there’s a plane
I’m going to be on it
Zach
your dad said
Me
my dad said a lot of things
my dad said I’m not allowed near the arena
he didn’t say anything about hotels
Zach
the door will be open
The gate agent calls boarding. I put my headphones in, tuck the box under the seat in front of me, and watch the ground drop away.
I landat 11:40 and text Rodriguez from the Uber.
Me
I’m here. What floor is my dad on
Rodriguez
4. Do NOT go to 4. His room is right by the elevator
Use the side entrance by the pool
Me
you’re a good person Romeo Rodriguez
Rodriguez
I preferaccomplice
Zach pulls the door open before I can even lift my hand to knock. I had a whole bit prepared for this moment—something casual likeroom serviceordid someone order a fugitive, lines I’d rehearsed just to break the tension.
I don’t need it. The second I see him, the words evaporate.
I drop my bag and launch myself at him. My hands tangle in his hair as I push up onto my toes, but he’s already lifting me, his arms wrapping tight around my waist before my mouth even reaches his. He drags me into the room and the heavy hotel door clicks shut behind us, sealing us in.
“Take your pants off,” I whisper frantically against his jaw, my hands scrambling to pull the hem of his shirt up over his chest.
“Mackie, what the hell? You got here five seconds ago.”
“I know. And I haven’t touched you since Game 1. I’m going crazy.”
He looks down at me with that expression I’ll probably never get used to. “Fuck, I can’t believe you flew out here,” he breathes, a disbelieving laugh shaking his chest.
Then he dumps me backward onto the mattress. The frantic energy takes over, a clumsy, desperate scramble as we shove our clothes aside. His hands pin my hips to the sheets, heavy and grounding, and the moment his mouth is on me I forget every word I’ve ever spoken.
“God—” I cry out, arching into him, and his head snaps up immediately.
