Chapter Thirty-Six NICO

Chapter Thirty-Six

NICO

After having dinner with my mom at a small Mexican restaurant that’s not overrun with Santa Mira students, Ever and I head to the house while Mom drives back home. I let both women fuss over me during dinner, reveling in their attention and not protesting. I stressed them the hell out when I got injured, and while I didn’t do it on purpose, I do feel responsible for almost giving them heart attacks.

Mom is used to it. I’ve broken bones, torn muscles, and wrecked my body in a variety of ways over the years playing football. But as she so kindly reminded us near the end of dinner, this was the first time I’ve ever blacked out on the field.

Not gonna lie. That shit was scary. I don’t remember much beyond getting tackled. I don’t even recall hitting the ground. It’s wild how our mind protects us from trauma.

It’s only when we’re at the house, locked away in my bedroom, that Ever lets her emotions flow freely—by way of tears.

“You scared me so bad,” she admits while I’ve got her pressed against the door, holding her close to me. “You weren’t moving, Nico, and it was just—terrible.”

“I’m okay,” I whisper, brushing the tears away from her cheeks, smiling at her. Needing her to be strong. “I’m fine.”

“You have a slight concussion.” She tilts her chin up, determination filling her features. “That’s dangerous.”

“I’m here at home. Resting. Just like the doctors told me I should do.” Though I’d rather do something else tonight.

Namely Ever.

We’ve been playing this nope, can’t have actual intercourse yet act long enough. Frankly, I’m dying to fuck her, slight concussion be damned.

I know how to take it easy. I won’t overexert myself.

“You actually wanted to go to Charley’s,” she chastises me. I tried to convince her we should stop by after we left the restaurant and my mom, but she wouldn’t hear of it.

That’s okay because now I’m locked away in my bedroom with her. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

“Well, we should get you into bed.” She gives me a gentle shove, and I back away from her, letting her make her escape. She heads for my bed, tugging down the covers and patting the mattress. “Come on.”

“What am I, three?” I make my way toward her, hurriedly kicking off my shoes before I start shedding my clothes.

She glances over at me, doing a double take when she sees what I’m wearing, which is practically nothing. “What are you doing?”

“Getting dressed for bed.” I’m grinning, nearly toppling over as I try to take off my jeans. They’re gone seconds later, and I rise to my full height, clad in only a pair of red boxer briefs.

Her gaze zeros in on the front of my boxers before guiltily jerking back up to my face. “You’re practically naked.”

“This is how I normally sleep.”

“We’ve been falling asleep in your bed for the last few weeks. Together. And you’re never this—” She waves a hand at me. “Naked.”

“Because falling asleep with you in sweats and a T-shirt isn’t how I normally go to bed.” I wave a hand at myself. “This is.”

Everleigh remains rooted in place, eerily quiet.

“You should give it a try,” I encourage softly.

Her brows shoot up. “Are you trying to get me into your bed?”

I decide to be honest. “Yes.” I grin.

She rolls her eyes, toeing off her shoes. And to my eternal gratefulness, she slowly undresses, until she’s standing by the side of my bed in just my jersey and panties, white socks still on her feet. “How’s this?”

“Better,” I answer. “The jersey is a nice touch, especially without pants.”

“You have a big ego.”

“Among other big things.” I grin.

She laughs.

“Hey, at least we’re getting closer,” I say once my laughter dies.

“Closer to what?”

“Getting you naked.” I go to my side of the bed and climb under the covers. “Come on. Join me.”

She rests her hands on her hips, slightly irritated. “We can’t mess around tonight, Nico. You have a concussion.”

“Slight concussion,” I correct. “And you know what’s the best cure for a concussion?”

She’s frowning. “I don’t think there’s any type of cure for one.”

Well, she’s right, but I’m not going to tell her that. “If you get a concussion, you have to stay awake for hours.”

“Really?” Her skeptical expression and tone have me thinking she’s onto me.

I nod. I remember that’s what they used to tell us when I was younger, but the medical team didn’t mention anything like that earlier when they checked me out. I’m just trying to convince her that what we’re about to do—what I plan on doing to her, with her—has got medical clearance. “Definitely.”

“Uh-huh. Shouldn’t we stay up by watching something on Netflix or whatever?” She slowly joins me, sliding her body beneath the covers before tugging them up to her chin.

“Netflix and chill?”

“No chill.”

“You’re no fun.” I’m pouting, and I never pout. I always get what I want.

This woman? She makes me work for it. And I can’t lie .?.?.

I love a challenge.

“Don’t look at me like that.” She laughs when I stick my lower lip out farther. “Is that what you did to your mom when you were little?”

The last person I want to talk about in this moment is my mother. “Quit playing hard to get.”

Before she can say anything, I’ve got my hands on her tiny waist and I’m pulling her close to me, curling one leg around both of hers so she’s trapped. I start tickling her sides, and she won’t stop giggling, smacking at my chest at one point and begging me to stop.

She won’t be begging me to stop soon enough, so I give her what she wants, but I don’t let go of her.

It’s like I can’t.

Ever snuggles up close, her cheek pressed against my chest, right where my heart beats. I reach my hand up and thread my fingers in her hair, combing it out slowly. She likes it when I do that, scooting closer to me until her body is halfway on top of mine.

“You scared me out on the field,” she admits, so soft I almost don’t hear her.

“Yeah, you said that earlier. And I’m sorry.” I kiss her forehead, breathe deep her sweet scent. “I didn’t mean to.”

“I know. I’m not looking for an apology. I just—I want to tell you how I felt, after seeing you unconscious on the field.”

I go quiet, still stroking her hair. Waiting for her response.

“It shook me, in the worst possible way. At first the tackle seemed completely normal. I’ve watched a few games and seen you get hit numerous times.”

“It comes with the game,” I tell her, and she nods, her cheek sliding across my chest.

“But seeing you like that, surrounded by your coaches when you weren’t moving—I was terrified. It made me realize how devastated I would be if I lost you.” She hesitates, her fingers skimming across my stomach, and my dick twitches to life. “I know we’ve moved really fast, but .?.?. I care about you, Nico.”

My heart swells to twice its normal size at her confession. “I care about you too.”

“And I don’t want to lose you.” She lifts her head, her imploring gaze meeting mine. “I probably shouldn’t say this because I don’t want to freak you out, but .?.?.”

Her voice drifts, and she presses her lips together, looking scared shitless.

“Say it,” I urge, touching her face. Drifting my fingers across her cheek. “Unless you need me to say it first.”

Her lips part, but still no words come from her. She knows me so well already, but I think I still surprised her.

“I’ll say it first, then.” I cup her face with my hands, smoothing my thumbs across her cheeks, catching those last few tears. “I’m in love with you, Everleigh.”

More tears well in her blue eyes, and she closes them for a moment, shaking her head once. “You beat me to it.”

“I’m just trying to help you out.” I lean in and kiss her soft lips, lingering there. Breathing her in. “I love you.”

“I’m in love with you too.” Her words come out in a raw whisper that touches my fucking soul. Corny but true. “It’s way too soon, right?”

“No. Not at all. My mom always told me, when you know, you know.” I kiss her again, because how can I resist her after this major confession between us? “And I know about you, Ever. I love you.”

“I love you, Nico. So much.” She kisses me this time, and I touch my tongue to hers, retreating when she responds. “Everyone is going to think we’re crazy.”

“I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks about us,” I say truthfully, my voice fierce. “What we have together—it’s special.”

She rolls her eyes, laughing when I flash her a stern look. “Special?”

“Very special,” I emphasize, because damn it, I need her to see just how much she means to me. “I’ve never said those words to a woman before besides my mother and my older sister. Oh, and my grandma.”

Ever blinks repeatedly, like she’s trying to comprehend what I just said. “Really?”

I nod, letting go of her face and bracing my hands on either side of her head. “You’ve come to be my everything. Ever.” I grin, wondering if she gets tired of the play on words.

I can’t help myself. She really is my everything.

“You’re all I think about,” I tell her when she still hasn’t responded. “I can’t wait to see you when we’re apart. And I never want moments like this to end. When I’m with you in my bed, even when you drive me out of my mind with lust.”

She frowns. “I drive you out of your mind?”

Leaning in, I kiss her. It’s a long, tongue-filled kiss, and when I finally end it, she’s gasping for air. “I’m tired of being a gentleman and taking it slow. I need to be real with you—I’m dying to fuck you.”

“But your concussion—”

“Nope.” I shake my head, cutting her off. “I’m fine. Really. Just—I want to show you how much I love you, Ever. I’m all pent up and full of fucking emotion, and I’m worried I might explode if I can’t get inside you right now.”

Her smile is slow. Confident. I think she’s realizing the power she has over me and is loving it. “Okay.”

Relief flooding me, I kiss her again, trying to communicate with my lips and tongue how much she means to me.

How much I love her.

How I’m never, ever going to let her go.