by Rachel Jonas
“It isn’t that, I just—”
My gaze shifts back to Southside and I’m only in thought for a moment before I come up with a solution.
“Could you do me a favor?” I ask, hitting Vivian with another smile. “Would you mind giving these to that girl over near the door? The blonde with the pink hoodie?”
Vivian’s confused, so I do something I haven’t done anywhere near enough of in my lifetime. I tell the truth.
“Thing is, I messed up pretty badly with her, and I’m trying to make things right without pushing too hard,” I explain. “Can I convince you to give her my keys, so she can take my suite instead of wherever she’s been assigned?”
Hesitant, Vivian first glances at the keycards I’m holding, and then her gaze shifts up toward me again. She eventually takes the cards, but I don’t miss that her eyes are glistening more than they were a moment ago.
“Wow,” she breathes. “That’s very sweet of you.”
Now, if only I could get Southside to see it that way.
“I appreciate your help.”
“My pleasure. I was young once,” she adds with a smile. “Can I get you a different room? We have a few doubles still open if you’d like one.”
I pass a look toward Sterling and he’s already shaking his head, which draws a laugh out of me.
“I appreciate the offer, but that won’t be necessary,” I say, before slapping my hand to Sterling’s shoulder. “I think my brother has room for me.”
“Fuck you. You’re taking the floor,” he mumbles under his breath.
“Then, you gentlemen have a wonderful weekend,” Vivian pipes. “And I don’t know what you did, young man, but don’t give up trying to fix it. Seems like this girl’s pretty special to you.”
She winks and we leave the counter, two of us bound for the same room, apparently.
I catch Joss’s smile and shake my head, knowing she’s overheard and is about to spout some sappy shit.
“Very nice touch,” she says with a grin. “All you’re missing now are flowers.” Next thing I know, she plucks a brochure for a floral delivery service off the rack beside us and shoves it into my hand.
After that, I instruct them all to fall back, while I discreetly observe whether my plan is somehow about to backfire in my face. But, luckily, when Vivian gestures for Southside to approach the counter and hands her the keys to the room I just gave up, she doesn’t seem suspicious.
As a guy who never cared about shit like this before, I sure as hell care about it now.
I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me, Southside, but damn… I’m trying.
Chapter 13
WEST
Never played the part of a wallflower at a party before, but I guess there’s a first time for everything. Lucky me has a ringside seat of Sterling’s perverted ass grinding his dick all over some chick, passing it off as dancing. If I’m not a damn uncle by the end of this song, we’re living in a parallel universe.
I turn away when the girl spins toward him and practically eats his face with a sloppy, drunk kiss. He’s had more to drink than he should’ve, but that’s on Dane. He volunteered to keep an eye on Sterling while I keep an eye on the time.
There’s something I need to do in exactly thirty minutes.
While Dane is missing in action, Joss has basically been glued to my side the entire party, scrolling through her phone every other minute. That is, when she’s not frowning at The Sterling Show like I am.
I’ve tried not to notice, but she’s been all in the new guy’s DMs tonight. Which is why I’m certain Dane’s picked up on the interest between her and this dude going both ways. Long distance or not. It probably accounts for why my brother’s chosen not to keep eyes on his obsession tonight. My guess? He’s upstairs in a bedroom of this frat house, doing his best to fuck Joss right out of his head.
It won’t work, and I should know. Tried to do the exact same thing when I first realized I felt anything for Southside other than hatred.
“All right. I’m out. If I’m gonna make it back in time, I need to leave now.”
Joss shifts her weight off me so I can stand from the couch that hasn’t been in style since the seventies. She falls against a pillow now that I’m no longer there to lean on.
“Good luck,” she says distractedly, only looking up from her phone for a second. Then, she goes right back to scrolling.
“Thanks. I’ll need it.”
I push my way through the crowd and steal Sterling’s attention for a second.
“Keep an eye on Joss. Dane took off somewhere. Make sure you don’t leave without her.”
He nods and I’m headed toward the door. I nearly make it there, but a body bounces between me and the threshold.
Blonde hair cascades over bare shoulders and, for a second, I mistake the girl for Southside. Doesn’t take longer than a second to realize the mistake, though. For one, she’s smiling up at me, which is a dead giveaway. If she was scowling or punching me in the face, that’d be more like it.
The chick’s wearing a too-small tank top that barely contains her tits, leaving me to guess that she’s somehow missed that winter practically has us by the ass already. Her grin widens and it isn’t lost on me that she’s my type, the kind of girl I usually have on her back and/or knees by the end of the night. A tiny hand reaches up for my shoulder, pulling me lower to match her height.
“You weren’t leaving were you?” she leans in to say, letting her chest brush my bicep when asking.
I glance toward the clock on the wall and nod. “Yeah, I have something to take care of.”
She pouts, real dramatic-like. “You’re one of the players from North Cypress, right?”
I nod again, not surprised she knows. There are groupies who follow our schedules, make sure to be where they think they’ll land in our paths.
“I am.”
“West Golden?” she asks with a smile. “Sometimes I get you, Dane, and Sterling mixed up, but your tatts give you away. Theirs are different.”
Girl’s done her homework.
“I’m Tiffany,” she shares. “I drove up with some of my friends from South Cypress.”
“Nice to meet you, Tiffany, but I really need to get going.”
I’m about to push past her when she says more, stopping me in my tracks.
“So, you’re really gonna let Blue keep making a fool of you?” she asks, bringing my eyes to hers. She opens the front door she once stood in front of, and gestures for me to follow her outside. Curious as to why she just said Southside’s name like she knows her, I take the bait.
We step over a bunch of drunk fucks and stop on the sidewalk.
“I’ve been keeping up with Pandora’s posts, how you’ve been trying to get Blue to forgive you since the video got released,” she explains. “I know people have different theories about what happened, but I think you shared it. Probably because she pissed you off or something. Then, once it was out there, you realized you fucked up, tried to apologize, now she’s holding a grudge.”
I don’t know what to say to that, hearing a mixture of truth blended with misguided assumptions.
“But… you have to know you’re better than that, right? I mean, you could have any girl in this damn state,” Tiffany says with a laugh.
“I don’t know about that,” I answer distractedly, glancing down at my watch. I really need to go.
“Honestly, if she was smart, she’d thank you,” Tiffany reasons. “You did her ass a favor releasing that vid. People at South Cypress mostly thought she was a prude. One of those good girl types.”
My brow quirks.
“Good girl?”
Tiffany nods. “I mean, her family’s a shitshow, but Blue’s always been kind of a snob, giving boys the cold shoulder and shit like that. Only guy I think she’s ever really opened up to besides you is Ruiz.”
“Ruiz? What’s his first name?” I ask quickly, thinking she might’ve just said something useful.
/>
“Ricky. He graduated a couple years ago, but everybody knew she was his girl. You know, until she wasn’t.”
Listening, my jaw is tense for several reasons. For one, hearing about Southside and Ricky together always rubs me the wrong way. But what’s more interesting is finding out she’s somehow managed to keep a good-girl rep. Even with her family being anything but good from what I’ve seen.
“So, what do you say I give you a break from all the public groveling?”
A set of deep blue eyes flash up at me, and I’m no stranger to the look she’s giving. When her hands find my waist, I already know what she’s thinking.
“My friend’s car is right over there, and I have the keys,” she says with a quick tip of her chin. “Let me take your mind off Blue for the night. You know, get you loosened up before tomorrow’s big game?”
Licking her lips, one of her hands leaves my waist and slides to my dick. While I’d like to say the offer isn’t tempting, it appeals more to my ego than any other part of me, but… it doesn’t feel right.
She seems shocked when I take her shoulders and put distance between us, wondering what the hell I’m doing right now. However, I’m ninety-five percent sure I just did the right thing. The other five percent thinks I’m crazy to turn down a sure thing.
“Thanks, but… no,” I say as politely as I can, then turn my back on the mistake I could’ve made tonight.
“You’re too good to beg for any girl’s attention, West,” Tiffany calls out behind me. “I DM’d you. Hit me up if you change your mind. Tonight. Or… whenever.”
Walk it off, dude.
Walk. It. Off.
You’re doing the right thing.
@QweenPandora: Well, well, well… what have we here?
Seems everyone’s fave quarterback isn’t much in the mood for partying. He was spotted leaving the pre-game soireé long before it ended. AND is it possible he’s taking himself out of the dating game, too?
This NewGirl lookalike got left high and dry after a clear play for North Cypress royalty. The pics tell it all, and I think it’s safe to assume KingMidas has had his fill of the opposite sex for a bit. Or perhaps his legs are just tired after chasing his tail, trying to earn NewGirl’s forgiveness.
Just putting it out there, KingMidas. NewGirl might not think you’re worthy, but your effort definitely hasn’t gone unnoticed. There’s now a swarm of fangirls with a hashtag campaign trending on social media who’d LOVE to give you a chance to break their hearts.
Desperate much, ladies?
But… who am I to judge?
*shrug*
Later, Peeps.
—P
Chapter 14
BLUE
My body sinks into the mattress. The one sent straight from heaven. Basking in the realistic glow of LED candles housekeeping situated around the room, I grin from ear-to-ear and make the equivalent to a snow angel on the now rumpled sheets. The towel around my hair and the robe I found in the closet are, legit, made of clouds and love.
This has to be what paradise is like.
Has to be.
“And the lady just handed you the keys?” Jules asks.
“Yup. Either someone made a huge mistake, or Dr. Pryor pulled some strings because she knows life’s sucked a little lately.”
“Lucky bitch,” Jules teases.
She sat on the phone with me while I soaked in the heart-shaped jacuzzi, and stayed on, keeping me company while I explore the amazing suite I lucked up on. It’s made staying inside while everyone else is out partying a little easier.
“Well, now I’m really wishing I was there with you. But at least I was able to keep my promise. I’m there in spirit. Or… in spirits,” she adds with a laugh, prompting my eyes to drift toward the dwindling bottle of vodka she slipped into my bag. She snuck it in sometime after I packed it, to get me through this weekend.
Best. Friend. Ever.
I’ve gone through enough of it to feel a buzz. Well, maybe a little more than a buzz, but I wouldn’t call it drunk, either. Actually, I feel pretty damn good. More relaxed than I’ve felt in weeks.
“This is the life,” I say with a sigh, wiggling my toes toward the mirrored ceiling.
I have yet to dig clothes out of my suitcase, and I’m starting to think I might just spend the night in this robe. Hell, if I could get away with it, I’d wear it to tomorrow’s game, too.
“Well, whatever happened, you deserve it,” Jules concludes. I smile at that, trying to believe what she just said.
A sharp knock has my heart racing, and I sit straight up in bed.
“Someone’s at the door,” I whisper.
Laughing, Jules whispers back. “Then answer it, weirdo.”
I stand, securing my robe tighter. “What if it’s the front desk coming to kick me out because they realize they messed up?”
She laughs again. “Then I guess you’d have to get your shit and go. I don’t know! Just open the damn door!”
I approach slowly, peering out through the peephole. A guy in a baseball cap is waiting there, glancing up when he must’ve heard me on the other side.
“Yes? Who is it?” I ask.
“Uh… I just have a delivery,” he says, glancing down at something before meeting my gaze again. “Looks like it’s for someone by the name of Blue Riley?”
“He knows my name,” I whisper to Jules.
“You’re an idiot,” she says back.
Reluctant, I leave the chain link engaged, but open the door a smidge. Only, when I do, there’s no question why he’s here. He greets me with a smile and holds out a small clipboard for me to sign as proof of accepting the delivery.
Quickly relatching the door, I slide the chain off and open it completely this time, signing my name at light speed.
“That’ll do,” the stranger says chipperly. “Need help taking these inside?”
Stunned, I glance down at what has to be about twenty dozen roses, all set in beautiful crystal vases.
“Uh… no, I can manage,” I answer distractedly. “Thank you.”
He tips his hat, and then it’s just me and the flowers. Well, me, the flowers, and also Jules in my ear, asking what’s happening. Only, I’m not really sure how to explain.
“Flowers,” I say, questioning if I’ve had more to drink than I remember, and I’ve dozed off.
“What? From who?”
I hadn’t even thought to check, but when I stoop to look for a card, there isn’t one I can see.
“I don’t know. Maybe whoever was supposed to have this room?” I say, but then remember the delivery guy knew my name.
Taking a quick glance down the hallway, I don’t spot anyone. Still feeling confused as hell, I get started taking the arrangements inside, placing them on the table, dresser, and then along the edges of the room among the LED candles when I run out of surfaces.
“Did you do this?” I ask, drawing a laugh out of Jules.
“I love you, but not that damn much,” she teases. “Does Ricky know you’re there, maybe?”
“Not unless you told him. Then again, Pandora knows, so it’s not like it’s a secret.”
“Truth,” is Jules’s only response.
I’m down to the last vase and head back to the hall to grab it. My head’s still reeling when I snatch the door open, only expecting to see that last arrangement waiting for me, but—
My heart drops to my stomach. Because there’s a tall, broad-framed figure standing on the other side of the threshold. Dressed in dark jeans and a gray t-shirt that clings to his biceps and chest. He’s clutching his jacket in one hand, and holding the last vase in the other. Then, when I finally peer up, a set of green eyes that have been my undoing since day one burn a hole right through me.
They’re softer than I remember, swimming with emotion I hardly thought him capable of feeling, but… there it is. Plain as day. And damn my stupid heart for being affected.
My shoulders heave beneath the robe and I’m still
raw. His recent offense is still burned into memory, still burned into my flesh, making it painful to stare at him now, but I can’t turn away.
“What the hell do you want, West?”
“Just to talk,” he answers. “That’s the only thing I’ve asked you for all week.”
I stare up at him, feeling the rims of my nostrils flaring. “Call you back, Jules,” I say into the speaker on my earbuds.
“And I’ll be expecting a full rundown of—”
Cutting her off, I end the call and shove the earbuds into the pocket of my robe, never taking my eyes off West.
Whether I think he deserves it or not, he has my attention.
“This was you?” I ask, glancing down at the flowers he’s holding.
He nods, thoughtfully biting the side of his lip before speaking. “And the room.”
My heart sinks when he says that, realizing this whole weekend has been orchestrated by his hand. I swallow and straighten my posture, feeling the need to pretend I wasn’t impressed with the accommodations whatsoever.
“Well, either way, I’m not letting you in. So, you should just go,” I finally answer. But when I move to close the door in his face, his words halt me.
“I know the last fucking thing you want to hear is my voice, but… shit. I can’t stand this anymore,” he admits.
I hate that I hesitate, keeping my hand on the door when it should be closed, acting as a barrier between us. But instead, I’m listening to my heart thunder inside me.
“Please,” he says. “I’m… I’m fucking begging, Southside.”
Those words weren’t easy for him to say. It sounded as if he had to pry them from the roof of his mouth, and now he wants to rinse his tongue clean of them. But as hard as they seem to have been to say, they sure as hell aren’t easy to hear, either. Because he still affects me, whether I like it or not.
“I gave in and trusted you once, West, and it turned out to be the worst mistake of my life,” I force out, keeping my back to the door while he speaks from the other side.
