Contents
Chapter Two: Aurora
Overview
Aurora visits the basketball team’s farewell party to say a final goodbye to friends-with-benefits Ryan. After a barbed exchange with arrogant freshman Mason, she heads to the hockey house for JJ’s send-off. There, Aurora meets Russ, whose warmth and awkward charm spark immediate chemistry, leading to an invitation to join drunk Jenga.
Summary
Aurora breaks her plan to skip the basketball farewell and stops by to see Ryan Rothwell, her casual hookup, one last time before his NBA draft. In the kitchen, she’s harassed by freshman Mason Wright, whom she loathes, and pointedly needles him about his secret connection to his father, the athletic director.
Ryan finds Aurora, gently warns her about Mason’s sensitivity over his dad, and shares an unexpectedly tender goodbye. He reassures Aurora about her future happiness, while she downplays romance and jokes about her own patterns, ending their fling on warm, affectionate terms.
Leaving for the hockey house to support her friend Emilia as they say goodbye to JJ, Aurora is surprised by the tidy, homey vibe. In the kitchen, she awkwardly meets Russ, a soft-spoken hockey player who lives there. After she spills soda, Russ calmly cleans up and helps her find real glasses, their playful banter building attraction.
Emilia arrives, recognizes Russ as JJ’s friend, and invites them to a game of drunk Jenga set up with dares by Robbie and JJ. Intrigued, Aurora accepts Russ’s suggestion to come along, their easy connection setting the stage for what could become something more.
Who Appears
- Aurora RobertsNarrator; ends a casual fling with Ryan, bickers with Mason, meets Russ and feels instant, surprising chemistry.
- RussHockey player and house resident; kind, slightly awkward; helps Aurora in the kitchen and invites her to drunk Jenga.
- EmiliaAurora’s friend; escorts her to the hockey house, recognizes Russ, and invites them to drunk Jenga.
- Ryan RothwellSenior basketball player; Aurora’s FWB. Shares a tender goodbye before his NBA draft, cautions her about Mason.
- Mason WrightCocky freshman basketball player; taunts Aurora. Sensitive about his secret dad, the athletic director.
- JJHockey player friend of Emilia; leaving to go pro and co-runs the drunk Jenga dares.
- RobbieHockey house resident; helps set up drunk Jenga with JJ.