“Your phone,” he commanded softly. Steadying my shaking hand, I dropped it into his open palm. He typed for a moment before handing it back to me. “Text me, I’ll let you know when we head out.”
My voice was lost to shock, so I nodded. He gave me his freaking number. His smirk widened.
“I’ll see you later, Angel.”
With that he strolled out. Thirty minutes after packing up my notes, it dawned on me: He never intended to study. It was an excuse to talk to me. To invite me out. To get my number. I wanted to dismiss it and ignore the flutter in my stomach, the burn in my cheeks and the ache between my legs, but there was no other explanation. Brazen courage fueled by adrenaline stole control of my thumbs as I tapped out the text.
Hey you, it’s Courtney.
10
Ollie
“Whoareyoutexting?”Jack demanded, a beer cap bouncing off my temple. I hissed through my teeth, rubbing the sharp sting with my middle finger to flip him off. “You’ve been glued to your phone.”
“I haven’t,” I snapped and took a swig of whiskey from my flask. In his defense, I never bothered texting. Ever. I hardly opened my phone unless it was absolutely necessary, but the second I saw her name pop up, it was like I snorted a line- the momentary high outweighed the risk.
Courtney: What time should we leave? I just got out of practice and need to shower.
Me: 30 min? And thanks for the visual.
Courtney: LOL you’re welcome?
Fuck. Now I was absorbed in the image of hot water pouring over her naked skin, suds caressing soft curves-
“Brochacho, I don’t know who the fuck is metaphorically massaging your balls, but you look like you’re about to blow your load,” Jack grumbled. How could I explain that the girl I was supposed to be vetting as a possible informant for Merit was the same one consuming me from the inside out with lust so intense it ached?
“Five seconds to speak or I’m stealing your phone,” Jack warned. “Five… four… three-”
“Courtney,” I blurted. “I invited her out with us.”
“Aboutfuckingtime,” Jack exclaimed, slamming his empty beer bottle on the counter of the frat house kitchen. He threw his hands in the air in exasperation. “I’m surprised it’s taken you this long. You’ve been obsessing over her for weeks.”
I almost dismissed him but couldn’t. In a way Ihadbeen obsessing over her, but for entirely different reasons. I was investigating her. I needed her to admit how she maintained an impenetrable wall around her mind. Though, when that bastard left bruises on her skin, my reasons for getting close to her started sounding like excuses.
“Let’s get this show on the road, boys!” Marty called, waddling out of the back room after finishing a deal, a stoned smile plastered on his face. Jack instantly dropped the conversation to rile up Eric and a kid they called Slurp. Drifting behind the group, I opened up my texts again.
Me: Hey you, we’re on our way. Let me know when you’re there.
Minutes passed as we walked with no response. I checked my phone, tucking it in my pocket only to take it out and check it again. Maybe she wouldn’t show. Maybe she was reporting on me right now. Maybe she was fucking with me-
Courtney: My roommate is dropping us off soon :)
The knot in my chest was replaced by queasiness in my gut.
Jack waved to a beefy guy working the door. “Trigger!”
The guy twisted his thick neck, squinting at Jack before breaking into a grin.
“If it isn’t the loose cannon,” He chuckled, ushering our group to the front of the line and strapping wristbands on us. Over summer we frequented the bar enough that Jack had won over and bribed all the staff. My best friend slapped a one-hundred dollar bill in Trigger’s hand.
“Thanks for your service, it won’t be in vain,” he said solemnly, giving his meaty shoulder a squeeze before marching past.
The doorman snorted, “That kid is something else.”
The group of us squeezed into the packed bar, shoes sticking to the floor covered in spilled drinks, straws, and dried vomit. I subtly shifted people out of my way until I locked eyes with the bartender, who began pouring the most expensive whiskey available. He slid me four drinks: Two for me, two for Jack, who accepted them with a grin.
“You know the way to my heart, Sir Oliver Wallis.”
