Page 70 of The Captain

Giddy anticipation consumes me for a moment before I turn back to him and see he’s still in the doorway. One hand is above him, and he leans against it, smiling at me with fondness.

“Can I see you this week?” he asks casually, remaining in that damn doorframe.

How about right now? I wish I could say. I also wish I could boldly strip off my robe and give him an inviting grin over my shoulder.

Maybe that confidence would come back. Some time.

“Okay,” I answer instead, but judging by the grin on his handsome face, you would have thought I’d sprawled out on the bed and asked him to have his way with me.

Instead, he nods, still grinning, and says, “Good night, Sunshine.”

“Good night, Muscles,” I reply, getting an even bigger grin before he disappears down the hallway.

I let the door close and walk over to the bed, still in my suit and robe, I collapse on top of the bed, staring at the starless ceiling.

It’s a long time before sleep finally pulls me under.

Twenty-Two

Cassie

Five Months Ago

Aggressive pounding against my door had me jumping from where I sat on the couch, reading. I had just settled in after a long day of classes and homework and was ready to unwind.

I’d texted Lincoln earlier, inviting him over, but he hadn’t replied, and I figured he was busy with something.

Now I wish he were here to answer the door.

“Cassie! I need to talk to you.” I got up quickly at the sound of his voice and marched over to the door, swinging it open with a smile.

What I saw on his face wiped the smile clean off.

“Lincoln?” I asked as he stormed past me, pacing in my living room like he did a week ago after finding out what happened at the end of my book.

This was a different kind of pacing, though. He was angry.

Dread filled me as I waited patiently for him to talk.

“I met my sister’s boyfriend,” he said, finally stopping his pacing and facing me. He barked out a sarcastic laugh and shook his head.

“Oh,” I said in response, unsure of how he wanted me to reply. He looked pissed, so obviously he wasn’t taking the news well.

“Yeah, and guess what?” he started, not waiting for me to guess. “It’s my fucking coach! My coach! Who is with me most days and didn’t have the balls to tell me he was with my sister?” He slaps his hands together like he needs to exert extra energy.

I walked over to the couch, perching on the armrest and letting him vent all his frustrations out. He would be fine once he realized how much he was overreacting, but I get that he’s surprised.

“Someone took a picture of them making out at some bar.” I flinched, hurt for my friend who had her privacy violated.

That sucked. I knew she and Tanner went all the way into Denver to get some space from Rose Hill so they could date without intrusion.

I would have to call her and make sure she was okay.

“Can you fucking believe this?” he said, his head hanging in defeat. “Of all the fucking women here, he had to go after my sister. She’s fifteen years younger than him!”

I knew how that looked, but I also knew that Mick was so mature for her age, and I’ve seen them together. Tanner would do anything to make her happy. Even hiding the relationship from her family until she was ready.

“I know how shocking it is at first, but they’re happy together,” I said, not thinking about what I would get in return.

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