Bat Boy (Easton U Pirates 1)

“Thank you. I still can’t believe you came.” Did Kellan really not have any sort of inkling about me after that night in the hotel room and my awkward flirting-by-text? “It’s not like we hang out.”

“Sure we do,” I scoffed. Maybe he only ever saw me as some obnoxious shortstop on his dad’s team, who liked to bug him all the time. Jesus, when I laid it out that way, it sounded so juvenile. Was he only tolerating me? No, I needed to trust my instincts better. There was definitely some sort of vibe between us, always had been. “Several times a week, in fact.”

“When you steal my earbuds?” He smirked. “Or knock on my hotel-room door in the middle of the night?”

“Hey, you listen to decent music.” His cheeks grew rosier. “And our bathroom really was flooded.”

“Uh-huh.” Kellan rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. I’m trying to work through some stuff of my—” Right then Jasmine headed over to hand Kellan his drink, which was a purple-red color.

“Sorry,” she said in greeting, giving me a quick once-over. “I didn’t know what you normally drink or if you drink at all, and I didn’t want to assume.”

“No worries,” I said, but she didn’t hear me as she squealed and waved at someone across the way. A pretty girl with long red hair, who was motioning to her from the dance floor.

As she strode toward her friend, I couldn’t tell if I was holding Kellan back from joining them or not. “I don’t want to impose. You can totally—”

“You’re not.” He arched an eyebrow. “As long as you dance with us.”

My stomach felt a bit squeamish. I wanted to protest, but I also wanted to move my body and get this restless energy out.

“Does that mean your inquisition is over?”

“Maybe. You obviously have your own reasons for showing up,” he said, and I dipped my head, not quite ready to discuss any of those reasons. “And I’m here if you ever need to talk.”

“Appreciate that,” I said, feeling relief wash over me. But the nerves still remained. “What’s that you’re drinking?”

“Need some liquid courage?” He held out his glass. “Here.”

I tilted the drink, took an enthusiastic gulp, and practically gagged. “Ugh, too sweet and fruity.”

“Just like me!” he replied, and I laughed. Damn, he was fun to be around. “C’mon, let’s get you loosened up.”

He wore a devilish expression as he dragged me toward the dance floor.

12

Kellan

The pulsing beat filled my ears and resounded in my chest as we pushed through the throng and found a less crowded spot near the back wall. I was still grasping Donovan’s wrist, so we didn’t get separated, and his arm felt all trembly, like a taut rope. I still couldn’t believe he’d freaking shown up here. He’d intimated he was working some stuff out, and I didn’t want to assume, but it did have me wondering so many damned things. Especially about the night in the hotel room. Was it more than a cuddle, or did it come naturally and he’d concluded he was safe with me?

Pushing those thoughts aside, I figured the least I could do was help him let loose tonight and enjoy himself. So I lifted my arms and swayed my hips, and when his gaze roved over my body, it only emboldened me further. I turned to face the wall, reaching back for his hand to place on my hip. I heard his breath catch in my ear as he momentarily faltered, and I thought maybe I’d made a mistake, until his grip tightened. He didn’t have any trouble keeping up with my moves, so I had to wonder what he was like when he really got going.

I’d admit it felt good having the warmth of his body against mine whenever we were perfectly lined up, like it had been in the hotel, but when something hard bumped my hip, I was stunned. Donovan was turned on. I mean, don’t get me wrong, so was I, but maybe for him it was only because of the grinding? I was afraid to let my brain pretend otherwise.

“Not bad, Donovan,” I said over my shoulder to try to distract myself from my own thoughts.

I twisted in his arms, and we danced together through another song. It was surreal that this was happening at all, but also pretty darned cool. And as I watched him move, I couldn’t help thinking how sexy and gorgeous he looked with his bright smile and his damp bangs sticking against his forehead.

Thankfully, Jasmine joined us for a couple of songs before my thoughts ran away from me, and then we all took a break by heading to the bar for some drinks. Jasmine met up with the same friend, and the way they were flirting, I wondered if I’d be catching a ride home alone. Donovan was still looking a bit cagey, if more comfortable than when I first spotted him, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if he lost his nerve and hightailed it out of there.