Chapter Twenty-Four EVERLEIGH

Chapter Twenty-Four

EVERLEIGH

I eventually walk away from Gavin and Nico, my head spinning from Gavin’s offer to meet about giving yoga lessons to the team.

And then there’s the fact that when that much testosterone is aimed directly at me, I get a little flustered. It becomes difficult to think clearly. I’m having a difficult enough time already trying to keep my thoughts from straying to other .?.?. things.

Like Nico.

He looks extra appealing tonight wearing a pair of jeans and a Dolphins hoodie. That’s it. The outfit is truly nothing special, but the fact that it’s him wearing it?

Beyond gorgeous.

Meaning I have a problem.

That secret look we shared when Sienna was going on about being my assistant while staring at Gavin was unexpected. My stomach flipped the longer Nico stared into my eyes, and I finally had to look away first.

I told myself he didn’t matter, but I was lying. I still have a massive crush on Nico, made worse by our kissing session in the library. I think he’s still into me as well, which is just .?.?. mind blowing. Even if we were to act on our impulses, this would go absolutely nowhere.

That’s what I need to keep reminding myself.

I escaped to the backyard just to avoid a run-in with Portia, and I sort of forgot that she was even here when the guys started talking to me. But I spot her again now, smiling and flirting with, of all people, Frank, who seems totally into her. Is she the one he’s been preoccupied with lately? This week he’s left the house late at night twice but always returns before the sun rises.

Watching them standing by the sliding glass door and the way Portia keeps touching his chest while he watches her with giant moon eyes, I sense she is definitely the one he’s been sneaking out and seeing. Which makes me worry that .?.?.

She’s up to no good.

“What the hell is she doing here?”

I stiffen at the sound of Nico’s familiar voice coming from directly behind me. I can feel the warmth of his body seeping into mine, and for a minute there, it’s like I can’t move. I’m enjoying his warmth way too much.

“I forgot to warn you,” I admit, not looking at him.

He steps even closer, if that’s possible, his chest brushing my back, his mouth at my ear. “Forgot to warn me what? That she’s at the party?”

I nod, trembling at his closeness. At the sound of his deep chuckle, his warm breath touching my neck. “I saw her arrive earlier. That’s why I came outside.”

“I don’t blame you. I would’ve run from her too.” He pauses, and I wonder what he’s thinking. “Are you cold?”

He must see me—or feel me—shivering. “A little.”

It’s a lie. I’m warm from the alcohol and him. The only reason I’m trembling is from him standing so deliciously close to me.

“You should come stand by the fire.”

“I’ll be fine.” I offer him a weak smile.

“Want to wear my hoodie?” I turn at the same time he makes the offer, my mouth dropping open when he starts to take it off. He lifts the hem, taking his shirt with it, exposing the perfection that is his muscled abdomen, and I immediately bat at his hands, trying to stop him. My fingers accidentally brush his abs, and oh my God, they’re rock hard.

My face is on absolute fire.

“I don’t want to take it from you, but thank you. I’m fine,” I reassure him. He keeps his sweatshirt on, frowning at me. “Really.”

His gaze falls to my chest, blatantly checking me out, and I swear to God I can feel my nipples growing tighter. “You look pretty cold to me.”

“Stop,” I chastise, my voice soft. “I’m going inside.”

I’m about to turn on my heel and walk away from him, totally embarrassed by what he said, but he grabs my hand, preventing me from leaving. I angle my head in his direction to find a contrite expression on his handsome face.

“Sorry.” He swallows hard. “I just .?.?. it was obvious.”

My cheeks are still warm, and I’m sure I am red in the face. “It’s okay.”

“Come on.” He tugs me closer, letting go of my hand only to slide his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go inside.”

I briskly walk ahead of him, his arm falling away from me, but I don’t look back. I can feel him looming behind me, hear him greet people as we walk past them, and all I can do is smile because most of them are complete strangers to me.

What’s it like to have so many people know who you are? To adore you for what you do out on the field? He’s like a celebrity on this campus. What did Sienna call them?

The kings of the campus.

That’s the perfect description.

We’re approaching the back sliding door when I realize Frank and Portia are still standing there, and she’s so very obviously wrapped around him, her hands everywhere. I wish I could tell him that she’s just using him. But I can’t. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.

I try to think positive. Maybe she’s not using Frank at all. Maybe she actually likes him. He’s nice. He’s good looking. He’s a football player, which seems to be her type. And he’ll do anything for the woman he falls for .?.?.

“Oh, hey, Nico,” Portia says, her voice way too casual, her fingers curling around the waistband of Frank’s jeans. “Still with her, I see.”

The disdain dripping from her tone makes me tense up.

The way Nico oh-so-casually slings his arm around my shoulders yet again doesn’t help.

“What are you doing with Dollar?” he asks Portia, his voice edged with hostility.

“What does it look like?” She focuses all her attention on Frank, tipping her head back like she’s waiting for a kiss while Frank just appears confused.

The pout that forms on Portia’s face when Frank doesn’t do what she wants almost makes me laugh. But the heavy weight of Nico’s arm is a reminder that I need to act like I’m .?.?. what?

His girlfriend?

That thought almost has me laughing as well.

“Uh, Nico .?.?.?,” Frank starts, and I’m sure he’s remembering that his friend, teammate, and roommate used to be with Portia. “It’s not what you think.”

“It’s exactly what you think.” Portia steps in front of Frank and grabs his arms, wrapping them around her, settling her hands over his. “We’re together.”

“We are?” Portia jabs her elbow into Frank’s ribs, and he coughs. “I mean, we are.”

I can feel Nico tense beside me, and I wonder if that bothers him, or if he misses Portia.

I mean, look at her. She’s gorgeous. And she knows it. The helpless look on Frank’s face is downright comical. I’m sure he’s stunned that this beautiful woman wants to be with him when the poor guy is always chasing some girl.

“It’s cool, Dollar. You can have her.” His arm tightens around my shoulder, and Frank notices, his gaze zeroing in on Nico’s fingers skimming my upper arm.

Uh-oh.

“What, so you two are together?” Frank sounds incredulous.

“Frank, it’s not—” I start, but Nico cuts me off.

“We’re giving it a shot. Seeing where this might take us. Right, Ever?” He gives me a little shake, gazing down at me, and I glance up at him, noticing the faint pleading in his eyes.

Go along with this. Please.

“R-right. That’s wh-what we’re d-doing.” I’m stuttering like an idiot, and the last thing I want is to see Frank’s reaction.

I’m sure he’s hurt. Angry. He has every right to feel that way too.

Portia laughs. “Sounds like the two of you are sooooo confident about your relationship. Good luck with that.”

The last sentence is directed at me, and I’m suddenly fuming.

“We’re very confident,” I tell her, my voice firm, my gaze still on Nico, who’s now glaring at Portia. “It just happened so quickly and .?.?. unexpectedly.”

“Right.” Nico glances down at me again, and I rise on tiptoe, resting my hand on the solid wall that is his chest right before I do something I’ve imagined doing countless times since the bathroom incident.

I press my lips to his.

A surprised huff of breath escapes him the moment our mouths connect, and I remain there, trying to kiss his immobile lips.

But it lasts only for a second. Next thing I know, his hand is cupping the back of my head, and he’s returning the kiss. Over and over, his lips eventually parting mine.

His tongue slipping inside for a quick, teasing lick.

I end the kiss the moment our tongues touch, taking a stumbling step backward, but he doesn’t let me go. He’s got me firmly pinned in place against him, and all I can do is stare up at his gorgeous face. Note the concern I see in his gaze, the faint confusion. His brows are drawn together, and the jovial smile that’s always on his face is gone.

I swallow hard.

So does he.

“Seriously, Nico?” Portia screeches, pushing Frank’s arms away from her as she stomps toward us. “You’re such an asshole!”

Feels like the entire backyard goes quiet at her screaming, and it startles both of us into action. Somehow my hand ends up in his yet again, and he’s dragging me into the house, Portia hot on our heels.

“You’re such a fucking piece of shit, Nico! Leaving me like you did, and for what? This girl? She doesn’t even look good in that stupid gold dress!” Portia is shouting at us as she follows us through the house, causing a scene, but Nico doesn’t say a word.

Neither do I. I just let him lead me toward the short hallway, a gasp escaping me when he yanks me into his bedroom and slams the door in front of Portia, cutting her off from entering the room with us.

He turns the lock just as she starts pounding on the door, making it rattle. “Let me in, you chickenshit! We need to talk!”

“Go away, Portia,” he calls to her. “There’s nothing left for us to discuss. We ended it months ago.”

“I wasn’t ready! You never gave me a chance! You don’t give anyone a chance.” More pounding on the door until I hear Cooper’s steady, deep voice sounding from the other side.

“Hey, Portia. Calm the fuck down, or I’m going to have to kick you out.”

“Just try it, asshole! I have every right to be here.”

“Jesus.” Nico glances over at me, shaking his head. “She’s unhinged.”

“She’s really mad,” I agree, though it feels more like an understatement, describing her that way.

Nico is tapping away at his phone, and I wonder who he’s texting.

“Come on, babe. Let’s go get you something to drink.” Now I hear Frank talking to her, trying to calm her down, and all I can think is This poor dude.

“Do not call me babe!” she shrieks in response, followed by more banging on the door.

Nico shakes his head. “He doesn’t know what he’s getting into.”

Most likely she’s going to trick him into thinking that she cares and hurt him in the end. But if I were to warn him about Portia? He wouldn’t listen. He’s probably mad at me and Nico, thinking we started some sort of secret relationship right under his nose, which wasn’t what happened.

How can I tell him that? And what am I going to do right now, stuck in Nico’s bedroom while his ex is trying to bang down the door?

Talk about ruining my Saturday night.