Face Off (Seattle Serpents, #2)

by Teagan Hunter

“How’s my girl doing?” “I’m good.” He tucks his lips together, his already vivid gray gaze burning brighter. “I was talking about Daisy.”

My face burns hot. No, not just hot. It’s scorching. There’s no way I don’t look like a tomato right now. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why would I say that? Why would I even think he meant me? I mean, I didn’t really think that was what he meant. It was a reflex. That’s all. That. Is. All. “It was a reflex.” He laughs. “Right. Sure.” He winks at me, and I have the urge to hang up on him, but I don’t.

“And by hanging out you mean having phone sex with her? Ow! Stop throwing shit at me,” Hayes yells. “I get it—no phone sex. But why not tell Hutch?”

He winces. “So you heard all that?” I chuckle. “Yeah, I heard all that.” “And that…is the first draft of my upcoming play!” He forces out a laugh, scrubbing a hand through his hair nervously. “How’s it sound?” “Like two morons wrote it.” “Hey!” Hayes protests. Lawson throws the hotel phone at him. “Oh, real mature, Lawson. Injure me before the game tonight—great idea.”

“Your dad is strange, you know that?” She lets out a long, tired sigh, like she’s fully aware of this. “But he’s fun. He’s fun and I…”

I lift the clarinet. “Well, I’d better get going and get this to Jaden.” “Thank you again.” “Sure. That’s what neighbors are for, right?” “Right.” She eyes me skeptically as I back away. I’m to the elevator, already pressing the button when she calls my name. “Lucas?” “Hmm?” I ask, peeking over my shoulder as the car arrives. Her eyes are narrowed on me. “Don’t.” It’s one word, a warning. One I don’t plan on heeding. “Sorry, Paige, can’t hear you!” I step in, pressing the close door button repeatedly. “Elevator’s too noisy!” The doors shut, but not before I hear her yell, “Dammit, Lucas!” I laugh as I pull out my phone and call my financial advisor.

“I’ll go with you…on one condition.” I narrow my eyes skeptically but nod. “Okay…” “I’m bringing my cat.” I laugh. “Deal. You can bring your cat.” “Yes!” She fist-pumps the air. “But, Wednesday?” “Yes?” “Bring my jersey too.”

“That’s just sad.” “It is. Reminds me of what Dan Scott did to Nathan.” “Dan Scott? As in Dan Scott from One Tree Hill Dan Scott?” His cheeks pinken. “Uh, yeah. That one.” “You watch One Tree Hill

“A few times. It’s one of my mother’s favorite shows.” He glances over at me. “What?”

“I’ve never brought anyone else here,” he continues. “Just you and just her. I don’t share this place with people who don’t matter.”

“Uh, Rory…” “Yes?” “I meant my coat pocket.” “Oh!” I yank my hand out, my cheeks burning hot at this point, then reach into his leather jacket and pull out the keys. I smack at his chest. “You ass! Why didn’t you tell me that?” He shrugs with a grin. “I just figured you wanted to feel me up.” “I hate you,” I tell him, spinning around and unlocking the door. He laughs lowly at my back. “You wish you did, Rory. You wish you did.”

He shrugs. “It’s a gift.” “Hmm. Something like that.” I turn back to look out the window. “So, what are we going to do first? Skinny-dipping in the hot tub, right?” His jaw drops in his reflection and I laugh, turning around to pat his shoulder. “I’m kidding, Lawson. I’m not skinny-dipping with you. I brought a bathing suit.” I walk past him, grabbing my bag and heading for the stairs to find my bedroom.

“Oh, and, Lawson?” I call down where he’s standing frozen by the window. “Yeah?” “It’s a two-piece.”

“That smells heavenly,” she says, padding into the kitchen. “Anything I can help with?” “Maybe grab the plates?” I point to a cabinet. “I guess I should have asked how you like your steak. Any preference?” She scrunches up her nose. “I’m not really a steak person.” I pause. Fuck. I didn’t even think about that. She bursts out a laugh. “I’m kidding. I love steak. The bloodier the better, please.” Oh, thank fuck. “A woman after my own heart,” I tell her, dropping some extra butter on top of each slab of meat.

I lean down, my lips mere inches from hers. Her eyes flick to my mouth, then, slowly—so fucking slowly—she drags them back to my gray stare. “I said, is that a challenge?” I can see a myriad of answers spinning around in her head, can see her considering just what it is she wants to say. Then finally, she opens her mouth. “Yes.” “Oh, Rory. Wrong answer.” And I drop to my knees.

“No, Rory. I didn’t say your name because I knew you were watching.” She sucks in a breath. “I said your name because it was you I was thinking of long before you came out of your room.” I pinch the jersey between the fingers of my free hand. “Just like it was you I thought of the last time I stroked my cock, imagining you in nothing but this.”

“Tell me, Rory…are you naked under my jersey?” She smiles up at me coyly, lifting a shoulder. “I don’t know. You tell me.” “I think you are,” I say, gripping the material more firmly, tugging her closer.

“I think you like prancing around here with nothing but my name and number on your back,” I continue, dropping my lips against hers, nipping at them roughly before moving my assault to her jaw.

“Oh. Right.” He shuffles around. “Well, I, uh, I could use your help with Daisy.” My senses are on high alert, and I sit up straight. “What’s wrong? What happened?” “Oh, nothing. She just misses you.” “Lawson…” I groan, rubbing at my temples. “Don’t scare me like that. I thought something was wrong.” “It is. Her little heart is breaking because she hasn’t seen you in two days. She misses her mom.” I don’t even bother trying to correct him this time. It’s obviously a fruitless endeavor. “You’re so annoying.” “Yeah, I know, but you like that about me.”

“Are you really into her?” That’s her hang-up? I chuckle, loving a little too much how jealous she sounds right now. “Don’t worry, Wednesday, the only person I’m into is you.” “Really?” “Yes, really. Now, let’s try this again. Will I see you later?”

“Are you playing some weird sex game, Lawson?” “Noooo.” And really, I’m not. I just like teasing her. “Whatever. I gotta go. Bye.” She hangs up, and I laugh because it’s so her. I don’t know how I got into this with her, but all I know is I never want to look back. With Rory, all I want is forward, and quite possibly a future.

“Do you hate me?” he asks quietly, looking so sad I can’t help but laugh. “No, Lawson. I don’t hate you. I…don’t think I can hate you. Which is incredibly annoying, by the way.” He grins. “See? I knew you liked me all along.” “You wish,” I say, though I’m really starting to believe he may not be entirely off the mark.

“So let me do this. You’re always so busy taking care of everyone else. Let me take care of you.”

That’s when it hits me. “Oh, god. You were taking your pre-game nap, weren’t you?” He nods, lifting his hand to rub the back of his neck. “I was. We’re playing Minnesota tonight.” “Then why’d you answer? You should be sleeping.” “Because you called.” He says it so simply, so genuinely, and I fucking break.

I’m the first to break the silence. “Hey, Lawson?” “Yes, Rory?” he asks, rolling his head my way, the light from the television shining off his eyes. “I’m…I’m sorry I was a jerk earlier.” “It’s okay. I get it.” “But do you?” “Well, no.” He laughs lightly. “I don’t really get it, but I’ve watched my mom go through this enough to sort of understand.” “Ah. So that’s where you learned about the supplies.” “A little. Some of it was picking it up through the years. Just because I’m not a uterus-carrying member of society doesn’t mean I shouldn’t understand how it all works. Besides, I like taking care

of you. So when I saw you obviously weren’t feeling well, I wanted to do something to cheer you up, especially since I had to miss Valentine’s Day.” He grins down at me, and it’s almost bashful. “Did it work?”

“Lawson?” “Hmm?” he asks, slipping another piece of chocolate into his mouth but not looking over at me. “I did.”

“Hmm?” he says again, pulling his gaze from the happenings of Tree Hill long enough to capture my stare with his own. “You did what?” “Miss you.” I swallow densely. “I missed you.” A slow grin inches across his face, that same glow to his eyes as before reigniting. “I know you did, Wednesday,” he says. “I know you did.”

I laugh, walking away because nope not even Keller is going to ruin today for me. Today, Rory is coming to the game, and I’m so fucking excited for it. I’ve played in front of so many people—my mother, my father, my grandparents, and even Wayne Gretzky himself—but none of that compares to playing in front of Rory. Sure, I’ve done it before, but it was just that: before. Now, it means something entirely different. She’s going to be in those stands tonight, and she’s going to be there cheering me on.

We’ve had a few more nights together like the one last week when she was on her period. Nights where we just sit in her bed and watch TV. Nights where we don’t fuck at all. Nights where we act an awful lot like a real couple. As much as I love fucking Rory—and I really, really do—I think it’s those nights I like the most.

She’s here for me. Feeling my stare, she peeks over at me, giving me the softest of smiles before turning back to her sister like she didn’t just completely melt me where I stand. I’m doomed. So fucking doomed. Getting giddy over a smile… When did that happen? When did she burrow so deep inside of me? When did she become so fucking important? When did I… Oh shit. Realization smacks into me out of nowhere, and once the thought hits, I can’t make it go away. When did I fall in love with her?

I love her. Holy shit, do I love her.

But then again…who cares? If I don’t tell her, it’s going to eat me up inside. More than that, she’s going to believe I don’t care about what’s happening between us when the opposite couldn’t be truer. I love Aurora Sinclair, and dammit, I want her to know.

“You can’t say that for sure. You⁠—” “I love her, Hutch. I love her.” He stands before me, his mouth slightly ajar, his eyes shining with disbelief at what he’s hearing right now. Then, ever so slowly, he grins. “Oh, you are so out of the fucking club now.” I blow out a relieved breath, chuckling. “Only if you go first.”

I grin down at her. “You love me.” “Shut up,” she practically growls. “Nah. You loooooove me.” “I do not. I take it back.” She turns, trying to run away, but it’s pointless. I grab her arm, twisting her back to me. I grip her waist, holding her steady so she can’t run. Not this time.

“Right.” I squeeze her closer. “You saw a shooting star.” “I did…” “And your mouth moved. I saw it because I was watching you. You made a wish, didn’t you?” “Well, yeah.” She shrugs. “It’s kind of customary. See a star, make a wish.” “Right. So…” “What did I wish for?” I nod, and she gasps. “Lawson! You’re not supposed to ask people that. It goes against wish rules.” “I know, I know. And I didn’t then, but I am asking now…” Her face transforms into a smile, the kind that says, Do you really have to ask? “You, Lawson,” she finally says. “I wished for you. And truthfully, I’d do it all over again.” What I don’t tell her is, that night, I saw a shooting star too, and I wished for what’s right here in my arms—her.

“God, your resilience is so fucking hot.” He lets out a low growl that has me squeezing my thighs together. Sure, I might have woken up next to him this morning and had two incredible orgasms before coming into work, but it doesn’t stop me from wishing he were here right now so I could show him just what he does to me. “Have I told you that?” “Maybe, but feel free to go on.”

“Oh, I thought you’d never ask,” Lawson says before taking a deep breath like he’s about to spend the next two minutes straight talking without a break. Knowing him, he likely is. Casey points toward the front and mouths, Need you. “Well, for starters,” my boyfriend says, “the sounds you make when I have my tongue between your legs, pushing into your pu⁠—” “Actually, hold that thought.” I cut him off not because I don’t want to hear what he has to say—I really, really do—but because this conversation will require my full attention…and maybe some privacy. “Aw, come on. I was just getting to the good stuff.” I chuckle, mainly because there is no doubt in my mind that Lawson has his bottom lip stuck out right now, like he’s put out by me cutting this conversation short.

“Really?” I nod. “Forever.” Those damn blue-gray of his bore into me, looking for a sign of a lie, of me running, that I don’t mean it, but I do. I mean it more than I’ve ever meant anything before. When he sees that, he slants his mouth over mine, kissing me softly and tenderly like we have all the time in the world, and I guess we do. Because this? Lawson? It’s real, and I’m not running away from it. Not this time. Feelings are normal, and I have big ones for him. “Forever, Wednesday,” he whispers against my lips. Then he starts our kiss over again.