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“Not a fan of hockey? I think you’re at the wrong table then.” Adam stands and puts a protective arm around my shoulders. “She’s not a fan of any men at the moment.”
maybe we’re more like overgrown toddlers than functioning men.
“What the hell? What happened to no chicks?” I ask. “She’s my sister, not the same thing.” “Depends. Is she hot?” Mav asks, totally serious, which makes the vein in Adam’s head protrude. Yes, yes she is.
he’s only looking out for me or whatever. Having an older, overbearing brother is a real pain sometimes.
“Is there some sort of big brother gene that makes you all giant overprotective assholes?” “I’m serious. She just got out of a relationship and she doesn’t need another guy screwing her over.”
“I will keep an eye out, but I’m not going to lord over her like some sort of protector. Normal, friendly, keep an eye out, not whatever you’ve got going on there.”
“When you’re as hot as Ginny, I’ll start being your beer bitch, too.”
“You two have fun. Don’t tell her any lies about us, Dakota.” “Lies would be less incriminating.”
“Would you tell her that she needs to tell this guy so he can break up with his girlfriend to date her?” He chuckles and Reagan’s eyes go wide. “Oh my god, Ginny. Adam, you absolutely do not need to—” “She’s right.” He nods and smiles at my new friend. “Guy must be crazy.”
Sweet, innocent Ginny’s not looking for a casual hookup. I could have guessed that. It shouldn’t make me happy because it also means I won’t be hooking up with her, but for some reason, I’m glad that no one else will be either.
“We’ve got people watching which we’re perfectly positioned for now, we could play one of the many party games—flip cup, beer pong—all the usuals, there’s volleyball, I’m still offering up making out in case you want to rethink that one, or we can go to the pool and I’ll swat the swarms of boys away so you can swim without being harassed.”
“Got a crush on Ginny?” Dakota asks with a tease to her voice. “It’s not like that.” “What is it like?” she presses as we walk toward the house. “She’s cool.” “Cool? So you don’t want to sleep with her?” Of-fucking-course I want to sleep with her. She’s beautiful and fun and if I had standards… she’d exceed them. “She’s Scott’s sister.” She nods in understanding. “He would kill you. Better get your shit on lock then. It’s written all over your handsome face.”
“How did you get so drunk?” Dakota asks. I can tell it’s definitely her this time, the little snort laugh she does gives her away. “I’m not drunk. Just tipsy and tired.” “Now I see the family resemblance. You’re as stubborn as your brother. Last time Adam got drunk, he swore he was fine until he fell down the stairs on the way to the bar.”
His request to look out for her wasn’t even a factor in it or really any of the times I’ve hung out with her. I like her. I like being with her. She makes me be in the moment more deeply. I’m not looking for hookups or to get drunk, I want to sit beside her, pull her hair, and tease her. Basically, I’m five again.
I don’t want to share one second of my time with Ginny. Not with anyone.
“It’s too bad. I liked Heath. Now I’m going to have to avoid him until I can look at him without wanting to disappear into the ground.” “Are you a drama major like this one?” Dakota asks and points her bagel toward Reagan. “No, why?” She smiles and I toss a crumpled napkin at her. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” His words are like a bucket of cold water dumped over my lady parts. “Why not?” “Because maybe you were right. You’re off men, I’m not capable of being more than your friend without ruining everything else, your brother is my teammate, pick a reason I guess.” “Those gummy bears are making you do crazy things too.”
“Hmm?” “Eyes are up here,” I say with a wink. She rolls her brown eyes, but then they land back on my bare upper body. “You’re seriously cut. Maybe I should give up ice cream.” “Don’t you dare. You’re perfect.”
You’re a flirty drunk.” “I’m an honest drunk. Too honest. Don’t ask me anything embarrassing.”
“Heard you asked Scott for permission to ask out Ginny?” I go for a teasing tone, but don’t quite hit the mark. Liam nods. “She seems like a cool chick. You two are friends, right? Any advice?” Back the fuck off. Find someone else. Anyone else.
“Go. I’m fine. I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll still be hard then — don’t worry. Seems to be a constant thing around you.”
“Cuddle orgasms. I don’t think that’s a thing.” “There’s nothing cuddly about you. Even your cuddles feel like foreplay.” “Oh, it’s foreplay. It’s all foreplay.” “I need like two minutes for my soul to float back inside of me and then it’s your turn.” “Your soul floated away? Damn, girl, can I get that in a Yelp review?” “Five orgasmic stars,”
Heath doesn’t share food. I totally said that in my Joey from Friends voice. He had the right idea.
“We should celebrate.” Adam claps me on the shoulder. “What do you feel like doing?” Your sister.
“You can show her a good time back at the apartment. Naked.” Maverick stands and everyone else follows his lead. “It isn’t about sex,” he says and looks at me dreamily. My stomach does a thousand backflips.
cargo area of my SUV. “How do you of all people know about this place?” “Me of all people?” She grins. “I said what I said.” Chuckling, I admit, “Actually, from your brother.” Her nose wrinkles up. “My brother? Ewww. He brings dates up here, doesn’t he?”
“The way you talk about Adam reminds me a lot of Nathan. Always looking out for me even when I didn’t want him to.” “Maybe we’re just good at giving them reasons to worry about us.” “That’s probably accurate.”
I love my brother and I understand why he wants to protect me, but I don’t need it in this scenario, and I’m not willing to gamble that he’ll be cool with it. Heath and I are having fun. A lot of it. And yes, maybe my feelings have gone beyond that, but I refuse to get swept up in analyzing it.
But when we finally get to her, it isn’t him she throws her arms around. It’s me.
My throat is tight, and my chest cracks open, letting her slip inside. I feel her fear with the force of a Mack truck slamming into me and then dragging me a mile down the road. I can’t find the oxygen to speak, so I wrap my arms around her and pull her head under my chin.
Maybe I should have told you. Not because I think I need your permission, but out of respect. I’m sorry for that, but I’m not sorry for digging your sister.
“Come up to my room.” I start to stand, but he doesn’t budge. “I don’t think I should.” “Because of Adam? He’s had more girls in his room than Sephora on sale day.” “I don’t know what that means, but I’m guessing it’s a lot.” “Yes.”
Sure, he had his own reasoning for how things ended, but let’s be real, he did it in a super shitty way. I can see that so much clearer now.
faking shock then wrapping my arms around his sweaty neck. He grins and I kiss him in front of everyone. I definitely got the better QB and I’m not shy about letting the other team know it.
guy? I don’t miss the way he tries to flirt with her or the little inside jokes he tosses out. I want to throw the football in a perfect spiral directly into his face… or maybe his balls. I remind myself that Ginny referred to sex with this guy as blah. My jealousy? Petty as hell.
My girl has a competitive streak I find as amusing as I do sexy. Her
I hated not being here for you tonight.”
“I realize it probably doesn’t help, but you don’t need to feel embarrassed in front of me. Not for any of it.”
I know I’m your favorite person, but eventually your stomach would have convinced you to leave me.”
“I love you, Heath.” He flinches. “I’m sorry if that’s too much for you to deal with, but I do, and I don’t want to just forget it.”
“What’s up with you? You’ve been quiet all morning.” “I’m fine.” “Girl fine or really fine?” “I said I was fine.”
“What the fuck did you do, Payne?” I’d like to resent his automatic assumption that I’m at fault, but of course I am.
“Listen to you, dishing out advice while you’re hiding from your boyfriend.” “I’m not hiding… I’m giving us some time to breathe.” “And?” “I prefer breathing his air.”
“It’s funny how even when you’re pissed, you can’t help but show up to support him.” “It’s you I’m supporting.” “Mhmmm.”
Ginny doesn’t need a big gesture, just tell her how you feel. Well, no, actually first, you need to convince her to speak to you again.”
We should talk. It isn’t like we can avoid each other forever.” “Wouldn’t want to even if I could.” I’m at a loss for words and he takes my hand. “Just give me a chance to explain.”
You are my favorite person. You’re the only person I’d skip food for or that could convince me to eat Neapolitan ice cream or… a thousand other things. You. It’s only you. And when I walked in here, I fully intended to stand firm on my stance of never speaking the words, of keeping the best thing in my life away from my worst memories, but then I saw you and I realized that it doesn’t matter what it’s meant before. If loving you is wanting to spend every day with you, laughing and having fun, supporting you, and having your back, then I do. I love you, Ginny. Of course, I do.”
“He is happily married, young lady.” “I wonder if his wife gives him hall passes.” Heath chuckles. “Well, your boyfriend does not.”
