“Stop it, Grace.” Pushing on my chest, Wren said, “Eli, put me down. I can walk.”
“Sure, but you don’t have to.” I held him tighter. “I’m not letting you go, so deal with it.” With my sights on the hotel lobby, I trod toward it.
“I wish I’d had a big, burly football player to carry me when I hurt my knee last year,” a cheerleader said while standing next to Grace and watching us.
“Bro, what the hell?” With a cackle, Malik jogged to me. “You know the entire team’s talking about you.” He opened the glass door for us.
“Let them.” I didn’t give a fuck anymore. Unlike in high school, I wanted everyone to know he was mine. I strolled into the lobby and headed toward the elevators.
“This is ridiculous, but I see I have no choice.” With a tsk, Wren hooked an arm around my neck.
“Damn right you don’t.” I planted a kiss on the tip of Wren’s nose. He would see how well I could take care of him tonight.
Malik hit the call button for us. “I take it you’ll be licking your wounds from the loss, and maybe other things, in Wren’s room?” He wagged his brows at me.
“Yep.” The elevator dinged, and the door slid open. As I stepped inside with Malik, Casey sped in with us. Let the teasing begin.
With his eyes lighting up, Casey said. “You’re holding him like a baby.” He pinched Wren’s cheek. “Aren’t you cute?” He sniggered.
With my cheeks flaming, I said, “Casey, if you know what’s good for you?—”
“Ah, leave him be. He’s just jealous.” As Wren’s gaze met mine, he bit his lower lip. “His boyfriend isn’t here, remember?”
I blinked a few times. Was that a roundabout way for Wren to claim me as a boyfriend in front of my friends? No, I was putting too much into it.
“And he’ll kick me out of our room so he can sext Ryker.” Malik rolled his eyes.
“Hey, I had to go without him for two nights in a row. It’s not fair I can’t take him with us.” With a mock huff, Casey crossed his arms. “At least you can hook up in person on the road.”
The elevator stopped on the third floor, and I stepped into the hallway. “See you, boys.” My arms ached. I had to hurry, so I didn’t drop him.
“You can put me down now. You’ve made your point.” He flicked a brow up.
“My point?” I ambled into his room and carefully set him on his feet. “What do you mean?” I hadn’t carried him to show off.
Slipping his key card from the pocket of his joggers, he opened the door and attempted to step onto his bad ankle. “Ow, fuck.”
“No, you don’t.” I swooped him up again, brought him to his bed and then laid him down. “You’re done walking tonight.”
“And what if I have to piss in the middle of the night?” He smirked at me.
“Then…I don’t know.” I dropped onto the edge of his bed, my mind replaying his comment at the door. “Wren, I wasn’t making any point. I care about you.”
“I know you do.” He sighed inside a huff. “I guess I’m not used to being cared for this much.” He held my hand and pulled me closer. “Give me a proper kiss.”
“Hell yes.” With a soft smirk, I claimed him with a passionate kiss, my tongue tangling with his, my cock waking.
The door clicked. “Oh, my.” Grace’s voice filled the room.
Breaking the kiss, I slid my gaze toward the door.
She stood at the entrance to the room, her eyes wide and fingers covering her mouth. “Honestly, you two. I gave you the room last night.” With a click of her tongue, she strolled toward us.
“Yes, and thank you for that. Eli was just making me comfortable.” Wren patted the bed beside him. “Come here.”
She climbed onto the bed beside him. “I know what you’re about to ask me.” She gave him a sly grin. “Yes, everyone is talking about you two, and yes, it’s all good.”
Wren let a long breath release. “Thank God.” With a warm glance at me, he threaded his fingers in mine. “I don’t know why, but I was afraid the gossip mill would be mixed.”
