The Other Game (The Perfect Game 4)

We’re kissing. Holy shit!

Melissa’s mouth was hot and wet and sweet, and I couldn’t get enough. For a second, I wondered if I should walk us over to the couch or to her bedroom, but had no idea what to do, so I stayed put. As I stood in her entryway, holding her tightly by the ass, my hard-on stealing all of the blood from the rest of my body, I lost myself in that kiss, and hoped she was doing the same.

The damn buzzer from the oven sounded, pulling her attention—and mouth—away from me. She smirked as I set her back on her feet.

“I just wanted to do that,” she started to explain, and I hoped like hell she wouldn’t take it back. But then she said, “It doesn’t mean anything, though, so don’t read into it.”

I rolled my eyes. Being with this girl was like being in a car wreck. Whiplash was guaranteed.

I followed her into the kitchen and watched as she pulled the brownies from the oven and switched it off. When she’d set them aside to cool, I reached for her arm and pulled her body firmly against me.

“You don’t have to overthink everything all the time,” I said as I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m fine if you just want to kiss me. I don’t expect anything from you.”

Without giving her a chance to respond, I pressed my lips against hers, and she leaned into me, the curves of her body molding against mine. She let me continue to kiss her, but I didn’t push us any further, happy with what she chose to give me. And when I left her house that night, she kissed me good-bye, not the other way around.

I convinced myself that this was progress.

• • •

After my last final, I sent Melissa a text telling her to have a good winter break. She asked if I was still at school, and when I said yes, she told me to wait.

She walked up to me and gave me a hug. “I just wanted to say ’bye.” She smiled up at me and I actually considered kissing her in public, but figured she’d flip.

“Have a good break,” I said, hating that it would be over a month before I’d see her again.

“Do you have any plans?”

I nodded. “I’m going to go to Alabama with Jack to pack up his house.”

“When?”

“After Christmas.”

“Has she signed the damn papers yet?”

“No.”

She curled her lip up in a snarl. “I hate that girl so much.”

“Join the club.”

“Okay. Well.” She looked up at me with those big blue eyes and wrapped her arms around my neck. I pulled her close as she whispered. “I guess I’ll see you later.” Her lips met my cheek, and then she let go and disappeared into a group of passing students.

Christmas in Alabama

I tried to give Melissa space. Or maybe I simply wanted to give her a chance to miss me, so I let her take the lead when it came to our communications over the break. To my surprise, she either texted or called me every couple of days. I took it as progress.

“Who are you talking to?” Jack asked, punching me in the arm as he passed me on the couch.

“Melissa,” I told him with a smirk, then spoke into the phone. “Melis, hold on a sec.”

I covered my cell phone with my hand and lowered it toward my thigh so she couldn’t eavesdrop. “She wants to come with us.” When he looked at me like I was speaking French, I added, “To Alabama.”

“Why?” he asked, clearly confused.

“She said she’s bored at home without Cassie. And she wants to help. Personally, I think she just misses me.” I laughed as if I were joking, but the truth was I was hopeful.

He paused for only a second, and when the confusion left his face, he said, “She can come.”