Now it was just me and her, the noise of the party a dull roar in the background. I leaned down, lowering my voice until it was meant only for her. “My ego’s not worried about competition.” I leaned closer, my lips brushing her ear. “You felt it yourself, I don’t have anything to worry about.”
Her lips parted, ready to fire back, but I could see it — the flicker in her eyes that said she wasn’t sure whether to shove me away or let me stay closer.
And God, I wanted closer.
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” she said, turning her head away. “He’s gorgeous,” she said with a small smile, her eyes following Noah.
“What the fuck?” I felt like she’d sucker punched me.
She nodded, sipping her water. “Have you seen him? He’s tall.” She glanced at me. “Taller than you, that thick dark hair, those eyes, like warm chocolate, and those biceps... mmhmm,mmhmm. Tasty.” She licked her lips. “I’ve only seen him twice without his football helmet on, you know. Saturday and tonight. But yeah, not too shabby at all.”
I forced a smile. “He’s gorgeous or he’s not too shabby? Make up your mind, Sav.”
She pretended to think about it. “You’re right. Shabby and him don’t belong in the same sentence.”
I nodded as I watched the crowd. “Good that you picked a side,” I murmured, finishing my soda.
Sav turned to face me, barely hiding her smile. “Did I finally shut the great Dante Spence up?” she teased.
“It takes more than you swooning over my roommate,” I assured her, even though I seriously doubted the honesty of my own words.
“Mmhmm.” She turned back, but she didn’t move away, leaning her back into me, and I curled my arm around her waist, pulling her into me more. She froze for a second and then relaxed.
“You picked my side?” I asked her, my lips brushing across her cheek.
“Seems I did.”
We watched the party, a few teammates came up and spoke, but I noticed both Dust and Noah lingered nearby, almost as if they were running defense on who got through their line to me. Or more likely, Sav.
“You want to get out of here?” I asked her quietly a while later, relieved when she nodded.
I took her hand, holding it firmly when she went to pull away, until her hesitation passed and she let me lead her across the floor. I didn’t need to speak to either of my roommates as we made our way to the door.
We’d barely lasted an hour. As the door closed behind me, she didn’t pull her hand away.
“Where to?” I asked softly.
“You want to walk me home?” she asked, not meeting my eyes.
“No.” I smiled when her surprised look met mine. “But I will.”
The rain had stopped, but it was still cool and overcast.
“I left the umbrella behind,” I said, keeping my voice light. “But my room is right upstairs, and I know you noticed — my roommates aren’t in.”
She hesitated for a second, the indecision clear in her eyes, before she looked up at the sky. “It does look like the rain isn’t that far away.” A quick glance at me, and she saw my nod. “Um... do you have coffee?”
“Yeah, we’re not savages, Savage.”
We walked up the stairs in silence. The tension stretched between us like a live wire.
By the time we reached my apartment, I wasn’t sure if I would make it a minute more without touching her.
The door pushed open, and I stood back to let her in. I heard her gasp and followed in, and frowned when I saw nothing out of place.
“What is it?” I asked her, shutting the door.
Savannah turned to glare at me. “This place is huge!”
