“You didn’t.” He pulls his hands away, and I watch his shoulders fall when he sees me standing. “It’s early, are you going back to bed?”
“Yeah, I think,” I tell him, even though there is no way I’m falling back to sleep after that. Memphis stands up, and I realize he probably wants to lie down too, so I get out of his way and head toward the stairs. I can feel him behind me the entire time. I’m actually curious about which room he’s been using. I tried to figure it out earlier today but couldn’t.
I know from the sound of his footsteps that he doesn’t stop at the first or second room. Maybe he needs the bathroom, but he passes that too, leaving only one option—my room.
My heart is beating crazy fast, but I pretend not to notice he’s right behind me and pull down the covers to my bed.
From the corner of my eye, I see Memphis walk over to the balcony door and test the knob. I deflate a little. He was just checking the locks. I slip into bed and tuck my toes under the covers. “I keep it locked, Memphis. You don’t have to worry.”
“I know, but I need to make sure. Does it bother you?” My eyes track his movements as he goes around the other side of the bed.
“No, I just don’t want you to worry about me so much.”
“Is this okay?” He touches the bed, making it clear he’s asking if he can sit down.
“Yeah.” I pull the covers up over me a little. I don’t know why this feels so different than lying on him while I slept on the couch, but it does.
Memphis doesn’t pull back the covers, but he does lie down next to me. A small groan leaves his lips, and the hair on my arms stands up.
“Oswald said your beds were made of fairy fucking clouds.” He turns to look at me with the corner of his lips quirked up.
I laugh because I can imagine him saying that. “Should we go wake him up? I feel bad that he slept on the couch when he has to play today.”
“No. If we wake him up, he’ll want to steal my spot, and I’m not giving it up.” His eyes meet mine, and I swear there’s more meaning in his gaze than just his spot in the bed right now.
“Okay,” I agree softly.
“Close your eyes, Waylynn.” I snap my eyes shut at his command. Am I making things weird? “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to get myself in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?” I surprise myself with my flirty tone.
“Do you really want me to answer that question?” His voice is low, gravelly.
“No, not yet.” Apparently, I’m not as brave as I thought when pressed.
“Good girl,” he rasps, and I let out a dreamy little sigh. “Now go to sleep.”
Bates
I knockon the door again, even though I didn’t get an answer the first time. There’s no way he left already. It’s too early, and we always meet here before the game because parking is a bitch.
When I push out of the apartment door, I scan the lot, not seeing his truck. “I’ll be a son of a bitch,” I curse, pulling out my phone to call him. I can’t believe I didn’t notice he wasn’t here.
“Where are you?” I ask as soon as he answers.
“Heading home. I just dropped off Oz.”
“Oh.” I lean against the building. I thought he ditched me for Waylynn, not that I would blame him, but still. “I’m at the apartment.”
“Be there in a minute,” he tells me before disconnecting.
Within two minutes, the truck is pulling into the small parking lot. When Memphis gets out, he’s in khakis and a button-up.Walk of shame.I won’t give him shit until we’re in the house.
He beats me to the punch as he’s unlocking the door. “I need a shower.”
If he spent the night with Waylynn, I would think he’d be…happier, but he just seems frustrated. “Do I want to know what you were doing?” If Memphis wants something real from Waylynn and he just fucked it up with a hookup, he’s going to be an asshole all day.
“I—we spent the night at Waylynn’s.” He starts unbuttoning his shirt.
