used to play competitively, the team could use someone with actual experience.”

She had a perfect set of white teeths, I noted.

"A long time ago."

"Well, let's hope you can teach these kids how to win.” Tyler or Terrence, the drunk one said.

Fair enough.

“Well, the players won't care about your résumé. They'll care about whether you can help them win.” She leaned closer to me, my head pulled back immediately. “I could use a lesson or two if you're free sometime.”

“Give the man some space, Genevieve.”

Yeah, her name was Genevieve and she was wearing a red blouse that didn't button all the way up, maybe she purposely left those upper three buttons open to show off her swell of breast. And judging by the smile she kept sending my way, subtle flirting wasn't exactly her thing.

“Fuck off, Tyler.” She basically growled at him, then chug down the remaining alcohol on her glass. “We should call it a day, I need to get home before midnight.”

She was already rising, stretching her hand to snatch her bag that sat on the table. A man who I recognized to be Tyler not Terrence rose with her, he then looked at me before saying something I didn't hear the first time, till he repeated it.

“Are you sure you're capable of getting home on your own?” That was the question I didn't hear the first time.

“Yes, yes, I'm sure.” I said, standing up while trying to hold myself together so I could prove to them or myself actually that I was still in control of my own body.

I felt the sudden urge to rush to the rest room and puke out the alcohol in my system, I stared at my reflection that looked like I was mocking myself.

“Well, aren't you a work of art?” I muttered to no one but myself, I pushed off and went to the bar.

I didn't want to go home, cause if I did I would be greeted by an empty house and Alister, my ex boyfriend stuff that I keep convincing myself to throw out but can't bring myself to.

Stupid me, clinging to the hope that he would come back and pull me into his arms once more.

Maybe that was why I didn't want to get rid of his remaining belongings, he sure took the important ones when he walked out that door. If he had asked me to travel with him across the world, I would have because I loved him so much that I would, in a heartbeat.

I still love him, but now I feel like….oh fuck this feeling, I need someone to get under and brush this under rug. If Alister thinks I would be waiting like some love sick puppy for him, then he was wrong.

I'm not that type of dude.

I'm not that type of—

Of what actually? I was, sadly. But not tonight, I just need to get someone who I'll be under for the night, at least it wouldn't make my mind wander to places where I don't want.

“You look like you need company.” A voice said, I was so lost in my feelings that I didn't realize someone had taken a seat beside me.

I turned my head and for a second, I could swear that my heart stopped.

Alister?

No, it can't be. Alister was already across the world with his new lover that he posted a picture of them at a restaurant while holding hands. I wasn't stalking—Just wanted to see what he was up to, and I did before unfriending him.

“A glass of Devils Springs vodka.” The man who apparently looked like Alister ordered, or maybe my eyes were deceiving me while working hand in hand with the alcohol in my body.

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

The stranger laughed. "That's what everyone online recommended."

"Tourist," the bartender muttered, though he looked amused as he poured a small measure into a shot glass.

The man turned to me and offered a hand. "The name's Malakai, and definitely not a tourist like he said.”

“You do know your drink.” My voice was barely above a whisper, but somehow he heard what I had said and gave a smile.

“Not really.” Then he leaned towards me. “I did research before coming here, and they're famous for their devils springs.”

I glanced at the tiny glass. "There's a reason they serve it in that size."

His smile widened."That bad?"

"Depends on whether you're trying to enjoy your evening or set your throat on fire."

That earned a laugh from him.

I could feel the hotness of his breath against my skin, it was enticing as well as his cologne. Wrapping me in a desire that I didn't know I had before, I want to take this man home and let him fuck me as he wants.

But I wasn't a fool to say that out loud. “You’ve never been here before?”

“There's always a first time for everything.” The bartender slid the shot toward him and Malakai picked it up, studying the amber liquid.

“Well then, cheers.” I raised my glass as he did his, and we chugged it down. The sting of the alcohol burned my tongue, but I toughed it out.

But Malakai couldn't tough it out like I did and coughed, a laugh escaped from me before I could even stop it. "Told you."

"Jesus Christ," he muttered, reaching for the glass of water the bartender immediately placed beside him.

Along the line, I couldn't remember what we were discussing or what he was telling me or even why we were laughing. But his hands were on mine as we left the bar, his smile was all I saw. It was enchanting, luring me deep and deeper and for some reason it made me remember Alister.

But I quickly shut that thought down, if Alister was living his best life across the world then I should too. Instead of waiting like a wife whose husband had run away with his mistress, and that's how I found myself telling this handsome stranger in front of me, grinning from ear to ear.

“I want you to fuck me.”