Chapter Twenty-Three NICO

Chapter Twenty-Three

NICO

The party is off to a great start. There are so many people filling our house and backyard, the majority of them I don’t even know. Coop is acting as bartender at the moment, and Dollar is manning the keg with a couple of other teammates outside.

Me? I’m wandering around both the house and the backyard like the consummate host that I am. Smiling and greeting everyone. Offering them a drink. Directing the scantily clad and cold-looking women over to the firepit so they can warm themselves up.

Doing my best to avoid my roommate every time I spot her, which is far too often for my taste.

Speaking of taste, she appears pretty fuckin’ tasty in that gold dress she’s wearing. It’s tight and clings to her curves, showing them off to perfection. There’s this constant smile curling her lips that makes her positively radiant, and I can see it in the way the other guys are watching her, interest glowing in their eyes. They notice her.

And I hate it.

Fuck, I can’t even look at her. I’m not supposed to think about her like that since we kissed in the library and she ran away from me. Hell, by kissing her I already broke our promise after we shook on it, so I guess that’s on me. But I wasn’t the only one participating in that kiss.

She was into it too. She was into me. Until the crotchety old librarian had to walk in and bust up our little secret party of two.

Deep down, I know I can’t hook up with her or fuck her or whatever the hell I was thinking. Talk about a colossal mistake.

But I can’t stop watching her. The way that dress looks on her.

All I can think about is taking it off. Her sprawled across my bed, me lying between her legs. Slowly lifting it, exposing her bit by bit. Kissing and licking every inch of her skin on display .?.?.

My thoughts are fueled by the alcohol I’m consuming—and I’m drinking a lot. Which is something I don’t normally do during football season. None of us guys on the team really do.

But this is the one weekend when we don’t have to worry about hangovers for at least a couple of days. Our coaches will slap us into shape come Monday, but tonight?

I’m drinking until I’m fucked up, and I’m going to have a good time doing it.

Our teammate Jonesie eventually enters the backyard through the side gate, bringing with him at least six beautiful women, all of them with friendly smiles on their faces and looking hot.

“Told you I’d bring some ladies,” he greets me, making me laugh.

I point them in the direction of the keg, where they all go eagerly, and the last woman who walks by me trails her fingers along my stomach as she passes. A tempting smile curves her red lips, and I send her a look, one that says I’m definitely interested, because fuck it.

I am.

Anything to help me get the pretty brunette in the gold dress off my mind for at least the night.

“You’re such a dog.”

I turn to see Gavin standing there with a Solo cup in his hand and a big ol’ grin on his face. All I can do is shrug at him in return.

“I can’t help it if the ladies love me.”

“So modest.” He takes a drink, scanning the backyard for a moment. “I’m over this.”

“Over what?”

“Partying. Drunk people puking in the yard. Kegs. A girl giving a guy a blow job in the bathroom. All of that is going to happen tonight. It might even be happening right now at this very moment, and I’m tired of it. Aren’t you?”

I study him, surprised by his outburst. At the weariness in his tone. He definitely sounds over it, and I’m surprised. “I had no idea you felt that way.”

“I’ve been feeling it for a while. Don’t you think you’re just too old for this scene?”

“I’m twenty-two,” I remind him. “Same age as you.”

And no, I’m not over it. Or tired of it. This is college, and it’s our last year. We’re supposed to party and get shit faced and have fun. Real life is waiting for us on the other side, and I plan on living it up as much as I can before I have to face reality.

“I’m tired, man. Sometimes I feel older than twenty-two. Like I’ve already been through it.” He shakes his head, and I go to him, gripping him by the shoulders.

“The best is yet to come,” I remind him, giving him a shake. “Don’t give up on us now.”

“Trust me, I’m not giving up on us. Don’t worry about that. I’m just—tired of the party scene. Meaningless conversations. Meaningless hookups. I want something real.” He steps away from me, and my hands drop from his shoulders. “You really feel okay with how this season is going?”

“Hell yeah,” I say without hesitation.

“I’m freaking out,” Gav admits. “Feels like everything is riding on us winning. If we lose one game, it’ll make the rest of the season that much harder. We lose two? We’re completely fucked.”

I say nothing because he’s right. Everything is riding on us winning, and losing even one freaking game puts so much at risk. But I don’t have the kind of pressure that Gav deals with as the quarterback. What he deals with is on a whole other level.

“We’re not going to lose,” I tell him, confidence bleeding into my every word. I believe that with all I’ve got.

“Easy for you to say,” he grunts.

“It is. Look.” I rest my hands on my hips, contemplating him. “I believe in you. I believe in all of us. We’re doing everything we can to make this season—our last season—epic. But some of it is out of our hands. We just have to try our best and work with what we’ve got. Not get too caught up in our heads over it.”

He studies me for a while, his expression serious. “When did you become so fucking logical?”

“Not sure.” I shrug. “The words just came to me.”

Gav laughs. “It was perfect—you don’t know how badly I needed to hear that.”

“Good.” I smile a little. “So did I.”

He peers at me, like he can see right through me. “You doing okay, though? Really?”

I remain quiet again, unsure if I should be completely honest. He’s dealing with his own problems, and he doesn’t need to worry about mine.

“Come on. Tell me the truth.”

I blow out a harsh breath and shake my head, both hating and liking that he’s got me figured out.

“I’ve been a little—fucked in the head lately. It’s not affecting my game play or anything,” I admit, my voice low. I quickly add, “That’s why I have zero problems with this party tonight. I need the distraction.” I don’t want him freaking out that I’ll turn into shit on the field.

“From?” He lifts his brows.

“Everything.”

He remains silent, waiting me out.

“Fine. From her.”

“Which her?” Gavin draws his brows together.

Is he acting like this on purpose? I thought it was obvious to everyone that I have a thing for Everleigh.

That she most likely has a thing for me too.

“Her.” I wave a hand toward the vicinity where I know for a fact Everleigh is standing. Laughing. Hanging on Sienna and having the time of her life, that skirt riding up higher and higher on her thighs. If I stick around long enough, I might see her panties. Or better yet, maybe she’s not wearing any at all. “The girl in the gold dress.”

He angles his head to the right, looking for Everleigh. “Oh, right. You mean your roommate.”

I nod, and Gavin—one of my very best friends, a person I confide all my secrets to—starts laughing his ass off. He doesn’t stop, either, when he sees me starting to fume.

Such a dick.

“You are so fucked,” he says between bouts of laughter, practically clutching himself while I stand there glaring at him. “Seriously. You’re a mess.”

“Thanks.” I throw my hands up in the air, letting my frustration rip. “What am I supposed to do? Fuck her like I want to?”

She already basically turned me down. Twice.

“Not that she’s interested,” I tack on before Gavin can say anything. “She already told me she wants to be friends only. But ignoring her isn’t helping me much.”

“Wait, she said to your face she isn’t interested in you?”

“Yeah,” I rasp, feeling like an idiot.

“Ballsy,” he murmurs.

“We had a talk a few days ago.” I scrub the back of my neck, gripping it for a second before I let go. I decide not to mention the kiss in the library. “We decided we’d be better off as just friends.”

“When did this happen? I’ve been hanging out at your house all week and never noticed this little interaction.”

“We’re not about to chat about shit like that in front of you assholes,” I mutter.

“I can’t believe it. She rejected you. You. That’s gotta sting.” Gav is grinning. “She’s cute.”

“Tell me all about it.”

“I like the dress.” He pauses. “It’s short.”

I hear the amusement in his voice, and even though I know he’s only giving me shit, I’m tempted to threaten him just to get him to shut up.

“It’s too short,” I grumble, which has him laughing all over again. “Seriously, bro?”

“You got a crush, Valente? Is that your problem?” Now he’s actually clutching his sides, having a grand ol’ time at my expense. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You’re being an asshole,” I mutter.

“Please. You’ve been an asshole for the last three years. A cold, callous asshole when it comes to women especially. It’s nice to see someone get under your skin.”

“You enjoy watching me suffer?”

“Absolutely. I never thought I’d see the day.” He finally gets himself under control, wearing a straight face when he asks, “What’s so different about this one? Is it the yoga? How she cooks dinner for you guys? What a deal that is. I meant what I said when I called her wifey material.”

“That pissed me off,” I admit.

He’s grinning again. “I remember. It’s why I brought it up.”

I’m glaring. “Now you’re just trying to piss me off.”

“A little bit.” He pauses. “What is it about her that you’re attracted to?”

“I don’t even know.” That’s a lie. I like everything about her, but it’s hard to come up with a list for Gavin. “Maybe it’s because I’m not supposed to have her?”

“Forbidden fruit.” Gav nods like he understands.

“Right. Sure. She’s sweet. She tolerates my ass. She’s nice to Dollar.”

“No one is nice to Dollar,” Gav says.

It’s true. He’s such an easy mark. Always gets worked up when someone gives him grief, which everyone does.

“Exactly. She’s running yoga classes in our backyard.” I make a face. “All these jackasses from the team stretching and shit. Doing the lone-dog-tree position or whatever you call it. Unbelievable.”

“I’ve been enjoying the classes,” Gavin says, his expression thoughtful. “They really help with stress. Like, they clear my mind.”

I hate to admit that I didn’t mind the classes either. But is it only because I like to watch Ever the entire time in her cute workout outfits?

Probably.

“Is that why you’re coming over all the time?” I ask him.

“Nah. I need the distraction. If I sit around at home too much, I start thinking about everything and freak myself out. Playing video games with you guys is a lot more relaxing. Oh, that and Everleigh’s nightly dinners. It feels like she’s taking care of us, you know?”

“You don’t even live here,” I remind him.

“Yet I’m reaping some of the benefits. Look, when it’s just us, we’re lazy. We DoorDash everything or we’re eating pizza all the time. The house is a mess. It starts to smell. We drink too much beer or we play too many video games. But with Everleigh around, I feel like I need to be on my best behavior. I don’t want to be a slob around her. Girls don’t like that shit.”

“You think she makes us better people?” I never thought of it like that before.

“Definitely,” he says with a nod. “Even you.”

“Ha, thanks.” I give him a shove, and he pretends to topple over a little bit. “Maybe it’s working on you too.”

“I’d like to think it is.” He smiles.

We both turn to see Cooper approaching, his sister and—oh shit—Everleigh accompanying him.

“Gavin.” Sienna walks right up to him and wraps him up in a hug. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Figured you were avoiding me.” He returns the hug, his arms springing away from her in seconds. Jesus. Talk about someone who needs to admit to himself that he might have some minor feelings for someone else. “Looking good, Sienna.”

“Why thank you.” Her cheeks are bright pink, and maybe it’s the alcohol, but I’m guessing it’s the compliment coming from the guy she’s had a thing for since her freshman year. “You’re looking good yourself.”

Gavin is wearing a black crewneck sweatshirt and jeans. Nothing special. But I’m guessing it works for Sienna.

“What are you ladies up to, hanging out with Coop?” Gav asks.

“We dragged him away from his bartending duties,” Everleigh says. “And got someone else to take over.”

“Who?” I ask Everleigh.

She barely looks in my direction. It’s like she can’t. “I don’t know his name.”

“It was Jonesie,” Coop says. “He wanted to do it. Supposedly he has skills.”

“He made me a special concoction, and it’s delicious.” Sienna lifts her cup in a cheers gesture before she takes a drink.

Everleigh giggles, sipping from her own cup, and I stare at her like some sort of perv, unable to speak. I can feel Sienna watching me, her lips curving into an amused smile, and when I finally chance a look her way, her smug expression has my smile fading.

Caught. Yet again. I need to stop making an ass of myself.

“I was talking to our coaches about your yoga class,” Gavin says to Everleigh, his voice casual.

Her eyes go wide. “Why would you do that?”

“I was telling them how much it helps all of us and that you’re a certified yoga instructor and all that. And then I suggested you should come to our practices sometime and lead everyone through a quick session. Like a warm-up before we go out on the field,” Gavin explains.

“Oh, I don’t know . . .”

“They said they were interested. And they’d even pay you,” Gav tacks on.

Everleigh’s eyes light up with interest. She’s always looking for a way to make money. “Really? They’d pay me?”

“They said they might if it seems to work out for us. You want to come in Monday before practice starts and talk to the coaching staff? They’d love to hear what you have to say.”

“I definitely would.” She nods eagerly.

“How exciting! If you need an assistant, I’m your girl.” Sienna glances over at Gavin, her gaze full of longing. “I’d love to help you.”

Everleigh and I share a look, something passing between us. Like we both know who Sienna is stuck on and that particular person is still somehow clueless about it.

Freaking Gavin. Sometimes he’s a dumbass when it comes to women.

Just like I am.

“I don’t know if they’ll let me have an assistant, but I’ll definitely keep your offer under consideration,” Everleigh says, nibbling on her lower lip. “I could only come to practice Monday and Wednesday. I have school on Tuesday and Thursday, and I end up working most Friday afternoons.”

“I don’t think that’s a problem.” Gavin’s gaze locks with mine. “What do you think, Nico?”

“Me?” I shrug. “Not a bad idea.”

“You’ll all need yoga mats,” Everleigh suggests, her brows drawing together. “Maybe I should write up some sort of proposal for your coaches on what I could provide.”

“That would be a great idea.” Gavin grins at both women, and they get a little too bright eyed at the sight of it. He may not know much about love or relationships, but he’s pretty good at putting on the charm.

Me, though?

I’m better.