I nearly spat out my champagne. “Good plan. Then I’llreallytake care of you.”
By the time the evening wound down, my brain was fried. The gray-haired woman went to the mic and thanked everyone for coming. Wearing my for-the-fans smile, I caught Pack’s eye and mouthed,Ready? He nodded, and we made our way toward the elevators.
The ride up was silent except for the faint thud of my pulse in my ears. The doors slid open, revealing a dim, hushed hallway. An abandoned housekeeping cart stood at one end, and the air smelled faintly of lemon polish. We walked side-by-side to Pack’s door. He turned toward me and leaned a shoulder against the frame. “See you in the morning, I guess.”
My stomach tanked. Underneath his gentle voice, there was an edge.
“Yeah,” I said. “Night, Pack.”
As I started to turn away, our hands brushed. Static electricity caused a spark, and I grazed the side of his hand with my thumb.
He turned away and swiped his key card. I started toward my room, my heart already heavy. We were either still learning how to do this, or he was having regrets.
Behind me, his door creaked open, and I turned. He was watching me, one hand on the knob, the other hanging loose at his side. His beautiful eyes found mine, and for a moment, neither of us moved.
To hell with it.
I jogged back, stopping inches away from him. The air between us buzzed with uncertainty until he smiled and reached for my hand.
19/
packy
Sunday Morning
“Goddammit. Look at this shit.”Nico’s face was almost as red as it had been when we’d jerked each other off half an hour earlier.
“What?” I asked.
He held his phone so I could see a picture of us on Instagram. “Look at the fucking thing. The caption says:
When rivals start adjusting each other’s ties, it’s time for a stronger word than chemistry. #NotJustRivals #Packo.
“Shit.” I grabbed the phone to get a better look. “Youareadjusting my tie. Did you really do that?”
“I guess, but what’s the big deal?”
“For fuck’s sake. Listen to these comments.” I started reading.
@stickrabbit149: That look!!!! I’ve seen rom-coms with a lot less tension. #RivalryThatKissesBack #PackoForever
@QuebecQueenieboy: I was there. Hope the HFNA isn’t paying for 2 rooms. #PackoNation
“Bullshit.” Nix looked scandalized. “Where do they get this stuff?”
I gave him my best smirk. “Well, it isn’t like we actuallyusedtwo rooms.”
“Butthey don’t know that.” He took the phone from me, scrolled down the screen, and practically shrieked.
“What now?” I asked.
“Goddamn these people. This must be the one from last night.” He turned the phone so I could see.
I gasped. Nico had his hand so low on my back it looked like he was squeezing my ass. “Is that a trick?” I asked. “Did he mess with that?”
“I don’t know.” Nix looked at me, then back at the screen. A few seconds later, he groaned. “Brace yourself, Pack. Some of our teammates commented.”
Heads together, we read the comments, cursing louder at each one.
