She nods, continuing to look baffled. “Why does football have to be so complicated?”
I pat her shoulder. “It’s a good thing you’re pretty.”
“Shut up. You know I’ve never been a fan of the game. Too slow and boring.”
“Yup. Which is exactly why I appreciate you tagging along with me today.”
She flashes an evil grin that sends chills scampering down my spine. “Don’t worry, I’ll come up with something torturous for payback.”
I don’t doubt it. She’ll probably force me to stay in for the weekend and binge-watch Gilmore Girls. Mia knows I can’t stand the show. Usually, I’m the one dragging her butt to parties when she would much rather stay home.
An hour and a half later, the buzzer sounds, ending the second quarter of the game and signaling halftime. My attention stays trained on Colton as he jogs off the field. His gaze coasts over the student section before zeroing in on me, and I feel the connection straight down to my toes. He grins before tapping his fist against his chest and pointing toward me.
A sigh escapes from my lips before I can stifle it. Are there little red and pink hearts dancing above my head? Because I think there might be. If I’m not careful, I’m going to fall head over heels in—
“Oh God, you’re falling for him, aren’t you?”
It’s not a question. More like a statement. And not one filled with happiness either.
As tempted as I am to downplay my growing feelings, I don’t want to do that. Mia has been my best friend for nearly a decade. We’ve always been straightforward with one another. Even though she won’t like the answer, I can’t bring myself to lie. “Yeah,” I track his movements until he disappears inside the tunnel, “I am.”
Mia worries her lower lip before gnawing on it. Concern flickers across her expressive features.
When she remains silent, I blurt, “He’s not the guy you think he is.”
“So, what you’re telling me is that he’s only been pretending to be a player, out for one thing all these years?”
I wince as my shoulders slump and some of my pleasure drains away. It’s a complicated question. One I don’t necessarily have an answer for. “I don’t know.” That’s what I’m trying to figure out.
Instead of meeting Mia’s inquisitive stare, I focus on the band marching in formation on the field for the halftime show.
After a few minutes of silence, her arm snakes around me as she leans her head against my shoulder. “I’m just worried you’ll get hurt. That’s all.”
I huff out a breath as some of my defensiveness melts away. It’s not like I don’t understand her concern. Colton is the king of hookups. The guy is nineteen years old, and this is the first time he’s been in a relationship. I would be an idiot not to be cautious where he’s concerned. But that doesn’t mean I can hold back my feelings or pretend they don’t exist.
“I won’t get hurt.” When it comes down to it, I realize that Mia has my best interest at heart. All she’s trying to do is protect me. “We’re taking it slow.”
“Girl, please,” she says with a snort, “you don’t know the meaning of the word slow.”
My lips tremble around the corners. She’s not wrong about that. Where my bestie carefully weighs every decision she makes, I’ve always been a leap-before-looking kind of girl.
Has it gotten me into trouble over the years?
You bet it has. But that’s the way I live life.
“I think you’re already in love with the guy.” There’s a beat of silence before she adds in a serious tone, “You’ve always been in love with him.”
Instead of acknowledging the truth, I press my lips together and remain silent.
This is the problem with having a best friend who knows you so well. She’s able to figure out all your dirty little secrets. Even the ones you try to hide from yourself.
Chapter Six
Colton
February of sophomore year...
Alyssa is wrapped up in my arms as my mouth roves hungrily over her neck. She arches, allowing me better access to her delectable flesh. A little moan escapes from her as she shoves the key into the lock.
Once.
Twice.
After three failed attempts, she whispers, “You need to stop that, or I’ll never get this door open, and we’ll end up having sex in the hallway.”
I don’t care where we screw, as long as I can get inside her. My cock is so damn hard that it’s all I can focus on. The moment I slide deep inside her is always one of pure nirvana. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. There’s a little voice inside my brain that wonders if I ever will again. Since that’s not an entirely comfortable thought, I shove it away before I can examine it too closely.
“Colton.”
My name comes out sounding more like a breathy sigh, and it does the impossible and makes me harder. I’ll be honest, I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. Her skin is too damn sweet. I’m tempted to gobble her up in one tasty bite. I’ve had my fair share of chicks over the years, but I’ve never craved anyone the way I do her. She’s like a drug pumping wildly through my system. Sometimes it feels like way too much, way too soon. And that scares the shit out of me. There are times when I’m struck with the urge to pull away in an effort to regain my bearings, but I always stop short of actually doing it.