“Do you have like bed checks and stuff?”
I nodded and noticed Melissa’s elbows planted firmly on the table, her ears taking in every word. “We do. Usually Coach comes by and makes sure everyone’s in their rooms by ten. ”
Her face softened. “Any other rules?”
I felt my mouth form a half smile. “No girls and no drinking,” I said with a chuckle.
She shoved against my shoulder. “I’m sure those rules never get broken, huh?”
“Nope. We’re all complete angels when we’re on the road. ” My gaze darted between Melissa and Cassie, then fell on Dean, silently daring him to contradict me.
Dean let out a hearty laugh. “Angels, my ass. ”
“No, wait wait wait!” Cassie’s voice broke through the chorus of laughter. “Do you guys sneak girls in your rooms? Like random strangers?”
I felt her eyes pierce mine. She wanted the truth and I didn’t want to lie to her. “Yeah. ”
She rolled her eyes at my one-word response.
“Kitten. The eyes. ”
“You’re such a pig. ” She shook her head with disgust.
“This isn’t news! But I’m a changed man, Kitten. I swear it. ” I took her chin in my fingers and pleaded, wanting her to believe me.
“We’ll see about that. ” She stared back at me, her smirk evidence of her disbelief.
“Care to make a wager?” I offered, dying to loosen up the tense atmosphere.
Her face crinkled at my suggestion. “Please, tell me you don’t need a bet to stay faithful. I swear to God, Jack. ”
I felt her body tighten as she angled away from me. With one humorous comment, I’d changed her body language completely. It was as though I could feel her replacing the bricks around her heart that I’d already knocked down. One by one, she cemented them back into place where she felt they belonged.
This away series was going to be the first real test in our relationship. She wasn’t sure she could trust me. I didn’t blame her though, but I was damn sure going to prove her wrong.
SEVEN
CASSIE
I paced nervously around the kitchen while I waited for Jack to arrive.
“Why are you pacing? What the hell’s wrong with you?” Melissa looked up from her textbook and eyed me.
“I don’t know. I’m sorta freaking out,” I admitted, taking a swig from my water glass.
“About what? Seriously, Cass, I haven’t seen the guy even touch another girl since your crazy date that night. ” Melissa tried to catch my gaze, her eyebrows raised.
I shook my head and continued wearing down the kitchen floor. “It’s not that. ”
“Then what is it?” She sat up straighter, laying her pencil in between the pages of her book and closing it shut.
I stopped walking, took another drink, and swallowed forcefully. “I just don’t get why Dean can’t take him to the bus tomorrow. Why does he want me to do it? And why is he leaving me his death machine?”
Melissa sighed heavily. “Jesus, Cassie. Can’t the guy do something nice for you?”
“How is that nice?”
“Last time I checked, genius, your car is sitting pretty back at home. ” She smirked, her head swiveling back and forth in disbelief at my stupidity.