“Yak it up, ladies,” Ritter grumbles, catching my eye in the rearview mirror. “Your luck is bound to run out. You know Coach likes to rotate room assignments to foster team building or some shit.”
“More likely to stop players from killing each other,” Everett adds, shaking his head.
We pull into the car park and pile out, grabbing our bags and heading to the waiting bus. Coach Raynor marks our names off, and we store our bags under the bus before climbing aboard.
The hum of the engine vibrates underfoot as we find seats. Ritter claims a spot by the window, and I slide in next to him. Everett plants his arse in front of us, already settling his headphones on, and Blake sprawls himself on the seat across.
The last of the players straggle on, then the bus eases out of the car park, and I lean back, listening to the chatter and laughter of the guys with the familiar mix of nerves and anticipation buzzing through me.
We scrapedin a messy win against Westhope University three-two, securing fourth spot on the ladder. After our dismal start to the season, things are looking up. Next Friday night, we play BHU again on their home turf, and I have no doubt we have what it takes to beat them. It’s also Euphoria’s masked night, and I’m excited to celebrate with my mysterious shadow. I haven’t had sex in months, and the thought of him punching into me with that Prince Albert piercing has my cock twitching in my pants.
Coach Johnson calls for quiet as the bus pulls into the motel car park after the game, and Ritter shoots me a hopeful look as Coach Raynor calls out room assignments.
Everett and Blake high-five when their names are called out together. Ritter groans when he finds out he’s bunking with Dane. But my heart stops when I hear my roommate’s name.
Noah fucking Bentley.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I turn my head to the back of the bus, finding our captain—there’s no way he’ll be okay with this—but he avoids my gaze, turning to say something to Jasper.
“Swap you,” Ritter offers, but we both know it’s futile. Coach won’t change assignments. We’re a team, and we’re expected to act as such.
“This should be fun,” I mutter as I push to my feet and make my way off the bus.
Coach hands me a key, and I grab my bags. I don’t bother waiting for Noah, trudging over to our room and claiming the bed closest to the door.
Kicking off my shoes, I lie back with my hands behind my head, staring at the ceiling. The door opens and closes, but I don’t say anything. The ball’s in his court.
There’s a thud as he drops his bags on the floor, and thesqueak of mattress springs as he settles on his bed. Then nothing.
A weird energy thrums through me, and my chest tightens. Not knowing what Noah’s thinking about rooming with me has me on edge, but I’m not about to break the ice. He’s the captain, and he’s the one who’s been a dick to me for the past eight months. I don’t owe him shit.
“Tough game tonight,” he mutters, his voice cutting through the tension.
My jaw tightens. Here we go. The blame game is about to start.
“No kidding,” I snap.
He exhales sharply. “Look, I know I’ve been a dick to you, but I’d rather not spend the night wondering if you’re going to shiv me in my sleep.”
I sit up and glare at him. “Me? You’re the one who can’t stand being anywhere near me, scared people are going to question your sexuality.”
A weird expression crosses his face, but he masks it quickly. “My sexuality is no one’s business.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, shaking my head.
Grabbing my bag, I stalk into the adjoining bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. When I return, he’s still lying on top of the sheets, tapping away at his phone.
“Texting your girlfriend?” I don’t know why a pang of jealousy hits me when I say the words. I don’t give a shit what Noah Bentley does with his time or who he’s dating.
“What?” Confusion crinkles his brow.
“The pretty blonde you’ve been seeing?” It’s none of my business, and I don’t know why I’m pushing this, but I can’t seem to shut my mouth.
Recognition flashes in his eyes. “Hannah? Oh… yeah. I’m, uh, just texting her about the game.”
Idon’t know why, but I get the sense he’s lying. It doesn’t stop the next words coming out of my mouth.
