“More than ten, yeah.” I ran my hand over my jaw, my muscles tensing. I wasn’t against parties on nights off, but Dean usually let me know. Fuck. Did he and I missed it? I pulled my pocket from the charging spot and winced. Sure enough, there were texts from them an hour ago.
Dean: I need a distraction. Can we party tonight? I’ll clean up tomorrow.
Oliver: I’m in.
Callum: If I ever say no, know I’ve been taken
Dean: Luca, that cool with you? I’ll block off your hall.
“Are you alright with it?” Lorelei asked me, her voice small. “I can see if Dean will kick people out if it’s too much. I know—”
“You’re worried about me.”
“Well yes. It’s not a game night.” She ran her teeth over her bottom lip, concern etching itself all over her face. Her nose wrinkled, and the line between her brows dipped. Her wild hair cascaded over her shoulders.
“I was worried aboutyou.” I played with the ends of her hair, the same tight feeling in my chest expanding. I stretched well yesterday so there was no reason to be sore, but the sensation wasn’t pleasant. Rubbing my hand over it, I cleared my throat. “Seeing you worry about me… it makes me want to kiss you.”
And be with her despite football and Dean and my future.
“Yeah?” She arched a brow. “Then you better find me. In there. But be careful.” She leaned over the console, nipped my bottom lip, and dove out of the car before I could stop her.
“Hey, Lo! Wait!”
She winked, and goddamn it, that little gesture should’ve been the final clue that I was so fucking fucked. I parked the truck in a daze, still horny from making her come but also dizzy with how much she cared about people. From her brother to her team to my grandma to me… her heart had to be ten times bigger than mine.
She couldn’t separate feelings and sex because of trust. That meant she trustedme.That came with additional guilt because no matter what happened, I’d always pick football. She knew that. Accepted it. But what did she trust me with then? Her heart?
Stop using your excuses, idiot.I ignored the intrusive thought, damn well aware I was leaning on the football defense because it was easy. Letting her in meant I could get hurt again. I knew what I felt like to be left behind. Why the hell would I put myself in a position to give someone that power? My parents had crushed me. This was no different.
“She has that effect on people.” Dean leaned against the back porch, his hands in his hoodie pocket. I jumped, not aware my teammate could see me.
What if I kissed his sister? In front of him?
For the first time in years, the thought of breaking my own code seemed like a good option. Would he really tackle me in front of everyone? No.
I studied his expression, my reactions based on his offense here. He didn’t seem mad, curious almost. “What do you mean?”
“My sister.” He smiled, shaking his head as he stared off toward the back alley where we stored the trash. “We give each other crap a lot, but she’s one of my favorite people ever. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”
“You’re both lucky.” I pocketed my hands, my stomach downright caving in on itself. Did he know? Was he guessing? Was this a warning?
“I feel that way about you too, you know.” He rocked back on his heels, his gaze slicing into me.
“What are you trying to say?” Shit. Shit. I didn’t want to hash this out even though I wanted Lo desperately. If we talked about this—that meant I had to be honest with her and try, something that terrified me. Giving someone the opportunity to hold my heart in their hands.
“I never thought I had to worry aboutyou.Callum? Yes. Oliver? Sure. But Luca Monroe? Never.” He ran a hand down his face, groaning. “Fuck.”
Some people panicked in a fight or flight moment but never me. My gaze became heightened, my focus better. The sounds of cars miles away faded, and every hint of expression on his face was a clue. His eyes were a bit lazy, like he’d been drinking. He said he wanted a distraction, so he hosted a party on a night that wasn’t a game.
Did he need a distraction fromthis,or was something else going on?
“What exactly do you think happened?”
“You and Lorelei?”
“Again, what do you thinkhappened?You’re insinuating shit and talking in circles, but you’re not actually accusing me of anything. You told me recently you were glad she made me happy since we’ve been friends.”
“You both got out of your car.”
