Alex slapped me on the ass before hauling his out of bed. “Better be, love. Pretty sure you’re my new good luck charm.”
Love?Well, that was a new one.
I followed him into the bathroom, and we both showered quickly. Then got dirty again, and then showered again. Between kisses, I broke the news to him that we couldn’t do the hotel over the weekend. As far as he was concerned, I’d be helping Mattie on an assignment for environmental science class—something he’d taken surprisingly well. Then again, the whole point had been to do exactly what we’d just done in his dorm room instead.
Eventually I got dressed and turning on my palm reader. I’d shut it down last night, to prevent any distractions.
Messages buzzed at me. Over and over.
Flicking through them, I saw a ton from Mattie asking where I was. One from Nolan requesting another movie night. And one from Jordan asking where the fuck I was.
Something told me that wasn’t solely from Jordan. It had a very Rafe vibe about it, but then again, those two were best friends for a reason.
“I gotta head to the field, Coach makes us do these team bonding things before big games,” Alex said, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me toward his door. “Want me to walk you to your room?”
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m all good. You go and do your thing, and I’ll see you after the game.”
He opened his door, and as we stepped out I realized that the hall was full of people. Eyes turned to me, and I fought the blush that wanted to rise to my face. Alex didn’t seem to notice or care, leaning in to kiss me before he turned and strode away, all relaxed and smiling. Meanwhile, I was about to do a fucking walk of shame through most of the population of the school.
No one said anything, but that didn’t stop them from staring.
“Nothing to see here,” I finally said, biting the words out. “Mind your own business.”
A few smirks and then people went back to whatever bullshit they’d been doing before I’d stepped out and created a scene.
“They’re just not used to anyone being in Alex’s room,” Nolan said, falling into step with me.
I hadn’t even noticed him there, and I wasn’t sure if I was relieved that he’d been in the hall to witness my humiliation.
“Alex doesn’t date girls?”
Nolan snorted. “He fucks girls and sends them on their way. You’re the first to make it until morning.”
Oh, well, that was both awesome and gross at the same time.
“Were you here to check up on me?” I asked, wondering if his appearance was a coincidence or not. Nolan’s room was nowhere near Alex’s, so why was he in this hall? “And shouldn’t you be heading for the soccer field?”
Nolan shot me a measured stare. “Mattie was worried about you. We all were. You shouldn’t just turn your palm reader off, especially after what happened with Brandon.”
Immense guilt slammed into me, and I wondered how I’d turned into the shitty friend. “I’m really sorry,” I said softly. “I just wanted to be with Alex and not have all the judgment.”
At the end of the day, that had been the reason. I hadn’t wanted anyone to talk me out of spending the night with him.
“The fact that we knew you were with Alex and we still worried should tell you everything you need to know about him,” Nolan said shortly.
A sigh escaped because I knew there was no way I was ever changing their minds about the Australasian prince. The hatred was deeply ingrained after all these years. Mattie had slightly come around, but the guys … not a chance.
“Anyway, I’d better get to team meeting,” Nolan added, before glancing at my palm reader. “And you should reply to those messages.”
I nodded, and he leaned over and kissed my cheek before turning to walk away. My chest hurt, and I couldn’t quite figure out why.
Back in my room, I took another shower and changed into some torn-up jeans, black boots that ended just above the cuffs, and a long-sleeved black shirt. It was freezing outside, so I added a biker jacket to match the boots, figuring I could take it off in the heated stadium.
A loud knock on the door startled me just as I was grabbing my palm reader. “The fuck, bitch?” Mattie said as the door swung open.
I laughed. “Good morning to you as well. Glad to see the princess decorum classes are paying off.”
Mattie waved a hand, dismissing my words. “Girl, you’re just lucky I didn’t smash Alex’s door down and drag that limp dick off you.”
