It’s true. Nico’s been playing better than ever.
“Hurry up and shower. We’re leaving in ten minutes.” Nico bats at Cubby, who smooshes his face.
“You’re wound up tight.” Cubby leans in close to the phone, so all I see is one eye, half of his nose, and his busted lip from the game earlier. “You need to relieve him, Jo. Can you do it in the next five minutes while I’m in the shower?”
I grimace. “You are so gross.”
Nico pushes Cubby out of the way, eyebrows raised at me. “Challenge extended, Atkins.”
“Not accepted, Tremblay.”
Nico blows a raspberry while Cubby boos in the background. A moment later, I hear the faint noise of a shower turning on, and then Nico grins. “We got time, babe. Let’s go for the gold and see how fast I can get you off with phone sex.”
I roll my lips over my teeth. “No.”
“Ugh, fine.” He props up his head on his hand and asks me his usual question. “Whatcha get up to today?”
And I fear I’ve gone and done the thing I didn’t want to do.
I’ve fallen for my fake fiancé.
I’m not sure when exactly it happened or if it’s been such a slow process I didn’t even notice because of all the gifts and flowers and smiles and the way he softens his voice when he says “There’s my Jo” whenever I answer his call. I don’t know if it has something to do with my concussion, that I was knocked out and woke up in a sudden fairy tale, or if he’s simply managed to sweep me off my feet, protecting me from my family, and forcing me to come out of my shell.
Or maybe it’s all of it.
I’m not sure, but I can’t deny it anymore.
I really like Nico Tremblay.
I pick up my cell phone, settling it against the pillow on my bed, as if he’s next to me. “I booked a darkroom for the end of the month to develop my film so?—”
“I’m still coming with you, right?”
I snort at his impatience. “Yes, you’re still coming with me,but I really don’t think you’ll enjoy it. The process is long and boring.”
“I don’t care.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so.”
When I give in to a growing smile, he grins. God, I really,reallylike him.
“So, who’s all going to dinner?” I ask, curling up underneath my blanket.
“Me, Sheffy, JP. Cubby’s been DMing with this girl here, so I think she’s going to be joining us with some friends, but don’t worry.”
Since Nico and I have become “engaged,” Cubby’s taken on the role of the team’s sole manwhore. Sweeping up, according to Nico. But I’m not worried, and I tell him so. “I’m the one you’re on the phone with right now, and I’m sure I’ll be receiving asend me a picture of your titsmessage later, so, no, I’m not worried.”
“Sassy Jo is my favorite, and you’re not wrong about that request.”
“And the answer is still no.”
It’s only ten o’clock, but I cover a wide yawn since I stayed up to watch his game in Vancouver last night. I don’t know how Nico does it, his body adjusting to all of the time changes on top of playing games. They have an evening game tomorrow in Vegas, and they’re flying to Philadelphia directly after, with one day off before another at home. It’s nonstop, but Nico always finds time for me.
“We won’t land until midnight tomorrow probably,” he tells me, “but I’ll pick you up early Monday morning. We’ll go to breakfast.”
I huff. “What if I have plans?”
