“You did?” There’s relief and excitement in Mills’ voice. I almost smile because at least now I know Torres isn’t just a dick to me and the team. He’s a dick to everyone, and him giving a kind remark is really hard for people to digest. “That means a lot to me, Quin. Seriously. I enjoy hanging out with you. I’m glad you called me and I got you to come here.”
“Yeah. I appreciate it. Well, don’t keep your lady waiting, man. We’ll catch up in the morning.”
“Damn right. Goodnight, man.”
The bedroom door clicks shut and I pull my ear from the bathroom door, unlocking it and walking out. “Everything okay?”
Torres steps around the corner, his eyes finding mine. “This can’t get out, Amber.”
I don’t need to ask what he’s talking about. Instead, I lower my gaze. “I know it can’t.”
“No, I mean you really can’t tell anyone about what happened tonight or even what happened on that boat ride.” I look up and his face is solid, eyes serious.
“I won’t, Torres. I would never jeopardize your career like that.”
His shoulders visibly relax, as if he wholeheartedly believes I never will. “This isn’t just about my career, Lakes. It’s your future too. You have it hard enough at Bennett. I don’t want things getting harder for you because of something like this.”
“I’ll be fine.” I step sideways, glancing at the room door. To me it sounds like he’s trying to end this right now, but I don’t want it to end like this. I want so much more from him. Tonight didn’t even come close to enough. “Think the coast is clear?” I ask, steering the subject.
“Yeah. Should be.” He sighs. “Mills isn’t going to keep a club girl waiting. He’s already down on the third floor with her, I’m sure.”
I huff a laugh as he smiles and escorts me to the door. “Who knew Mills was such a smooth guy?”
“Oh, Mills is definitely one to look out for,” Torres laughs. “He’s got a new girl every month.”
I laugh.
Linger.
“Okay, well…goodnight, Torres.”
He winks at me. “Goodnight, Lakes.”
My hand is on the door handle, but I still linger.
Just one more kiss, one more touch. It’s all I want, but I know it’ll lead us back to the bed—back to what we’re trying so desperately hard to avoid right now. More is wrong. More will lead us down a black hole we will never be able to escape from.
I twist the handle and swing the door open, stepping right out. I leave the room and go to the elevator, press the down arrow and wait. Torres is watching me from his room door and there’s a look in his eyes—a sign of longing.
Just one more kiss.
One more touch.
He wants the same. I know it.
I tap my foot. Inhale. Exhale.
Fuck it.
I turn and jog his way again, lacing my arms around his neck and crashing into him. My lips press on his and he groans, catching me in his arms. I hear the elevator chime, signaling that it’s arrived, but I deepen the kiss because kissing Coach Torres truly shouldn’t feel this amazing.
When the kiss breaks, he reveals a lazy smile, clearly not expecting that, but obviously liking it.
I step away, fighting my own smile. “Goodnight, Torres. For real this time.” I walk backwards to get to the elevator.
“Night, Lakes. For real this time,” he murmurs back as I near the elevator. The doors have closed but I press the button and they shoot wide open again.
I walk into the car, and as the doors draw shut, I bite back a smile, but not even that can contain the excitement I’m feeling right now.
THIRTY-ONE
The rest of my winter break felt complete after the night with Torres in his hotel room. I wore unexplainable smiles around my house, which Mama constantly questioned me about.
“What are you smiling about, Amby?” she’d asked me while I was seated at the table, working on a puzzle.
“Nothing, Mama.” I’d forced the smile to disappear, but as soon as she walked away, I felt it steal my lips again.
Now, winter break is over, and I’m walking into my apartment on campus. I caught lunch with Mama and then she dropped me off with my things, but not without giving me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
As soon as I walk in, I spot Kendall standing in the kitchen wearing black Beats headphones. She has on a purple sweater and jeans, which I find interesting because she never wears jeans, along with tan Sperry’s.
I place my bag down on top of the things Mama and I carried in and then go to the kitchen, tapping her on the shoulder as she sings loudly.
She gasps and spins around, snatching the headphones off. “Shit, Amber! You scared me!” She immediately reels me in for a hug.