“My Ronnie is making his dream come true. Shit. I’m proud of you.” She wrapped her tiny arms around me, her head positioned right over my heart. “I can’t fucking wait to hear about it. They’re going to love you. I mean, besides those shitty pictures, you’re the perfect recruit.”
I squeezed her shoulders, letting myself enjoy her words and warmth for another minute, then pulled back. “My coach suggested this charity event. It would do well for me to have good publicity. He thinks I should take you. Want to go?”
Her face fell, just enough for me to notice. I had no idea why, but I blew out a sigh of relief when she nodded. “Sure, when is it?”
“Two weeks.” I pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. It escaped from her crazy hairdo, where half of her hair was up in a stylish bun and the other half hung loose. “You look good today.”
She rolled her eyes. “Thanks. I’ll see if Clyde will let me off. It’s close to the holidays and we always get a larger crowd.”
“I’ll make it worth it.” I weaved my arm around her waist, pulling her into my chest. “I promise.”
“How so?” Her voice rose. Good. I liked when my body affected her. I ran a finger over the outline of her piercing, her body tightening in response.
“Trust me. You’ll enjoy every minute of it.”
“Do I have to wear a fancy dress?” She pulled back, putting a distance between us. Her tongue wet her lip and an urge so strong, so sudden hit me. I had to kiss her. And I did.
“Sorry. Your mouth… I needed to kiss you. But yes. You wear a fancy dress. I wear a black suit. We get pictures. Food. Expensive wine.”
“You had me at expensive wine.” She patted my cheek, her neck blotchy from a blush. It wasn’t a hickey, but I felt damn proud to knew I’d put it there.
Chapter Twenty-One
Greta
“I lit the entire three-wick candle with one match. I’m going places in life today.” I blew out the match while Callie chuckled. “Really, I never can do it all in one match. This is a record.”
“Your life is sad.”
“Fuck off, mate.” I took a long whiff off the lavender scent and checked the time. “Are you heading to the guys today?”
“Nah, I need to work with Nicole on more meal plans.” She crossed her eyes. “I love it, but I’m ready for a break.”
“We’re almost at finals baby. So. Damn. Close.”
“I have clinicals with football. I don’t have actual tests except for some econ class I had to take. I have so much to do, I won’t be able to study for it until the day before. I’m fucked.”
“You’ll do great. You always worked hard.” I meant my words, too. “Well, let me know if you need anything. I’m heading over to see Aaron.”
Callie paused, narrowing her eyes at me. “Greta. Can I ask you about him?”
“What about it?”
“Is it real for you?” She glanced at the ground a couple of times while her teeth dug into her lip. That was her signature sign when she was uncomfortable. “I know it’s not my business and I don’t care either way. It just seems like more, you know?”
I blew out a raspberry. It was now or never. “I think it is… I’ll have to tell you everything. But not now, you’re busy and I’m running late. Soon, though. I promise.” I held out my pinky finger, waiting for her to do the same. She did, interlocking our fingers, and we kissed the bases of our fists. “Okay, now go study your ass off.”
“Thanks, G, have fun.” I waved at her, but she spoke again. “I think it’s real for Aaron, too.”
I just smiled.
I wondered if he had developed feelings for me too, as the moments became more intense and intimate. But as soon as I thought maybe, just maybe he reciprocated my feelings, he would say something dumb.
Like how his coach wanted him to ask me. Not him. Or weeks ago, when he’d said I was his for the time remaining. Or how I shouldn’t flirt because of hisimage.Our relationship had always been friendship, the purest form. With the added intimacy, I was gone. The walk to the house didn’t last long—the excitement of seeing Aaron overtook all my emotions.
It would be the last time before he went home for Thanksgiving. He would only be gone for four days but it still saddened me. I smoothed down the edge of my dress, a tight leather one I’d found a couple of weeks ago. It fit my body perfectly, and Aaron would die. He hadn’t told me what our plans were, just that he wanted to teach me things. I shivered with need. I wanted to learn anything I could, especially if we were both naked.
I texted him, waiting outside the door. I knocked, twice, but still no answer. I tried the handle and the door creaked open, but no one was in sight. One of the guys was always in the kitchen or watching TV. It was never this silent.
