“So then ... we agree.” Somehow this feels disappointing to a devastating degree. He’s just going to let it all go?
“Yeah, we agree a relationship isn’t in the cards. But I don’t know, Jade ... hanging with you is about the only fun I’ve had lately. Even being around Cam and the guys isn’t like it used tobe. Even if we’re not talking about football, we’re thinking about it. The pressure just hangs in the air.”
I nod as I finally find the words for the feeling: Being around Reeve is an escape. And it thrills me to know I give him the same feeling.
“Even studying isn’t half bad with you. So let’s keep up what we have. Clearly you need me anyway, ’cause your Spanish is weak as hell.”
I ignore the slight. “So what does that make us? Friends?”
“If that’s what you want to call it.”
“What do you want to call it?”
He looks thoughtful. “We’re two people focused on our goals. And who agree love is for other people. I’d say we’re a match made in heaven.”
Ironically, this comes off as romantic, and so I find myself nodding.
“And if we happen to kiss or whatever, that’s even better,” he adds.
“Or whatever?” I laugh. “What kind of ‘whatever’ are you thinking?”
Reeve shrugs. “No rules, baby. Nothing to fear.”
Nothing to fear.Out of everything he’s said, this is the one I know isn’t true, but I nod because we’re in the dark and all I can see is his face, every inch etched to perfection. I don’t stand a chance.
Besides, I really want to kiss him again.
TWENTY-TWO
reeve
My house is dead silent.
My friends are out partying for the night, celebrating a win I had no part in, so I made the rare decision to come home early and get some sleep in hopes of getting my body back where it needs to be. Problem is, I’m too bored to even sleep. I’m two weeks out from my concussion and feeling good, but while I’ve been practicing with the team, I’m not cleared for games yet, and doctor’s orders are to keep my workouts moderate and get as much rest as I can, so I’ve got all this pent-up energy with nothing to spend it on except stressing about when I’ll play again. Well, that and distracting myself by thinking about Jade.
The two kisses we’ve shared have been the fuel for a hundred sweaty fantasies this last week. Jade is all fire and ice, and it drives me insane. Long before I ever thought of kissing her, just being around her put me on edge because despite the fact she’s constantly mouthing off, something ferocious always dances in her eyes, making me think she’s holding something back after all. It’s intimidating. And I haven’t felt intimidated by a girl since middle school.
So the way she completely submits to me when we kiss issomething I never expected, and I can’t get it out of my head. I can’t getherout of my head; her body, sure, but her volatility too. Her moments of honesty at the most surprising times. I want to know what makes her tick. Hell, I just want to be around her, period, because call it excitement or call it fear, but whenever she walks in, everything inside me wakes right up.
I roll over in bed. Maybe it’s time I force myself to think about something else. Grateful as I am that these thoughts have kept me from losing my mind over this concussion, I’ve played them through my head to death, I’m no closer to sleep, and I’m starting to think I’m tempting fate. I should have gone out with my friends tonight. I hate being alone.
My desperation at its peak, I’m considering pulling out my computer and doing some studying when voices from downstairs cut through the silence and the front screen door slams. Someone yells. There’s a loud bang as something solid hits the floor. I catch Cam’s laugh, and I can tell he’s drunk. Finally, some entertainment. They’ve probably got a couple of good bedtime stories for me. But as I’m getting out of bed and flipping on the light, the distinct sound of female voices floats up from the room below mine. “Of course,” I mutter to myself, turning back to bed. I’m not in the mood to deal with drunk chicks tonight.
A soft knock sounds at my door. “Special delivery,” someone says in an exaggerated falsetto voice.
Goddamn it. I hate when my friends bring rando jersey chasers into the house and let them wander unsupervised. Especially when my door’s not locked. Another knock sounds, louder this time.
“Come out and play,” the voice says.
“Uh, I’m sleeping,” I call out, half expecting whoever she is to walk in anyway. It wouldn’t be the first time a girl came in uninvited with a good time on her mind. It mightbe the first time I turn her down, though. Then I hear hushed, mingled voices right outside my door, male and female. She’s asking him something. A fist pounds on the door.
I recognize Cam’s voice when he yells, “No, he’s definitely not in there with a girl!”
What the hell? Cam’s not usually the one to think getting some random pussy is going to cheer me up. I stomp over to the door and yank it open.
Jade looks back at me, not quite smiling. Suddenly I’m all good feelings. Behind her, Cam is wavering drunkenly and giving me a look that says,This is a bad idea, but you’re welcome anyway.“See? No one in there but your boy,” he tells Jade before giving me a parting look and heading down the hall.
When I look at Jade, her eyes are on my chest. Oh, right—I’m not wearing a shirt. I know she likes what she sees—half my life is spent exercising, how could she not?—but she’s not giving me thosefuck meeyes that chicks always do when they’re checking me out.
