“Appreciate this. Seriously.” I hugged the sweatshirt around me tighter, wishing it would cover me whole. “Didn’t mean to get locked out.”
“Hey, one time, Ty was locked out during a hookup in only his boxers. Had to walk the entire hotel in them where we all fucking saw.” Xavier laughed, hitting his buddy with a pillow. “Remember that, Ty?”
“How could I forget that?” He rolled his eyes, and a kind, thoughtful smile formed. “Don’t feel stupid, okay? It happens to all of us. I’m glad I found you though.”
My throat tightened. These guys were all so kind. They played rough and partied hard, but they were all caretakers and had so much honor. I didn’t know if it was the coach who mentored these guys to be decent or if the team was lucky, but I was grateful. I never let myself think about what-ifs because thatwas useless, but a few snuck in at how unpleasantly the night could’ve gone.
Xavier dressed out of view where Tyler laughed at something on his phone. I felt so awkward. They were accommodating, but I was in their space, unwanted. Being a burden was the most triggering feeling for me. The insecurities busted out of hibernation, and with that, my confidence plummeted, and I spiraled. I’d do rash things just to take my mind off the turmoil.
“Want to play a round of cards? We usually have Uno,” Ty asked.
“Oh, no I don’t want to be a bother. Actually, could you text Quentin? My best friend is with him, and I can crash in their room.” I stood. That was the better idea. Logan wouldn’t care. Hell, I’d sleep in the tub and wear headphones so they could still bang each other’s brains out. I wouldn’t care.
“You’re not a bother at all. Not often a smokeshow in a towel needs to be rescued.” He winked, earning himself a chuckle.
“Smooth. Well done.”
Knock, knock.
I jumped at the intensity of the knocks, goose bumps breaking out over my skin. I already knew who it was. The knocks sounded angry.
“It’s Preston.” The voice boomed, a clear bite of annoyance in every syllable. My stomach bottomed out as I made my way to the door. Manners came first, and I turned with a smile. “Thank you both for the help. You’re such gentleman.”
“I’ll make sure to tell my mom you said that.” Xavier winked, his attention then switching back to the TV.
Tyler waved, and that left me to twist the handle and see Preston’s face. Guilt ate at me for so many reasons. I shouldn’t have pushed him so far with odds. I shouldn’t have stayed in the pool…I stood straighter, preparing myself to handle this face-to-face. I never backed down from a challenge, even if it hurt me. “Preston,” I said, opening the door. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Fuck, Jordan.” He crushed me against his chest, his warm, thick, massively strong chest. His arms wrapped around me, squeezing me as he rested his chin on my head. “I’m so sorry.”
The door to the hotel room shut, leaving us in the hallway. I arched up to look at him, prickles of shock rolling through my body. “Wait… what?”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t in the room. I figured you’d be a while, and I wanted to clear my head. Please forgive me.”
“Forgive you? I was worried you were madat me!”
“No. Even when I want to be, I’m not.” He kissed the top of my head and grabbed my hand. “Come on, I bet you wanna get dressed.”
In less than a minute, we were in our hotel room, door shut, and my lungs felt filled with lead. Preston stared at me, his dark gaze roaming over my body. “Who gave you that?”
“Tyler.”
His left cheek twitched. “He’s a great guy.”
“Yeah, your team is honestly all solid dudes.”
“Like Liam?” he asked, his tone different. I met his gaze and nodded.
“Yeah, he’s wonderful.”
Preston looked like he wanted to say something else. His body leaned forward, his lips parting, but he shook his head and gestured to the bathroom. “I’ll let you get dressed. I’m gonna put something on.”
It felt like a dismissal of sorts, even though he’d apologized to me. Fuck. I was so confused, and I wasn’t like this. Only around him, I’d feel unsettled and off-balance. Everyone else was easy.
“If you don’t mind, could you make a bed on the floor for me?”
He didn’t respond, but I went into the bathroom and quickly changed into my pajamas. They weren’t sexy, just old boxer shorts and an oversized sleep shirt. I removed my makeup, brushed my teeth, peed, and wiped my sweaty palms on the shorts. What would Logan tell me to do?
Be yourself. Don’t let them see you sweat.
