Second Down (Moving the Chains Book 2) (24 page)

              “
Nothing
is going on!” My voice echoes in the darkness.

              “Yeah, that’s what I thought. I just wanted you to say it.”

              I’m too tired for this bullshit. I throw open the passenger door of the Lady and dump my backpack on the seat. “Whatever the fuck that’s supposed to mean. I gotta go. I need to drop Trevor’s phone off before I can go home and pass out.”

              Alex steps between me and the car, blocking my escape. “You’re afraid of hurting her, aren’t you?”

              The blood drains from my face. It takes every ounce of control not to sway on my feet.

              “Jesus, Rob. Most guys would kill to be hung like you. Just take it slow and easy. You’re not Eddie, and you’re not Jackson. Yeah, it’s not gonna be comfortable for her the first few times, but you’ll make it work.”

              “Are you…” I sputter. “Are you giving me advice on how to have sex with my own girlfriend?”

              Relief floods my veins. Sex-obsessed Alex I can handle; mind-reader Alex is a big no.

              For his part, his cheeks flush. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Alex blush. He shrugs, trying to play it cool. “You’re new to the game. Just figured I’d give you a few pointers. Nothing I wouldn’t do for any of my brothers.”

              I step around him. “David is twelve, and James is fourteen. Please tell me they’re not having sex yet. And I seriously don’t need you to teach me how to make love to Evie. Being a virgin doesn’t make me stupid. Pretty sure I can figure out how tab A fits into slot B.”

              Alex’s harsh bark of laughter hangs on the night air. “Most guys aren’t trying to fit an eight-inch tab into a tight, brand-new slot.” He leans against the roof of my car. “And you’re such a pussy. Only you would call it ‘making love.’”

              I open my driver’s side door and shake my head. “You’re calling
me
a pussy? I’m pretty sure we just had a heart to heart where you gave me advice on dicking. Besides, for someone who loves pussy so much, you throwing around the term like it’s an insult makes absolutely no sense.”

              His eyes widen as if he’d never considered that before. “Damn. You’re right. Pussy really should be the highest compliment I could pay a person. Rob, you’re such a pussy. Now start acting like one and be a fucking five-star quarterback again.”

              I roll my eyes. “I’ll get right on that, dick.”

              His laughter cuts off when I slam my door closed. I wait until he’s squealing tire to drop my head to the steering wheel. How many lies can I possibly juggle? Even if they’re well-meaning, eventually this is all gonna come back to bite me in the ass.

              I can’t keep going on this way.

              I’m hurting my team by trying to protect Evie.

              The bigger question pounding my brain is…am I hurting Evie too?

Chapter 26

My Skin

Eva

              Alarm set for the morning, check.

              Book to read until I fall asleep, check.

              Comfy PJs, contacts out, face washed, check.

              Alyssa and Jeremy making out in the other bed, gross.

              I get the feeling that they’re at least trying to keep it under control over there, and I definitely wasn’t surprised when he knocked on the door a half hour ago, but still. I’m in the next bed over, for the love of God.

We have to be up ass-early for the noon kickoff for the State Championships tomorrow morning. I’ll be partially responsible for making sure everyone is accounted for, all instruments and equipment are ready to go and loaded up into the trucks for the short drive to the stadium, and be checked out of our hotel rooms by nine in the morning.

I had planned on spending a relaxing evening to prep for the long day tomorrow. It’s been so long since I’ve had time to read for pleasure, but dammit, I cannot concentrate on the words in front of my face with all the moaning and groaning going on not two feet away.

              Couldn’t they at least do whatever it is they’re doing over there in silence?

              Apparently not.

              This hotel room isn’t big enough for all three of us, but it’s after ten, and I don’t want to lug my boxer shorts-clad ass down to the lobby to read until these two get off and fall asleep. I’ve roomed with Alyssa on just about every overnight trip since freshman year; this has never been an issue before, so why now? If she wanted to spend the night with Jeremy in the past, she was the one to leave me alone in the room. The trips that they couldn’t get away with an all-nighter, a big group of us would pile into one room and watch a movie together, and they would just indulge in a few extra touches and kisses, but nothing as hot and heavy as this. Hell, on those kinds of trips, Jess and Ash were way worse with the PDAs.

              Sneaking a glance out of the corner of my eye to the other occupied bed in the room, one thing becomes crystal clear. This isn’t making out. This is foreplay. I’m going to have to lock myself in the bathroom. It’s my only option.

              As if she can read my mind, Alyssa finally pulls her face away from Jeremy’s throat long enough to cast a pointed glance in my direction. “Uh, Evie? Aren’t you going to go, I don’t know...see Rob?”

              Oh. That’s what’s changed. I have a boyfriend now.

              “Um, I wasn’t planning on it. The team’s curfew was nine, and I’m not even sure how you got past the chaperones roaming the halls.” I gesture with my book towards Jeremy. Our curfew isn’t until eleven, but I know for a fact that the band parents are out in full force in an effort to keep the shenanigans to a minimum.

              He gives me a lopsided smile before rolling his eyes. “Jesus, I keep forgetting you’re new at this.”

              Scoffing at him, I put my nose back in the book to try and find my place now that they’ve both come up for air. I’ve just begun reading again when Alyssa puts her hand on the page, pushing the novel down into my lap.

              “Evie, you know I wouldn’t ask if there weren’t any other options for you, but please? We hardly ever get the luxury of a bed, and Keith and his girlfriend already claimed Jeremy’s room.”

              I’m being kicked out of my own hotel room by my friends. I am actually going to have to go read in the lobby for a while. Sighing, I climb out of the bed with my book, resting my hand on my hip and glaring at the dynamic duo. “All right, fine. How long do you want me gone?”

              Alyssa fixes me with a curious expression. “Uh, all night? It’s kind of a rare occurrence that you want to savor when you get the chance, ya know?”

              Yeah, I get that. I’ve only had two blissful nights with Rob. “I can’t sleep in the lobby tonight. I’ll give you guys two hours, then I’m coming back up to sleep.”

              “Oh my God, Evie. No one expects you to sleep in the lobby.” Jeremy has to pant for breath between his wild laughter. “Go sleep with Rob. He’s been waiting for you to show up. You know how shy the dude is, so you can guess why he hasn’t called to beg. He’s in room 634.”

              “What if I get caught by someone?”  

              If I thought he was laughing at me before, Jeremy really loses his shit now. “Trust me, no one is going to blink an eye at the star quarterback’s girlfriend going to his room. It’s kind of an unwritten tradition. The guys who have girls always get serviced before a big game.”

              A furious blush heats my cheeks. “What if Rob’s not even there? What if Alex took over their room?”

              “Oh, Alex already left for the night. I passed him up on my way here.” Jeremy shoots down my last hope with ease. Damn him.

              I know what I have to do. I’m just stuck in this moment, struggling with this new warped reality. I’m going to have to go knock on my boyfriend’s door, hope I don’t get busted by any chaperones, and pray that he’s not only still awake, but doesn’t outright reject me. Rationally, I know he won’t turn me away. We’ve slept together, before. But…he’s been distant ever since Homecoming. I know he’s busy and overwhelmed with the playoffs, but I can’t shrug off the feeling that he’s regretting his decision to take me back.

I could’ve spent tonight snug in my own bed, inhaling a nice, easy romance novel, and forgetting my own problems, but nooooo. Instead, I’m going to barge into Rob’s hotel room, and be weirdly jealous of all the other football girlfriends who probably are servicing their guys while mine looks at me and still sees a day that I can’t even remember. If I thought my life was fucked up before, it’s a damn comedic tragedy now.

              I stalk to the dresser, collect my cell, and tuck my book under my arm before slipping on my shoes to head out. At least if Rob goes to sleep, I can lose myself in fantasy for a bit instead of feeling sorry for myself. Bidding my horny friends goodnight, I’m not even out the door before they’re going back at each other.

              I can’t help but wonder what that’s like. Funny how much my perspective has changed in just a few short months. I started this year with a solid game plan to keep Rob away. Now that he’s mine, he barely touches me. And I hate that.

              I look both ways in the hall and amuse myself by playing spy to get to his room undetected.

              Of course, that act comes crashing down in flames when I round a corner and run right into Coach Johnson. Naturally.

              He bends down to retrieve the items that flew out of my hands when we collided, handing them over and shooting me an easy smile. “Sorry ‘bout that, darlin’. You headin’ over to Falls’ room?”

              My first instinct is to lie, but what’s the point? I’m busted, fair and square. “Yes, sir. I kind of...don’t want to sleep in the lobby tonight.”

              I expect him to turn around and march me back, then raise hell with my roommate and boot out the male in our room like any responsible chaperone should, but no.

              Coach throws his head back and laughs. “Wouldn’t hear of that, young lady. Just don’t keep my boy up too late. I need him sharp and ready to play tomorrow.”

              He winks at me, then rounds the corner, whistling as he goes.

              I guess Jeremy wasn’t kidding about that unofficial tradition. It must be like the bonfires. All the parents know; they just choose to turn a blind eye. This knowledge should bring me relief, but it just makes me feel seedy and weird. The band chaperones certainly aren’t that cool. It pisses me off that the football team is held to a different standard, but it’s really no big surprise. That’s just the way things are around here. Football trumps everything else.

              I knock on Rob’s door and send up a little prayer that he’s not already asleep. The idea of sleeping in the lobby and being vulnerable, at the mercy of any stranger to walk by, sends that old, familiar fear racing up my spine. If worse comes to worse, I can always text Patty and see if I can crash in their room. They drove up with the team earlier.

              No answer. Shit, he’s probably already asleep. Knowing Rob’s schedule, he must’ve passed out as soon as Alex left. He never even calls me most nights. He’s in bed by nine.

              I give it one more try because it’s obvious I’m not going to be apprehended by any of the football staff.

              The door swings open to reveal a confused Rob, his hair sticking up at weird angles, and clothed only in pajama pants. “Hey, my girl. Jeremy and Alyssa finally kick you out?”

              He opens the door wider for me to step in without waiting for my reply. When I turn to face him, he’s already closing and relocking the door, flipping the latch before rounding on me.

              “Yeah, how did you know?”

              Rob yawns and scratches at his crazy hair. He looks so damn cute I just want to lick him. I don’t often get to see him shirtless and so...boyish. His childlike mannerisms are a stark contrast to the toned muscles of his bare chest and arms. The way he’s rubbing at his sleepy eyes with his sleep-mussed hair lends my imagination to picture him clutching a worn teddy bear in one hand and a tattered blanket in the other.

      “Oh, he, uh, texted me when you guys got here and worked out all the arrangements for tonight.”

              “What does that mean?”

              “He told me that Keith wanted their room, so he was going to yours, you were coming here, and Alex was going…somewhere.”

              Huh. Apparently, they had this all worked out. Too bad I was the last to know. “Well, why didn’t you call and tell me this?”