He cocks his head, calling my bullshit. “Come on, Jade.”
“I don’t know,” I say again. I grab the nearest object—a comb on the countertop—and fidget with it. “The decisions I’ve made so far haven’t exactly amounted to anything. I guess I wanted a fresh start. I didn’t want to be tied to the life I have here.”
I can’t read his face at all. His expression is one I don’t recognize, which unsettles me. He turns away to test the water. If I said what was in my heart, I’d tell him that I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t want to think anywhere outside this campus or anytime beyond graduation day. I’d tell him that next to him, Spain suddenly holds no appeal. But what if that’s the last thing he wants to hear from me?
Reeve drops his underwear to the floor. “I guess it’d be nice if I said I could relate, but I’m holding tight to the life I’ve created here. It’s pretty much all I have.”
I stand there speechless and watch him get into the shower, unable to come up with an adequate response. I feel dazed,ambushed by his questions and exposed by his insight into me and Sam. But he’s right about all of it.
I thought I had it easy with Sam; he worshipped me. But the inequality went both ways. While he was working to prove he was worthy of sharing my bed, I was always trying to live up to the standard he set: that I was out of his league. I didn’t recognize the struggle then, only that as much as Sam seemed to love me, I could never completely relax around him. I don’t ever want to feel that way again.
After a minute, Reeve takes pity on me and motions me into the shower. I move immediately for the safety of his body, clothes and all. He doesn’t seem to find it strange that I walk into his shower fully clothed; he just kisses me and peels the wet clothes away.
THIRTY-ONE
jade
It’sdawn when the cool, aquatic scent of Reeve nudges me out of sleep. I wrap myself tighter in the warm cocoon of sheets and blankets but force my eyes open. Meanwhile, he’s bright-eyed as he sits on the edge of the bed in his workout gear.
“You’re leaving already?” I croak. Shafer plays at home later this morning, and Reeve is starting, which explains why he looks like he’s been up for hours.
He nods. “So guess where we’re going tonight?”
“I’m guessing the Phantom so you can have praise lavished upon you and a dozen blow job propositions like every other Saturday night?”
“We’re going to the woods.” He waggles his eyebrows.
“The woods.”
“Yep. Annual tradition, baby. Lorenzo’s lake house, Shafer football’s four biggest studs. Oh, yeah, and whichever lucky girls we feel like bringing along with us. You’re in luck this year.”
“Is that right?” I laugh. “And which lucky girl was your pick last year?”
“I don’t remember her name.”
I grab his arm. “Bullshit.”
He takes my hand and kisses me from my palm to my elbow. “Okay, how about this? I don’t care about her name.”
“Much better.”
He pulls the blankets off me, slaps my thigh, and stands. “Now get up, beautiful. You have a bag to pack and a game to attend. Car leaves as soon as we walk out of the locker room.”
“Wait, really?”
“Really.”
I sit up on one elbow. “Um, thanks for the advance warning. I’m covering Lori’s shift tonight.”
“I like to keep my girl on her toes.” He winks. “No worries, I’ll get Jorge to take your shift.”
Even though I could use the money, I don’t argue, too intrigued by the sudden invitation. “And what am I supposed to pack?”
“Warm clothes and a swimsuit.”
“A swimsuit? It’s October.”
“Skinny-dipping is also an option, and I can promise you Cash will opt for that one and insist the rest of us do too. But I don’t want my friends drooling over your insane body, so I vote swimsuit.” He leans down and kisses me. “I gotta go. Will I see you in the stands?”
