The volume of the speakers boomed across the campus lawn as Santino Mazzone, standing on the picnic table in front of the student building, held a bright red megaphone.
“—Listen up, sinners of Harrowgate! —”
Santino’s voice resonated with impeccable theatricality
"—. As you all know, fate decided that Rodney and I were born a few days apart. And since two hockey legends can’t settle for mediocre celebrations, this weekend the hockey house opens its doors for the event of the year: our joint birthday party."
An enthusiastic cheer swept through the gathered crowd. Beside you, Ruth sighed and leaned against Denny’s side, who wrapped her in that protective embrace he’d adopted since they made their relationship official. You could only force a smile, feeling the constant, heavy weight of Clem Ferraro’s arm on your shoulders.
Clem, one of the star players on the university’s lacrosse team, had spent months turning your life into a rollercoaster of jealousy, late-night calls, and exhausting arguments. With his athletic build and the lacrosse jacket stretched across his back, he pulled your shoulder against his side a little harder than necessary.
“—Make sure you find a costume I like, babe —”
Clem murmured in your ear, his possessive voice making your skin crawl for all the wrong reasons
"—. I don't want you showing too much skin in front of these hockey apes."
“—They haven’t announced the theme yet, Clem —”
you replied in a low voice, trying to look away from Ruth’s watchful gaze, who was observing you with evident concern.
“—And the rule is simple —”
Santino continued from the table, pointing at the crowd with a calculating smile
"—. This year's theme is Pairs. Pair costumes are mandatory. No coming alone, no solo costumes. If you don’t show up as a coordinated duo, Denny and Ike won’t let you cross the door of our house. You have 48 hours."
“—He’s an absolute idiot —”
Ruth muttered through gritted teeth, turning toward you as the crowd's attention began to disperse
"—. Denny, tell him it’s insane."
“—Pass, Vandekamp. You know that once Mazzone gets a party in his head, there’s no stopping him —”
Denny replied, although his blue eyes flickered for a second toward Clem's hand, firm and tight on your arm, with a flash of open disapproval.
“—Well, problem solved —”
Clem interjected with a self-satisfied air, letting out a dismissive snort toward the hockey guys
"—. We'll get some simple costumes, go to their party for a couple of hours so those idiots see we're not afraid of them, and then we leave to my apartment."
Ruth stepped one step closer to you, seeking your gaze with determination while Clem got distracted answering a message on his phone—a screen he locked immediately the moment you leaned a millimeter.
“—You know you don’t have to go with him if you don’t want to, right? —”
Ruth told you in a low voice so only you could hear
"—. It's the guys' house. If you need a breather this weekend, Denny and I can arrange it."
Before you could answer, Clem tugged your arm again to walk toward the parking lot, leaving you with a knot in your stomach. The party at the hockey house promised to be absolute chaos, but the real storm was already walking beside you.