“Well.” I pause as my own internal warnings about Dylan go off in my head. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s still planning to discuss it with you?”
“I doubt it. He’s been totally blowing me off.” Lilla returns to a prone position on the bed. “We had the most passionate night together, but today…nothing.”
“Lil,” I say. “Why don’t you just ask him straight out? You know, rather than worrying yourself sick over it?”
“Good idea! Mind if I use your phone?” She’s already up and crawling toward it.
“Well, actually, I think that’s more of a private thing…” I begin. “And whatever happened to a cell phone?”
She’s already dialing. “I don’t want him to recognize the number. So calling him from the hotel phone is the only way.”
“I’m just going to step outside while you talk.” I grab my phone and run for the door.
“Hi, baby, it’s me. What? It’s Lilla, you dumb-ass!”
I groan as I slip outside the room. I sit down on the hallway floor and wait it out.
Ten minutes go by. I really wish I’d brought a book out to read. I hear some yelling from Lilla, and I’m really glad I’m out here.
“Hey, Jasalie.”
I look up at Colton Wild as he peers down at me. As the team’s star tight end, Colton’s huge—stockier than Dylan and with enormous arms. He’s an impressive figure in the otherwise empty hallway.
“Hello, Mr. Wild.” I jump up.
He grins. “Please call me Colton.”
“Okay.”
“I’m on my way to the ice machine. The one on my floor is broken.” He tips his head at the empty plastic bucket in his left hand.
I nod politely.
“How are things going?” he asks me.
I swallow. “Um…”
He chuckles. “I’m not snooping around for Dylan. Don’t worry.”
I smile. “I know he’s your cousin and your best friend. That’s nice you get to be on the same team.”
“It’s a lifesaver,” he says soberly. “Neither of us would have survived the lifestyle otherwise. Anyway, Dylan’s happy,” Colton says with a genuine smile. “Reminds me of myself when I met Sky. My wife. We’re newlyweds.”
I swallow hard. “Oh. Congratulations on your marriage. That’s exciting.”
“We’ll have to all go out together sometime. Maybe when we get back to L.A.”
I nod politely. But Colton just stands silently, waiting for me to say something.
“Um,” I stammer. “That would sure be a surprise. Dylan and I kind of…”
Colton smirks. “I know about the ‘deal’ you two struck. Dylan can be a stubborn ass.”
“Well, I’m not any better. I realize what we’re doing sounds crazy.”
“Nope. Not to me. I know Dylan better than anyone. I get how guarded he is. And it sounds like he’s met his match.”
I let out a long breath. “Guess so.”
