Page 64 of Revenge Puck

My sister rolls her brown eyes while going over and fluffing the pillows on the sofa. “You don't have to get a hotel room to hook up with you girlfriend or whatever she is. If Elle’s going to stay over, I can just schedule a sleepover for me and Finley to get us out of your significantly shorter hair. It'll be fine.”

“You don't have to leave.”

“Trust me, it’s for my benefit more than yours. I don't want to stay and hear you two going at it all night.”

“That's not... we won’t be going at it. She just broke up with fucking Riley.”

“Poor girl. How long were they together?”

“Five months. He didn't think it was serious, but she did.”

“And he dumped her?”

“Right before the championships started.”

“Now you have another reason to hate him,” she murmurs while folding the blanket neatly and hanging it over the ottoman. “But you're smart to give her time, to avoid being a rebound.”

“That's exactly what I told her. I'm not sure if she agrees.”

“Well, it's still for the best.”

“Actually, Elle didn't mention where she would be staying. We only talked about dates.”

Pulling out my phone from my jogging pants pocket, I send her a quick message to ask if she wants to stay with me, addingthat I have two guests rooms, so she doesn't think I'm trying to pressure her into anything.

Her response comes instantly.

Elle:I think it's best if I book a hotel room while I’m in town.

“Dammit,” I mutter after reading her response.

“What?” Maya asks, coming over to try to peek at my phone before I put it away.

“Elle's getting a hotel room. I told her she could stay here...”

“Well, maybe that's for the best too, so you don't rush into anything when emotions are high after a win.”

“I don't like it. The thought of her staying somewhere else in the city alone every night.”

“Then let her stay in the hotel the first night, then bring her over to the house to visit the next day. Let her see the place before you ask her if she wants to cancel her room and sleep here.”

“Yeah, okay. I can do that.”

Really, the only person I have to blame for Elle not wanting to share a bed with me is myself. Even though I know it's best, it still sucks.

“Riley's still texting her as of last night,” I confess to my sister when she starts to head to the kitchen.

She stops in her tracks and says over her shoulder, “Probably only to hurt you because he thinks he can win her back.”

“Do you think she'll go back to him? They live in the same city. The asshole is being persistent, and they have a history...”

“No clue, Pres. That's another reason why taking things slow is a good idea.”

“True enough. But I hate it. I hate him.”

“I'll leave you to your cleaning,” she says with a sigh.

“Will you clean your room and Finley's?” I ask before she leaves.

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